The Princeton Festival Baroque Orchestra continues to play music written before and during the 18th century on period instruments to sold out crowds. The orchestra’s string instruments are strung with catgut, which gives them a lighter texture. In addition to violins and violas, other instruments included a harpsichord, violincello, violone (an early form of the […]
“Nixon in China” in Princeton, NJ
I was amazed that The Princeton Festival brought Nixon in China to town. There haven’t been many productions of this opera, so I applaud Artistic Director, Richard Tang Yuk for making this wise decision. Steven LaCosse’s regulates the fluidity of the stage nicely. There is a lot of action and a large chorus to navigate, […]
Falling For The Princeton Festival’s “She Loves Me”
She Loves Me is a musical romantic comedy that takes place in a fragrance shop in Budapest, which is an adaptation of the 1937 play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklós László. The Maraczek’s Parfumerie shop employees arrive every morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, singing Good Morning, Good Day. They set up shop and then eagerly try […]
The Princeton Festival Baroque Orchestra Gave Us a Throwback
The Princeton Festival Baroque Orchestra debuted in 2015. They play music written before and during the 18th century on instruments of that time. Most of the musicians have a common link of having studied at the Jacob School of Music of Indiana University in Bloomington or playing with the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra. This is apparent by how […]
The Princeton Festival Marches Fidelio Into Town
U.S. protests have increased this year, making Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio very relevant in 2017 since it begins with a protest against injustice. Ultimately, it’s a story of love, freedom, hope, and justice. This opera goes beyond amusement. It makes a statement. Fidelio was part of a trend in the early 1800s to pen operas about women […]
The Princeton Festival is Not Just Dreaming of Man of La Mancha
To dream the impossible dream, the first line in the main song of Man of La Mancha is something in which many of us are guilty. When we reach too high for the stars, we set ourselves up for disappointment. It’s inspiring and devastating. The Princeton Festival brings Man of La Mancha to the Lewis […]
The Princeton Festival Seeks Host Families for Artists and Staff
For the last 12 years, there has been a festival of the arts in town held in June called The Princeton Festival. It offers fully-staged operas performed at McCarter Theatre on the Matthews stage, musical theater in the intimate Matthews Acting Studio in the Lewis Center for the Arts on campus, a jazz concert, chamber music, symphonic […]
Peter Grimes – For Both Fans and Non-Fans of Opera
The Princeton Festival presents Benjamin Britten’s opera Peter Grimes, directed by Steven LaCosse. Opera fans will most likely purchase tickets because they know the quality of a Princeton Festival production, and for the opportunity to watch a quality opera locally. Those who are not fans of opera might want to reconsider this year for a few reasons. […]
‘A Little Night Music’ is a Lot of Fun!
The Princeton Festival has chosen A Little Night Music directed by Diana Basmajian as its musical for 2016. The Broadway production won four Tony Awards in 1973 , including Best Musical, and was adapted for film in 1977, so it’s no wonder that the ENTIRE RUN is sold out. The Matthew’s Acting Studio within the Lewis Center for the Arts is the […]
The 2016 Season of The Princeton Festival
The Princeton Festival is a world-class summer festival of performing arts. It extends Princeton’s cultural season into June, and has offered fully staged operas, musical theater, jazz, chamber music, symphonic concerts, piano, organ and vocal recitals, dance, world music, and a piano competition since 2005. The 2016 season will run from June 4 – 26. It kicks off […]