Colin Lee News

Symphony Space, New York's home for innovative and diverse cultural programming on the Upper West Side, celebrates its 35th season of Music programs in 2013-14 with a stellar array of artists in imaginative, thought-provoking presentations. Curated by Artistic Director Laura Kaminsky, the offerings range from marathon celebrations to intimate recitals, encompassing a rich variety of musical styles. Highlights include a visit from Krzysztof Penderecki, October 25; the fifth THE MUSIC OF NOW MARATHON, with the dream-inspired theme of 'REM: Rapid Ear Movement,' February 1; and appearances by Dar Williams, Tom Paxton, Christine Lavin, and other icons of folk/acoustic music. Capping the season is SLEEPING AROUND, a multidisciplinary festival celebrating the culture, history, art, scene, and scandal of New York's most famous hotels, highlighted by WALL TO WALL SLEEPING AROUND on May 3.

The Metropolitan Opera (The Met) has just announced that Marco Armiliato will conduct Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia on February 15 and 18 matinee, replacing Maurizio Benini, who has withdrawn for personal reasons. Armiliato, who is currently conducting Verdi's Aida and Ernani, will now be conducting six out of seven Met performances this week. This is the highest number of performances for a conductor in a single week in Met history.

Rossini's comic favorite Il Barbiere di Siviglia returns to the Met today for a 14-performance run featuring two extraordinary casts in Bartlett Sher's hit production. In the first cast, Peter Mattei, who starred in the 2007 Live in HD transmission of the opera, reprises his acclaimed portrayal of Figaro, the jack-of-all-trades whose services to the people of Seville go far beyond cutting hair.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-12 season will feature the world's leading singers, conductors, and stage directors in seven new productions, including a world premiere, a Met premiere, and the first complete performances of a new Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle conducted by Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage.

Rossini's comic favorite Il Barbiere di Siviglia returns to the Met on October 1 for a 14-performance run featuring two extraordinary casts in Bartlett Sher's hit production. In the first cast, Peter Mattei, who starred in the 2007 Live in HD transmission of the opera, reprises his acclaimed portrayal of Figaro, the jack-of-all-trades whose services to the people of Seville go far beyond cutting hair.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-12 season will feature the world's leading singers, conductors, and stage directors in seven new productions, including a world premiere, a Met premiere, and the first complete performances of a new Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle conducted by Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage.