About Angela Allen
A longtime Portland, Ore., journalist and reviewer by day, poet by night, and photographer when the light is good, I write and shoot pictures with sharpness and candor, keeping the colors in mind.
Latest News, Events & Clips
La Bohème still wins hearts
Nov. 15, 2025:Portland Opera puts on the Puccini masterpiece without missing a beat. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch review. Photo by Sunny Martini.
Blooming with confidence
Nov. 8, 2025:The new Trio Afiori made its Portland debut Nov. 8 with clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist/Chamber Music Northwest co-artistic director Gloria Chien, and mezzo Fleur Barron performing lots of new music. See Angela's Oregon ArtsWatch story Photo by Ashworth Photography.
Local, local, local
Nov. 1, 2025:Portland composers David Schiff and Alejandro Belgique, 15, along with performer Storm Large, light up the night in Oregon Symphony’s “Sounds Like Portland” festival. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch review. Photo by Jason Quigley.
Harpist Brandee Younger
Oct. 29, 2025:She and her trio bring the huge instrument alive with jazz tunes and Alice Coltrane’s legacy at The Old Church. See Angela’s Oregon ArtWatch review. Photo by Jan van Santen.
Photo by Owen Carey
Obscure Mozart
Aug. 8, 2025:"Scipio’s Dream" proved sopranos Holly Flack and Janet McIntyre could have switched roles seamlessly in OrpheusPDX’s August opera. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch review.
Photo by Tom Emerson
Portland’s chamber-feast stars
Aug. 3, 2025:Bach’s “Brandenburgs” coupled with Caroline Shaw's Bach-influenced piece, along with cellist Zlatomir Fung's artistry and composer Alistair Coleman’s "Ghost Art Canticles," kept standards high at 2025 summer Chamber Music Northwest festival. See Angela’s take.
Protege prestige
Aug. 3, 2025:Young exceptional musicians learning how to contribute to the musical ecosystem capture Chamber Music Northwest protege positions. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch story. Photo by Tom Emerson.
Photo by Rachel Hadiashar
Turning 10
Jul. 29, 2025:A decade in Oregon wine country marks a yearly lineup of contemporary composers, diversity of new and old works, and stellar wines for Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival’s 10-year summer run. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch story.
Passion for Coltrane and Bach
Jul. 17, 2025:Jeff Scott’s Grammy-winning piece combines two giants’ music. See Angela’s review. Photo by Athena Delene.
Critics’ Bash, Allen take lead on MCANA board
Jun. 13, 2025:James Bash and Angela Allen have taken leadership roles in the Music Critics Association of North America. Read more.