John Von Rhein – Page 30

Nick Cave has been singing about mortality for decades, and he's really good at it. Whether the narratives are biblical or pulpy, the victims innocents or death row convicts, the circumstances comprehensible or cruelly random, Cave's songs are on intimate terms with the infinite ways a life can be extinguished. And yet, "Skeleton Tree", his latest album with his estimable band, the Bad Seeds, is a relatively concise song cycle shadowed by death that feels different than all the rest. <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/sc-music-nick-cave-skeleton-tree-ent-0916-20160916-column.html" target="_blank">Read the full review.</a>

Recommended Chicago-area classical concerts

May 13, 2019 at 2:08 p.m.

Newberry Consort: Founding members Mary Springfels, viola da gamba, and Drew Minter, countertenor, will join the ensemble of harps, fiddles, winds and voices for an unusual program about the little-known...

Soprano Danielle de Niese, center, plays Roxane Coss in the Lyric Opera production of “Bel Canto,” a television version of which airs Friday on WTTW-Ch. 11.

PBS version of Lyric’s ‘Bel Canto’ betters the stage original

May 13, 2019 at 2:08 p.m.

Little more than a year after its world premiere by Lyric Opera, "Bel Canto," the opera by composer Jimmy Lopez and librettist Nilo Cruz based on Ann Patchett's popular novel...

New halls, new prospects as CSO, Muti embark on latest European adventure

May 13, 2019 at 2:08 p.m.

You don't build on your reputation as one of the world's greatest orchestras by playing only to local admirers. Presenting yourself directly to the concert public in the musical capitals...

Recommended Chicago-area classical concerts

May 13, 2019 at 2:19 p.m.

Winter Chamber Music Festival: The Bienen School of Music's 21st annual celebration of chamber music classics and newer works begins with the New Orford String Quartet performing Beethoven's String Quartet...

For 2017 Grant Park Music Festival, music and finances join in sunny harmony

May 13, 2019 at 2:08 p.m.

What a difference six months can make in the life of a performing arts organization. It was only last June that the opening concert of the 82nd Grant Park Music...

For classical music fans, plenty of diversions to ward off winter chill

May 13, 2019 at 2:19 p.m.

This is the winter of a Chicago classical music lover's content. How could it not be, given the plenitude of interesting performances going on downtown and in the surrounding area...

Levine returns, Lyric launches a new ‘Ring’ — and other highlights of the classical music year

May 13, 2019 at 2:07 p.m.

Time once again to tote up the year's musical blessings — also those people, performances and odd behavior that made 2016 not so blessed. With that in mind, we present...

Chicagoan of the year: Augusta Read Thomas amps up vibrant new-music scene

May 13, 2019 at 2:07 p.m.

This year marked a watershed for contemporary classical music in the city. No greater proof was the Ear Taxi Festival, a Chicago-centic marathon of new-music performances that, for six heady...

Review: CSO, Michael Tilson Thomas ring out old year on a balletic high

May 13, 2019 at 2:19 p.m.

Beyond the attractions of Michael Tilson Thomas' program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Symphony Center, audience members have another inducement to attend: These concerts will be the...

Recommended Chicago-area classical concerts

May 13, 2019 at 2:07 p.m.

Do-It-Yourself "Messiah": The audience is the chorus in this popular audience-participation version of Handel's beloved oratorio, returning for its 41st season. Stanley Sperber conducts the volunteer orchestra, professional soloists and...

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