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REVIEWS
Anne Valdespino
Jan 68 min read
Five Standout Spots at River Street Marketplace
The newest addition to downtown San Juan Cap offers sophisticated shops and restaurants while retaining the city's Western vibe. Drone...
Eric Marchese
Nov 4, 20244 min read
SCR World Premiere Paints A New Portrait of Joan Rivers
REVIEW: Tessa Auberjonois’ uncanny, tour-de-force realization of the icon elevates Daniel Goldstein’s script. Even if you think you...
Timothy Mangan
Oct 14, 20244 min read
London Philharmonic Provides Luxury Tchaikovsky but is Outshone by Soloist
REVIEW: Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja put on a show with Shostakovich. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, led by its principal...
Timothy Mangan
Sep 27, 20244 min read
St.Clair Opens His 35th Pacific Symphony Season with Nostalgic Agenda
REVIEW: Duplicating his first program, he all but admits it’s his final season. It’s been a long time. Thursday night, in Segerstrom...
Paul Hodgins
Aug 7, 20246 min read
Just How Great is Great Park Live?
We assess Irvine’s shiny new “temporary” amphitheater during a recent Pacific Symphony performance. Outdoor venues in Orange County, past...
Timothy Mangan
May 17, 20244 min read
Tianyi Lu Leads Pacific Symphony in a Singing Account of Sibelius
REVIEW: The young conductor from New Zealand makes a big impression in the composer’s Second Symphony, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No....
Timothy Mangan
Apr 26, 20244 min read
Shiyeon Sung Leads Pacific Symphony in Impressive Performance of Tchaikovsky
REVIEW: The Korean conductor, the first woman to try out for the orchestra’s music directorship, exhibits authority and intelligence....
Eric Marchese
Apr 21, 20246 min read
With 'Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical,' SCR Adds New Wrinkles to the Play it Originated 36 Years Ago
REVIEW: Playwright Craig Lucas and company have, for better or worse, wrought a different theatrical animal, seemingly missing key...
Eric Marchese
Apr 5, 202410 min read
‘Prelude to a Kiss’ Reemerges in a Whole New Form at SCR
South Coast Repertory originated Craig Lucas’s play in 1988. Now Lucas, SCR and others have created an all-new musical version. The...
Timothy Mangan
Mar 15, 20244 min read
Prieto and Pacific Take the Fifth (Mahler’s, That Is)
REVIEW: In an impressive reading of the composer’s symphony, Carlos Miguel Prieto makes his case for the orchestra’s directorship. We’ve...
Timothy Mangan
Feb 23, 20243 min read
Andrew Litton Throws His Hat in Pacific Symphony Ring
REVIEW: The American conductor leads an authoritative Shostakovich; Alessio Bax plays Beethoven. Candidate number five for the position...
Anne Valdespino
Feb 5, 20247 min read
Francis Lam Holds Foodies Rapt as He Leads a Conversation About Orange County's Food Scene
South Coast Repertory hosts a live taping of American Public Media’s ‘The Splendid Table’ with LAist. Remember this scene in “When Harry...
Timothy Mangan
Jan 12, 20244 min read
Matthew Halls Leads Pacific Symphony in Challenging Vaughan Williams
REVIEW: The British conductor makes a strong case for the composer’s neglected Sixth Symphony in an impressive tryout for the orchestra....
Timothy Mangan
Dec 1, 20234 min read
Alexander Shelley Vies for Pacific Symphony Conducting Job
REVIEW: The English conductor impresses with accomplished reading of Dvořák staple. The third in line to the throne of Carl St.Clair’s...
Timothy Mangan
Nov 17, 20233 min read
Ludovic Morlot Takes His Chance at Pacific Symphony Podium
REVIEW: With an exceptional account of Debussy's La Mer, the conductor plays to his strengths. The second guest conductor of the season...
