Lise Davidsen and Nina Stemme Star in ‘Elektra’ at the Met

Behind the majestic excess of Strauss’s “Elektra”—the legendary setting of the libretto, the relentless horror of the music—is something smaller: a plainly framed family portrait, though drawn from the wall and drawn by broken glass. This has always been at the heart of Patrice Chéreau’s production. Returned to the Metropolitan Opera Friday night. But in …

Lise Davidsen and Nina Stemme Star in ‘Elektra’ at the Met

Behind the majestic excess of Strauss’s “Elektra”—the legendary setting of the libretto, the relentless horror of the music—is something smaller: a plainly framed family portrait, though drawn from the wall and drawn by broken glass. This has always been at the heart of Patrice Chéreau’s production. Returned to the Metropolitan Opera Friday night. But in …

Review: ‘Little Girl Blue’ Revisits Nina Simone Every Prime

Musicals are often based on familiar patterns—a patter song here, a “I Want” number there—and biographical musicals can be the most predictable of all. The songs are mixed with enough backstory to make the audience feel like they didn’t pay a lot of money to watch a cover act, and there’s traditionally a juicy, award-winning …

Sonic Sensations: Picture Books About Nina Simone and Jimi Hendrix

In other words, anger, pain, frustration, and confusion are given room to breathe (though Todd stays clear of Simone’s later struggles with mental health), but these aren’t the only forces that have shaped her art. Simone’s precocity, shimmering in the image of a diaper baby reaching out to touch a single key on the piano, …

NOAA, La Niña Weather Pattern Likely to Extend Western Drought

Mr Gottschalck said that with La Niña, drought is expected to continue in the Southwest and develop in the Southern Plains. But Mr Gottschalck said the forecast for more precipitation for the Pacific Northwest bodes well for improving and in some cases eliminating drought conditions. Recovery can also be seen in Northern California; That’s good …

Nina Simone Saved Ledisi’s Life. Now Pays Tribute To An Album.

On Friday, Ledisi will commemorate the woman who saved him from despair with the album “Ledisi Sings Nina”, in which he reinterpreted seven of Simone’s most popular songs in orchestral, jazz and pop arrangements. They showcase both the diversity and depth of Simone’s musicianship and the breathtaking range and reach of Ledisi’s own voice. Ledisi’s …