writing by Libby Hanssen
In this age of ridiculous celebrity, it was a treat to knock back a few with some of the members of Alarm Will Sound after their concert Thursday night. It was doubly so not only because we got to discuss music with artistically driven performers we respect - come on, I get to do that... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Jewell Early Music Summer Fest for The Kansas City Star. The Saturday night concert of their four-part series was performed at St. Andrew's Christian Church. It was a nice setting, but the instruments suffered from being moved about and the choice to turn off the AC during the first half wreaked havoc... Continue Reading →
I reviewed Summerfest's third program for their "An Invitation to the Dance" series for The Kansas City Star. And I have a beef: Before beginning the concert's third piece, one of the ensemble member's spoke about her thoughts during preparation. She went on to say that the piece was "weird" and "wacky," primarily in reference... Continue Reading →
Over a year ago, maybe closer to two I guess, I was handed a concert flier. Everybody hands out concert fliers all the time and how often do you look at them? You stick them in a pocket or leave them at the bar. This flier, I saved. I didn’t even make it to the... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the second program for Summerfest's "An Invitation to the Dance" for The Kansas City Star. It was much livelier than the previous week, with a tremendous, invigorating performance of Ernő Dohnányi's Sextet in C major.
Northeast Kansas City has a reputation. Actually, it has had a lot of reputations, not all of them savory. Once the home of Kansas City's elite, the area fell into disrepute and disrepair. Currently, though, it seems on the path of gentrification, becoming the home of a considerable contigent of KC's "creative class," in what... Continue Reading →
I went to see the Kansas City Ballet's final program of the season a few weeks ago. Because I also had an obligation across the lobby in Helzberg Hall the same evening, I was only able to watch the first piece standing in the back of Kauffman Theatre. Coming back to the work after weeks... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers for The Kansas City Star. It was an oddly chilly June evening, but fortunately the full crowd in Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral and incredible singing added warmth to the event.
“This is the world premiere of Libby Hanssen. And in the grand tradition of the People’s Liberation Big Band, it is unrehearsed.” -Brad Cox *********************** Unrelenting thunderstorms washed out some of the crowd for the People’s Liberation Big Band’s regular gig at the RecordBar. My baby and I made it out, despite the rains, for... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Lyric Opera's production of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" for The Kansas City Star. That damn "Largo" aria has been stuck in my head for days.
Proust Eats a Sandwich 