John MacFarlane News

If you came for anything other than wall-to-wall superlatives for the Royal Ballet’s A-team and Liam Scarlett’s superior production of Swan Lake then you’ll be disappointed with this review, because yet again, for the fourth time in six years, ballet heaven is delivered with a side of perfection. It may be programmed regularly but on this showing it’s little wonder why. 

Witness the epic transformation of the Winspear Opera House as we load in Strauss’ ‘Elektra’ set in this mesmerizing time-lapse.

This Spring, The Royal Ballet's sumptuous production of Swan Lake returns to the Royal Opera House's Main Stage. Opening in Spring and returning in Summer, the production remains to this day one of the best-loved works in the classical ballet canon, demanding delicacy, grace, and strong, virtuosic technique from the dancers that take on its central roles.  

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by the charismatic Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki, will perform the world premiere of GRAMMY Award-nominated American composer Lowell Liebermann's Flute Concerto No. 2 on March 21, 2024 at Symphony Center.

The Joffrey Ballet continues their 2023-24 season with a mixed rep program titled 'Studies in Blue,' featuring captivating and meditative original works by Liam Scarlett and Andrew McNicol.

The Joffrey Ballet presents 'Studies in Blue' with original works by Liam Scarlett, Andrew McNicol, and a world premiere by Stina Quagebeur from February 15-25, 2024.

Distinguished Composer Lowell Liebermann curates Thornwillow Concerts At Calvary in Newburgh, NY. GRAMMY-Award winning organist Paul Jacobs performs on the newly restored historic Skinner Pipe Organ at Calvary Presbyterian Church on November 4, 2023.

Following the sell-out success of Black Sabbath -The Ballet this autumn, the award-winning Birmingham Royal Ballet will make a spectacular return to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage this Christmas with their beloved staging of Sir Peter Wright's The Nutcracker.

Piano version of Lowell Liebermann's Frankenstein Suite will be premiered in the US on October 10, 2023. The performance will take place at the Crypt Chapel in New York City. Full program and ticket information available.

The Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Andreas Delfs, will make its American debut at Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall on October 9, 2023 at 8 p.m. EDT. Learn how to purchase tickets!

The Joffrey Ballet opens its 68th season with the highly anticipated Chicago premiere of Liam Scarlett's critically acclaimed interpretation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, Chicago's flagship ensemble covering the full spectrum of classical chamber music, has announced its 34th concert season, 2023-2024, comprising five programs to be performed at venues in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois.

At a press conference held at Meridian Hall, the Toronto Alliance for the  Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 228 nominations for the 43rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto for the 2022-2023 season. Also announced at the press conference was the recipient of the Province of Ontario’s Pauline McGibbon Award. 

The reviews are in for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love in London's West End! See what the critics had to say!

Wagner’s ghostly drama Der Fliegende Holländer returns to the Met for four performances, May 30–June 10.

 The Dallas Opera’s 2023/2024 Season has been announced! See how to purchase tickets!

Ruthless ambition, supernatural forces, and cold-blooded violence collide in the Canadian Opera Company’s thrilling new Macbeth featuring epic sets and costumes, and the powerhouse vocals of Quinn Kelsey and Sondra Radvanovsky.

The Joffrey Ballet's 2023–2024 Season at Lyric Opera House, has been announced featuring a Chicago debut of a full-length gothic masterpiece set in the dawn of modern science; a mixed rep program featuring a world premiere, and more.

Based on the beloved fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, HANSEL AND GRETEL gets a whimsical makeover in this popular production. Watch director Eric Einhorn bringing this production to life on stage.

A classic fairytale returns to life as Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel comes to Lyric Opera of Chicago in a universally acclaimed production, back by popular demand for six performances, January 25–February 3, 2023.