By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune Published: SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 — 10:00AM https://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-choir-to-launch-its-virtual-season-with-a-celebration-of-women-s-suffrage/572586972/ The Minneapolis choral group’s new on-demand site will include family-friendly programs as well as concerts. Amid continuing uncertainty over when live performances will be possible again, Twin Cities choir VocalEssence has announced its plans for an all-digital 2020-21 season.…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune Published: AUGUST 9, 2020 — 2:00PM https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-icon-philip-brunelle-shares-8-great-musical-moments-in-his-life/572044472/?refresh=true As Minnesota legend Philip Brunelle presents his 100th webcast Monday, he shares a few personal tales.   When the coronavirus crisis hit, Philip Brunelle started talking, and he has been talking ever since. The result? A string of “Musical…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune Published: FEBRUARY 18, 2020 — 10:57AM http://www.startribune.com/for-30-years-vocalessence-s-witness-program-has-celebrated-black-music/567972202/ G. Phillip Shoultz III brings the Witness program to 40 schools each year. “Thirty years ago, Black History Month was just a mention on Minnesota Public Radio, and maybe a concert here or there. There wasn’t anything sustained here…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune Published: FEBRUARY 17, 2020 — 8:40AM http://www.startribune.com/vocalessence-explores-deep-roots-of-african-american-music-the-week-s-best-classical-concerts/567887142/ Bearing ‘Witness’ Thirty years ago, Philip Brunelle’s choir VocalEssence initiated a project called “Witness,” which aimed to “celebrate the artistic contributions of African-Americans to the fine arts and to our common cultural heritage.” The anniversary is marked this week…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Star Tribune Published: December 26, 2019 http://www.startribune.com/best-of-the-decade/566133041/?refresh=true#classical 10. “Candide” 2019-Philip Brunelle’s Vocal­Essence turned 50 with a joyful take on Bernstein’s operetta, brilliantly re-imagined as a 1930s radio broadcast by Peter Rothstein. 9. It’s Raining Grammys-Discs of Sibelius by the Minnesota Orchestra (2014) and Schubert by the SPCO (2018) won the ultimate…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Star Tribune Published: December 20, 2019 — 8:20AM http://www.startribune.com/the-10-concerts-that-shone-brightest-in-2019-on-minnesota-s-classical-scene/566373282/ 1. “Candide,” VocalEssence, March 21: Leonard Bernstein’s Voltaire operetta is tough to stage, but Theater Latté Da’s Peter Rothstein recast it brilliantly as a 1930s radio broadcast. VocalEssence made the music sparkle, with Bradley Greenwald narrating. 2. St. John Passion, Oratory Bach Ensemble,…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Star Tribune Published: December 1, 2019 — 2:00PM http://www.startribune.com/a-hot-debut-and-a-bach-alternative-to-messiah-the-week-s-best-classical-concerts/565610352/ Alt-Bach Christmas inevitably means “Messiah,” and this week’s Minnesota Orchestra performances will please those who like an annual dose of Handel’s masterpiece. For a refreshing alternative, why not try Bach’s Christmas Oratorio? It covers many of the same biblical events, and the…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Star Tribune Published: OCTOBER 6, 2019 — 2:00PM http://www.startribune.com/beethoven-meets-poet-rita-dove-the-week-s-best-classical-concerts/562199432/ Beethoven with a side of poetry “Sonata for a crazy mulatto.” The dedication Beethoven wrote on the score of his towering “Kreutzer” Sonata was presumably meant affectionately, but would not play well today. The dedicatee in question was George Bridgetower, an Afro-European…  Read More →

by Terry Blain | Star Tribune April 21, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/508820582/ Ireland’s best The Palestrina Choir was formed in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1890s, with a home base at St. Mary’s pro-Cathedral. Part of a Midwest tour, the choir’s St. Paul date is definitely a must-see for choir lovers. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cathedral of…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune MARCH 17, 2019 — 11:11AM: http://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-team-tries-to-fix-leonard-bernstein-s-biggest-flop/507161192/ Theater Latté Da doubles up with VocalEssence to rethink a confounding musical theater work. Photo: Allen Weeks After opening on Broadway in 1956, Leonard Bernstein’s operetta “Candide” ran for a paltry 73 performances. That’s a disaster in terms of music theater.…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune DECEMBER 27, 2018 — 6:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/13-minnesota-arts-and-entertainment-events-we-can-t-wait-to-see-in-2019/503577762/?fbclid=IwAR0szEUvKgQVVyMrF_HyLRvc-oBbQibYD1BDX28m0YE9MuYumoyks-4ZWt0 Star Tribune critics and editors anticipate most promising art and entertainment. ‘Candide,’ Cowles Center, March 21-24 A world gone crazy, full of unpredictable perils and reverses of fortune. Sound familiar? It’s the back story to Leonard Bernstein’s operetta “Candide,” a rambunctious treatment of Voltaire’s…  Read More →

By Terry Blain | Special to the Star Tribune January 13, 2019 — 2:00PM: http://www.startribune.com/the-week-s-five-best-twin-cities-classical-concerts/504230712/ Taking the podium Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto hurt his arm, so he can’t deliver the solo he planned for this week. But the injury won’t stop him from conducting a stimulating program for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Music includes Missy Mazzoli’s…  Read More →