If anything, over the decades, the BB orchestra and chorus have become even more accomplished, with outstanding work by Marc Schachman (oboe) and Jesse Levine (trumpet), and the continuo artistry of Peter Sykes (the King Arthur harpsichordist in 1990) and Victor Coelho (theorbo). Pearlman assembled a splendid performing edition from 60 scattered sources and, refined Purcell conductor that he is, led with charm, delicacy, outbursts of vigor, and an uninterrupted connection with Purcell’s irresistible melodies.
Thirteen years ago, mezzo-soprano Jan Curtis suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and barely able to speak. But working with Boston’s Aphasia Community Group, she discovered she could still sing, and with as much communication, stage presence, and voice as ever. In 2001, she gave a memorable Celebrity Series recital. Now Granada TV, doing a documentary for the BBC, has recorded a concert Curtis gave with pianist Shiela Kibbe for BU’s College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Each song has a moving autobiographical undercurrent: “Starting Here, Starting Now,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Feeling Good,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” “O Rest in the Lord,” “Were You There,” “Somebody Loves Me,” “Somewhere.” Curtis’s heroic vocal recovery helps us all put into larger perspective our own little problems and heartaches.
Related:
Hail and farewell, Conquering heroes, Blythe spirit, More 
- Hail and farewell
The season’s most eagerly awaited (and, with its $187 top ticket price, most expensive) classical concert was not a disappointment.
- Conquering heroes
One sign of Boston’s rich classical-music scene is that there are often hard choices to make when two outstanding events are scheduled at the same time.
- Blythe spirit
Leaving the Cutler Majestic after the opening night of Opera Boston’s latest Offenbach, La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein , you could see the smiling faces of an audience that had had a good time.
- Greatest reality hits
To be read while listening to Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” or Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were The Days, My Friend."
- Blake babies
Nature is mysterious and mystical in "And the fair Moon rejoices" (at the BCA's Mills Gallery through August 16), as foreign as the wilds of New England probably seemed to its first English settlers. And maybe there are witches about.
- Too much too soon?
Two of the most exciting concerts announced for this winter are on the same date, February 24.
- From Berlioz to Bayadère
The czy ambiance at Symphony Hall made the announcement of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2007–2008 season seem like a family chat with James Levine.
- Not quite eternal
When what’s arguably the world’s best symphony orchestra expectations run high.
- Love and loss
Boston’s biggest classical-music story this year was also its saddest.
- Us, writ large
Mark Morris’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato is a dance as big as its name, as big as its illustrious associates and enablers, George Frideric Handel, John Milton, William Blake, and a contemporary galaxy of dancers, musicians, and designers.
- Revolution (age) 9
Brookline Music School Takes On “The White Album”
- Less
Topics:
Classical
, David Kravitz, Entertainment, Jesse Levine, More
, David Kravitz, Entertainment, Jesse Levine, John Oliver, Leonard Bernstein, Marc Schachman, Victor Coelho, William Butler Yeats, BU's College, Music, Less
