Galina Vishnevskaya (1926-2012)

Vishnevskaya with husband, cellist Mistislav Rostropovich

Russian soprano and political dissident Galina Vishnevskaya died yesterday in Moscow.

Ms. Vishnevskaya appeared twice on the Celebrity Series, in her first American recital in 1960 and  again in 1961. Boston Globe critic Kevin Kelly reviewed her second Celebrity Series performance, "Galina Vishnevskaya ... is the kind of singer who ruffles the cool detachment of a supposedly objective critic. I would have voted for her before she opened her mouth."

New York Times

The Telegraph

Opera News

The Guardian

BBC News

Vishnevskaya sings Tchaikovsky, "Why are the Roses so Pale?" w Rostropovich, piano (video)

 

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck dies at 91

 

Pioneering jazz composer and pianist Dave Brubeck has died of heart failure at the age of 91.

Brubeck was presented 11 times by Celebrity Series of Boston between 1971 and 1984, including appearances with his quartet and alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, with his son, Darius and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan.

San Francisco Chronicle

Chicago Tribune

New York Daily News

BBC News

USA Today

Dave Brubeck Quartet playing In Your Own Sweet Wa (video)

Dave Brubeck Quartet playing These Foolish Things (video)

Dave Brubeck Quartet playing Take Five (video)

 

Mummenschanz with the muppets and in Boston

Watch the uniquely delightful Swiss performance group Mummenschanz perform on the Muppet Show in 1976. Mummenschanz will celebrate 40 years of innovative non-verbal theatre (with toilet paper, giant blobs of felt, and squishable masks) in Boston from December 5-9th at Citi Shubert Theatre. Presented by your friendly neighborhood Celebrity Series.

Tickets

Emerson String Quartet reviewed by Boston Globe

Read Jeremy Eichler's review of Sunday afternoon's Celebrity Series concert by the Emerson String Quartet (login req'd), the ensemble's last in Boston with David Finckel in the cello chair.