Chicago Art and Music Reviews 2017 | Excerpts
Aside from the plays that I have reviewed this year for Chicago Theater & Arts I also had a chance to review or report on an opera, an art exhibit, and a few non-theatrical musical performances. Below are some excerpts. You can read the full reviews by clicking on the titles.
Turandot by the Chicago Lyric Opera at the Chicago Civic Theatre. Chinese Princess, Turandot, has proffered a challenge to all eligible Princes, that the one who can successfully answer three riddles shall win her love. Unsuccessful suitors will forfeit their life by beheading at sunrise. Prince Calaf is immediately smitten by Turandot and cannot resist the challenge. Calaf’s much-anticipated aria “Nessun Dorma” in Act Three does not disappoint. For sheer spectacle “Turandot” at the Lyric Opera was a solid recommendation.
Four Wisconsin Artists Exhibit in Pilsen. LALUZ Gallery opened its newest show, “Visions of Wisconson” to feature artists Sara Strozinsky, Anne Horjus, Katie Schofield and Laura Annis. The four artists who have distinctly different aesthetics are friends and collaborators from the Baraboo/Madison area.
Master of Boogie: There isn’t a beer hall or gin joint in Chicago with a piano that hasn’t been visited sometime in the past 50 years by the fingers of jazz pianist and boogie master Erwin Helfer. We caught up with him at Hungry Brain on Belmont in Chicago. If you are a lover of straight-up classic jazz with a boogie rhythm, Erwin is “the man.”
A look at Chicago Composer Regina Harris Baiocchi : Virtually every day there are fabulous artistic programs being offered all around Chicago. These gallery exhibits, theatrical productions and musical performances are often presented by individuals of exceptional quality and sadly only have one presentation. On Nov. 10, 2017 a concert of the music composed by Chicago native Regina Harris Baiocchi was one of those exceptional events at Sherwood Community Music School / Columbia College on South Michigan Avenue.
Windy City Winds American Originals: The Windy City Winds celebrated their Third Season Fall Concert at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Chicago, playing a selection of American Originals suitable for wind, brass, and percussion.
