Scott Allen News

The Handel and Haydn Society (H+H), led by Artistic Director Harry Christophers, opens the 2014-2015 Bicentennial Season on October 10 and 12 with the joyous program, Baroque Fireworks! H+H turns 200. The celebration continues with performances of historically significant works that H+H introduced to American audiences in the 19th century (Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Haydn's Creation). The Bicentennial Season culminates in the spring and summer with an interactive exhibit at the Boston Public Library exploring H+H's history, a world premiere work by prominent American composer Gabriela Lena Frank, and a free outdoor performance of Beethoven's epic Ninth Symphony ('Ode to Joy').

At the beginning of this year, a new theatre-centric podcast debuted, and has been supplying extremely insightful and heartfelt stories ever since. One of the show's charms is the amount of love and appreciation that host Patrick Hinds shows each guest. For their most recent episode, Hinds interviewed Tony-winner Karen Olivo, and what resulted was a moving hour of conversation. Olivo has been one of Broadway's most talented stars for over a decade, but in 2013, she decide to 'retire' and leave New York City.

On Monday, July 21, 2014, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization who for the past 10 years has been dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, announced the 2014 nominees at its annual event. Celebrating ten years and thousands of nominees, the IT PARTY took place at XL Night Club, 512 West 42nd Street.

Overlooking their summer home on the Esplanade, Boston Landmarks Orchestra staff, board, sponsors, and partners gathered yesterday morning (albeit snowy) at the Goethe-Institut where Music Director Christopher Wilkins revealed the 2014 collaborative and inclusive civic celebrations of music and programs in Boston's neighborhood. This summer's free concerts at the DCR's Hatch Shell selections are inspired by a wonderful range of the world's musical traditions. Concerts will be held every Wednesday evening (7pm) beginning today, July 16 thru August 27, 2014.

The DCR's Hatch Shell on the Esplanade comes alive with orchestral splendor on Wednesday evenings during July and August, as the Boston Landmarks Orchestra returns for its 2014 main series.

Handel and Haydn Society musicians will present three chamber-sized performances to audiences across Northeastern Massachusetts. H+H's expanded presence stems from strategic initiatives to broaden H+H's audience as it prepares for its upcoming Bicentennial Season.

Handel and Haydn Society musicians will present three chamber-sized performances to audiences across Northeastern Massachusetts. H+H's expanded presence stems from strategic initiatives to broaden H+H's audience as it prepares for its upcoming Bicentennial Season.

Overlooking their summer home on the Esplanade, Boston Landmarks Orchestra staff, board, sponsors, and partners gathered yesterday morning (albeit snowy) at the Goethe-Institut where Music Director Christopher Wilkins revealed the 2014 collaborative and inclusive civic celebrations of music and programs in Boston's neighborhood. This summer's free concerts at the DCR's Hatch Shell selections are inspired by a wonderful range of the world's musical traditions. Concerts will be held every Wednesday evening (7pm) beginning July 16 thru August 27, 2014. For more information and schedule visit www.landmarksorchestra.org. Check out the details for each concert below!

For the love of a great country, men and women join the Armed Forces in their continued fight to protect the people of the United States of America. Once enrolled and accepted, a volunteer belong to a government family that will come first. Any other family is secondary. Once in, each recruit's life is changed forever. That person prior to signing the contract is now a soldier, a fighter, a killing machine if necessary before beginning any career goals. Feelings will be lost within oneself due to the combat training each experience brings. And it will be difficult to walk away from what could have been a perfect structured lifestyle.

The Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) and Artistic Director Harry Christophers have announced H+H's 2014-2015 Season-its 200th-featuring the Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus performing works from the Baroque and Classical eras. Highlights include a collection of some of the greatest oratorios ever written, stellar guest artists, and two brilliant showcases for H+H Concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky. The season opens with a concert that commemorates H+H's first public program at Boston's King's Chapel on December 25, 1815.

Two of New England's most venerable cultural institutions, the Handel and Haydn Society (H&H) and the Museum of African American History (MAAH), team up for the Jubilee Concert on New Year's Eve, an afternoon of music and storytelling observing the 151st anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, a Civil War order granting freedom to enslaved men, women, and children living in states in rebellion.

Tenor Nicholas Phan will kick off his 2013-14 season as one of the prime voices heard in celebrations of the composer's centenary as they culminate this fall. Today, September 5, Phan helps launch Trinity Wall Street's four-month Celebrating Britten Festival with the orchestral song cycle Nocturne. The tenor also curates the 2013 Collaborative Works Festival as the Artistic Director of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, performing Britten's Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac and The Heart of the Matter, plus folk-song arrangements by Beethoven (Sept 11-15). Phan and pianist Myra Huang then embark on a U.S. recital tour - starting at Trinity Wall Street on September 21 - with a program juxtaposing Britten and Schubert.

Tenor Nicholas Phan will kick off his 2013-14 season as one of the prime voices heard in celebrations of the composer's centenary as they culminate this fall. On September 5, Phan helps launch Trinity Wall Street's four-month Celebrating Britten Festival with the orchestral song cycle Nocturne. The tenor also curates the 2013 Collaborative Works Festival as the Artistic Director of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, performing Britten's Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac and The Heart of the Matter, plus folk-song arrangements by Beethoven (Sept 11-15). Phan and pianist Myra Huang then embark on a U.S. recital tour - starting at Trinity Wall Street on September 21 - with a program juxtaposing Britten and Schubert.

Bit of a Stretch Theatre Company is running in full gear, preparing for the opening of their annual summertime production. Notorious for excelling at demanding and lesser known pieces, Bit of a Stretch Theatre Company provides Houston audiences unique musical experiences and challenges them to redefine their stereotypical notions of 'musical theater.' This summer Bit of a Stretch is presenting audiences with another piece of work from composer and lyricist Adam Guettel, MYTHS & HYMNS. I recently sat down with Emma Martinsen, Wiley DeWeese, and Erin Cressy to discuss their upcoming production.

As “a major new Britten interpreter” (New York Times) with two hit Britten albums to his name, tenor Nicholas Phan is set to be a prime mover in this year's celebrations of the English composer's centennial.Summer sees Phan undertake the SERENADE FOR TENOR, HORNS AND STRINGS at Portland's Chamber Music Northwest (July 22 & 23) and, with Eric Jacobsen and The Knights, at a Naumburg Orchestral Concert in New York's Central Park (July 30) and the Ravinia Festival (Sep 3).

Ka-Tet Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of SMUDGE by two-time Emmy Award-winning writer Rachel Axler, directed by Allison Shoemaker, playing May 25 - June 23, 2013 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. SMUDGE features Ka-Tet company members Stevie Chaddock Lambert and Scott Allen Luke with Andrew Marchetti. Check out a first look below!

Ka-Tet Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of SMUDGE by two-time Emmy Award-winning writer Rachel Axler, directed by Allison Shoemaker, playing May 25 - June 23, 2013 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. SMUDGE features Ka-Tet company members Stevie Chaddock Lambert and Scott Allen Luke with Andrew Marchetti.

Ka-Tet Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of SMUDGE by two-time Emmy Award-winning writer Rachel Axler, directed by Allison Shoemaker, playing May 25 - June 23, 2013 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. SMUDGE features Ka-Tet company members Stevie Chaddock Lambert and Scott Allen Luke with Andrew Marchetti.