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Performing Arts News, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance.

Performing Arts

Thursday

Review

Obituaries

Looking Back on Caldwell's Operatic Career

Fresh Air

American opera visionary Sarah Caldwell founded the Opera Company of Boston in 1958. The company's principal prima donna was Beverly Sills, and Placido Domingo was an unknown young tenor when he first sang with the company. Caldwell died on March 23 at the age of 82.

Looking Back on Caldwell's Operatic Career

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Tuesday

Music Interviews

Neko Case Surges Forward with 'Flood'

Singer/songwriter Neko Case possesses one of the most distinctive voices in modern music. Some writers are already predicting that her latest, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, will end up one of the year's best. In a recent interview, Neko Case sang, played her guitar and spoke about her music with music journalist Ashley Kahn.

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Saturday

Roberta Flack, In Full Voice on America's Soundtrack

Flack says musicians should practice humility: "Don't wave [others' music] off 'cause you don’t understand it. Listen for the heartbeat. It's there." Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Roberta Flack, In Full Voice on America's Soundtrack

The unmistakable voice of Roberta Flack has been part of the American soundtrack since the 1960s.

Roberta Flack, In Full Voice on America's Soundtrack

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Friday

Music Interviews

Wagner's 'Ring' Reimagined in America

A bold new interpretation of Richard Wagner's Ring cycle sets its timeless tale of the corruption of power in a more contemporary American setting. Director Francesca Zambello talks about what's being called the American Ring.

Wagner's 'Ring' Reimagined in America

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Dave Chappelle, Back in the Spotlight

Dave Chappelle may be the hottest comic on the block. He has a new documentary in theaters, a hip-hop concert film called Block Party. He's still doing stand-up. And DVDs of his cable TV show are selling at a fast pace.

Dave Chappelle, Back in the Spotlight

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Tuesday

Music

Songwriter Al Anderson Returns to his Roots as a Performer

Music journalist Ashley Kahn talks with guitarist and songwriter Al Anderson about his new album, After Hours. Anderson has been in the music business for four decades. He has written a string of country hits for Nashville's biggest stars. Despite his success as a songwriter, Anderson says the urge to perform again has proved too strong to resist.

Songwriter Al Anderson Returns to his Roots as a Performer

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Monday

Culture

Exploring Broadway's Early Irish Period

Fresh Air

Singer, musician and folklorist Mick Moloney's new album, McNally's Row of Flats, centers on theater songs by an Irish songwriting team from the late 1800s. In those days, Vaudeville and minstrelsy were giving way to American Musical Theater in New York City.

Exploring Broadway's Early Irish Period

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Steve Harvey Keeps the Comedy Coming

Ed Gordon talks with veteran comedian and entertainer Steve Harvey about his illustrious career in stand-up comedy, radio and film. He has a new movie out, Don't Trip, He Ain't Through With Me Yet!

Steve Harvey Keeps the Comedy Coming

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Saturday

Friday

'Lord of the Rings' Takes the Stage

After proving immensely popular on page and screen, The Lord of the Rings is about to take another leap. When J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy of fantasy novels makes its debut as a stage production in Toronto, audiences will hear Hobbits and elves sing. Just don't call it a musical, its producer says.

'Lord of the Rings' Takes the Stage

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Wednesday

Culture

Musical Tackles Life in North Korean Prison Camp

A new show that has opened in South Korea, Yodok Story, takes on an unlikely topic for a musical: prison camps in Stalinist North Korea. The director and choreographer are North Korean -- and both were once prisoners in the vast gulag system that holds an estimated 200,000 people.

Musical Tackles Life in North Korean Prison Camp

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Friday

Inside Latin Alternative

Monterrey, Mexico: Latin Alternative Central

Last year no fewer than eight bands from Monterrey, Mexico, were invited to play at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. Some have called Monterrey the Seattle of Latin Alternative music, in reference to Seattle's role in the early 1990s as the incubator of grunge rock.

Monterrey, Mexico: Latin Alternative Central

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Music News

Composers' Manuscripts Head for Juilliard

A treasure trove of composers' manuscripts has been donated to Juilliard. The music school's collection of 139 priceless documents includes works by Beethoven, Brahms and Handel. Renee Montagne talks with Miles Hoffman about the collection's significance.

Composers' Manuscripts Head for Juilliard

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