The Choir by ABBA The Museum
June 20, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
The Music of John Williams: a music review by Alan Slade
June 14, 2024 by Alan Slade
“The Music of John Williams – Iconic Film Scores Live in Concert” played to a capacity audience in the Concert Hall of Sydney’s iconic Opera House on opening night, June 13, featuring 80 members of the SSO and 120 singers of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs conducted by Nicholas Buc. Read more
Tosca
May 26, 2024 by Alex First
Opera at Margaret Court Arena reviewed by Alex First Read more
Mendelssohn’s Elijah: a music review by Shirley Politzer
May 22, 2024 by Shirley Politzer
The Wedding March, which so many happy couples have walked down the aisle to, was composed by Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who Queen Victoria described as ‘the greatest musical genius since Mozart’ and ‘the most amiable man.’ Read more
PIAF! The Show
May 17, 2024 by Alex First
Melbourne entertainment reviewed by Alex First Read more
Something to please everybody: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
May 9, 2024 by Fraser Beath McEwing
After a thorough Sibelius soaking from the previous Emirates Master Series concert, it was refreshing to return to the more familiar variety of Glinka, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky for last night’s SSO concert. Read more
Jewish origins of Mozart’s librettist a ‘poorly kept secret’
One of the most important librettists, or authors of operatic texts, in music history, was born Jewish, but his origins weren’t known widely until the Nazis banned works of Jewish artists during the Holocaust. Read more
Chicago
March 27, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
West Side Story – reviewed by Shirley Politzer
March 26, 2024 by Shirley Politzer
What makes a good night at the theatre?- a story that resonates, vibrancy, colour, emotion, great music, talented musicians and choreography, purposeful lighting, clear sound, the list goes on. Read more
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
March 19, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne ballet review by Alex First Read more
Broadway bound via Opera Australia
March 15, 2024 by Henry Benjamin
Doron Chester has plans to head to Broadway, but before that, the ex-Moriah student will perform in Opera Australia’s production of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour. Read more
Gustav made a great double with Camille
February 29, 2024 by Fraser Beath McEwing
A SSO review by Fraser Beath McEwing Read more
The Rocky Horror Show
February 12, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
The Magic Flute now brilliant Australiana
February 4, 2024 by Victor Grynberg
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in his all too short life, wrote masterpiece after masterpiece…writes Victor Grynberg. Read more
Grease The Musical
January 10, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne musical reviewed by Alex First Read more
The Choir of Man
January 7, 2024 by Alex First
A Melbourne musical reviewed by Alex First Read more
Verdi’s masterpiece La Traviata in best production ever
January 4, 2024 by Victor Grynberg
An Opera review by Victor Grynberg Read more
My take on music reviewing
January 1, 2024 by Fraser Beath McEwing
While the 2024 SSO concert season looks to be pretty exciting, there is not much public scraping, plucking, blowing and walloping until February. Read more
John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra New Year’s Eve & The Night Before Gala Concerts
January 1, 2024 by Alex First
A music review by Alex First Read more
Leigh takes Wagner into the 21st century
December 13, 2023 by Henry Benjamin
Two years after the wall dividing West and East Germany was destroyed, 21-year-old Leigh Haas farewelled her family in her native Glasgow to live in the burgeoning creative city of Berlin. Read more
A concert not to be missed: A music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
November 2, 2023 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Although there were three omissions from last night’s Emirates Master Series SSO concert, they didn’t detract from an outstanding event. Read more
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
October 26, 2023 by Alex First
A musical comedy reviewed by Alex First Read more
Manifesto
October 26, 2023 by Alex First
A Melbourne dance review by Alex First Read more
Songs from the Book of Life
October 6, 2023 by Alex First
A concert review by Alex First Read more
Swan Lake
September 20, 2023 by Alex First
A ballet review by Alex First Read more
Sydney jazz pianist to perform in Brooklyn – and online
September 20, 2023 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Australian musician-composer Leonie Cohen and her quintet are set to perform in Brooklyn’s Soapbox Gallery next Thursday. Read more
Carmina Burana-Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Orchestra
September 13, 2023 by Shirley Politzer
A music review by Shirley Politzer Read more
Tubular Bells for Two
September 10, 2023 by Alex First
A music review by Alex First Read more
Nicola Benedetti performs Marsalis
September 8, 2023 by Shirley Politzer
An SSO review by Shirley Politzer Read more
Chunky Move’s 4/4
August 9, 2023 by Alex First
A Melbourne dance performance reviewed by Alex First Read more