Angela Allen

Handmaid’s horror tale

Poul Ruders and Paul Bentley’s setting of the Margaret Atwood classic, running at SFO through Oct. 1, offered many disturbing moments and little peace.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch September 2024

The San Francisco's Opera’s "The Handmaid’s Tale"" is important — and very dark. See Angela’s review. Photo by Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Read More

Kevin Day, promising composer

Talking about growing up with gospel and hip-hop, composing string quartets and opera, playing tuba, and the spontaneity of composition with this year’s WVCMF composer-in-residence.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch September 2024

See Angela’s story about Kevin Day, an artist who mixes up genres in his music. Photo by Rachel Hadiashar. Read More

Handel charmer

Katherine Whyte, Hannah Penn, and Douglas Williams shone in the English Baroque composer’s colorful, Italian-drenched opera.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2024

Based on a myth, Handel’s “Acis Galatea and Polyphemus” charmed the audience and this critic. See Angela’s review. Photo by Owen Carey. Read More

Fairytale opera

The dark, haunting opera starred Lisa Marie Rogali and Madeline Ross in a setting of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2024

David Herzberg’s "The Rose Elf,"an OrpheusPDX production, was haunting and utterly original. See Angela’s review. Photo by Owen Carey. Read More

Exquisite chamber percussion.

The percussion quartet, whom Adams considers “the foremost interpreters of my music,” dazzled a surround-sound audience at Kaul Auditorium before repeating the feat at Oregon Bach Festival.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

Sandbox Percussion plays John Luther Adams’ world premiere “Prophesies of Fire” about climate change at Chamber Music Northwest’s festival. See Angela’s review. Read More

Joan Tower world premiere

CMNW co-commissioned the venerated American composer’s “conversation” for violin and percussion quartet.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

The eminent American composer combines violin and percussion in "To Sing or Dance"at Chamber Music Northwest' concert. See Angela’s review. Read More

Luminous, not tragic.

The choral composer and conductor, artist-in-residence at this year’s OBF, performed his radiant “The Sacred Veil,” a collaboration with Charles Anthony Silvestri in memory of Silvestri’s late wife.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

Oregon Bach Festival Chorus performs sought-after choral composer Eric Whitacre's intimate piece, “The Sacred Veil.” See Angela’s review. Read More

Powerhouse organist Paul Jacobs

The reigning king of organ performed J.S. alongside Damien Geter, Lowell Liebermann, and Saint-Saëns.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

World-renowned Jacobs pulls out the stops at Oregon Bach Festival’s organ symphony concert. See Angela’s review. Read More