The Financial Times (London) four stars for Porgy and Bess
at San Francisco Opera

San Francisco Chronicle review of Porgy and Bess
at San Francisco Opera

Chicago Tribune review of Porgy and Bess
at Lyric Opera of Chicago

For those of you who miss Jacob Stockinger's erudite reviews in the community, tune in to his new classical music blog, The Well-Tempered Ear. Well-Tempered Ear review 10/27/09

"[The Mahler] is a great work that was performed greatly..."

"Salerno-Sonnenberg was ceaselessly charismatic."

"A rousing performance!"

"[The Mahler} absolutely rocked the house..."

"[DeMain] paced [Death and Transfiguration] as sonorous melodrama, to magnificently powerful effect."

"The orchestra matched Serkin admirably..."

"The people can feel that they identify with the orchestra and its importance to the community."

"Thunder and lightening electrified Overture Hall last weekend as the MSO closed its season with Verdi Messa da Requiem."

"...the MSO tackled [Verdi's Requiem] with confidence and expressive beauty."

"...[the MSO] offered an often exciting, often lyrical, often
intense interpretation...."

"[Watts] was clearly having fun..."

"Delicacies flourished amid the fireworks..."

"Well played."

"...the MSO's just-announced 2009-10 performances offer an enticing and adventurous season."

"Those who remember Anu Tali's splendid podium debut with the MSO last November will welcome her back...."

"...a performance of blazingly dramatic excitement."

"The trumpets were especially bright and victorious, and the trills in the strings give an almost visual texture to the Allegro con brio."

"...sonorous sound of the collective strings and exemplary work among so many in the woodwinds, brass and percussion, that it would be unseemly to single out any single person."

"Not content with choosing three surefire hits for the program, Maestro John DeMain then threw more fuel on the fire with exuberant and assertive direction."

"Kern made the piano sing like a coloratura soprano."

"This was a memorable performance."

"But, ah, the orchestra! It sparkled, it surged, it swirled, it roared, under Hege's finely detailed direction. It was simply magnificent!"

"With three very different, very dramatic works, the symphony proves its versatility and creativity..."

"Professional actor, director and playwright James DeVita has performed in "Romeo and Juliet" four times....But he's never
done it like this."

"...these instruments help their neighbors by adding depth and texture."

"The Christmas holiday, the orchestra seemed to say, is for all of us..."

"The cumulative effect was mesmerizing and exciting."

"Not the least of the show's strengths is the conducting of John DeMain."

"For me, this performance was the ultimate triumph of a most stimulating concert."

"The audience probably knew not to clap after the first movement, but Chang's playing was stunning. They clapped anyway."

"[Chang displayed] clean and polished playing...controlled virtuosity...and a certain indefinable panache."

"The entire evening seemed to revolve around harnessing and controlling energy..."

"One aspect of “The Planets” that does not come across in the...CD...is the work’s very satisfying sonic blast."

"...the symphony is a truly moving experience and the UW campus is graced to have our very own, very talented symphony here in Madison."

"A riveting performance of tuneful, dramatic, and brilliantly
scored music."

"...The Madison Symphony Orchestra has become an excellent regional orchestra...."

"The opening night audience was immidiately on its feet, cheering unashamedly."

"The orchestra gave a stunning and beautiful performance leaving the audience breathless...."

"I'm always thrilled to play a piece that's such a howling success with the public," Ohlsson said.

"...DeMain's tenure has been a golden age for the MSO...."

"It was one of the greatest inspirations of my life..."

We've compiled a host of resources to increase your enjoyment of MSO concerts and classical music. Start on the Concert Page of your chosen concert to click on links for guest artist websites, then check out our other offerings below!

Published five times a year, The Score comes to you with a wealth of information. Engaging articles about upcoming concerts, composers and artists take you deeper into the music, and calendars of events keep you updated on the endless possibilities for musical enjoyment with the MSO.

Our erudite and often humorous Program Notes Annotator, Michael Allsen, has been praised for the consistent quality of his program notes by the local press. Find out about the composers, their lives, their work, their motivations, and much more when you read our Program Notes.