The Daily Utah Chronicle

Mozart’s “Magic Flute” stimulates mind and body

By By Christie Franke | February 22, 2008

When Mozart wrote his opera "The Magic Flute," neither he nor anyone else knew that it would be his final work. The singspiel -- a thoroughly German type of production that mixed operatic singing with the spoken word -- premiered in Vienna on Sept. 30, 1791, to great success -- and no doubt lifted the spirits of poor Mozart, which had been lowered by repeated illness.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Valentine’s Edition

By By Christie Franke | February 14, 2008

Valentine's Day. The very phrase conjures up pink and red images of horror: expensive rose bouquets, chocolates inside cardboard hearts, overly-sentimental cards for lovers that are often so blatantly full of innuendo that it shouldn't even be called innuendo.

The 411 on the Classics

By By Christie Franke and By Christie Franke | February 1, 2008

Let it not be said that enormous music halls are the only places to listen to the music regularly talked about in this column. With the availability of iTunes, music stores and even the public library, such a statement is kind of stupid. The music is everywhere.

Lust, greed, sex, lies, betrayal, pain and death

By By Christie Franke | December 7, 2007

It seems as if spring seasons in the classical world are a little more dramatic than their autumnal counterparts. At least such is the case here in Salt Lake City. The fall season has certainly been busy, no doubt about that, but the upcoming spring season is definitely something to anticipate.

A holiday tradition at Abravanel Hall

By By Christie Franke | November 20, 2007

When Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premiered in 1742, it was sung closer to Easter than it was to Christmas. This was the tradition during Handel's lifetime, but since then, it has changed to the Advent before Christmas. As such, the Utah Symphony and Chorus will be presenting it at Abravanel Hall on Nov.

Illusionist to enchant Abravanel Hall

By By Christie Franke | November 8, 2007

Fans of the movies "The Illusionist" and "The Prestige" take note: a magician is coming to Salt Lake City. Lyn Dillies, a professional illusionist, is performing with the Utah Symphony on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 at Abravanel Hall. Dillies has been performing magic since childhood, when she watched magicians such as Bill Bixby on television and played with tricks bought from stores to wow friends and family.

“Rite of Spring” comes to U

By By Christie Franke | November 1, 2007

When Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" premiered in Paris in 1913, the audience reacted to the new piece in a shockingly erratic manner: they rioted. Police were called in to restore order. The rioters didn't entirely succeed, though -- the performance bravely went on.

Accomplished Composer gives Salt Lake a sneak peak

By By Christie Franke | October 19, 2007

Tonight, the Utah Symphony hosts a world premiere. The piece debuting is "Terpsichore's Dream," composed by Augusta Read Thomas. Terpsichore, in Greek mythology, is the muse of dance and lends her name to the word "terpsichorean." She is the spirit of motion and she gives this spirit to the piece.

Ghosties and ghoulies and krakens, oh my!

By By Christie Franke | October 5, 2007

A captain doomed to sail the seas for eternity seeking a woman to save him with her love. A romantic young woman who has heard all sorts of ghostly tales. A young man who would have the girl as his wife. Surprisingly, this is not "Pirates of the Caribbean.

University Singers world-class

By By Christie Franke | September 21, 2007

The University Singers are world-renowned. No joke. The choir, directed by Brady R. Allred, won the European Grand Prix International Choral Competition last year in Tolosa, Spain. This followed a slew of other prizes, including the Grand Prize at the 2005 Florilge Vocal de Tours international Choir Competition in Tours, France (They also won five additional prizes there, including first in free program and second in mixed choir).