Tag: Dallas Arts and Culture

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Why this Mozart concerto is dear to Alessio Bax’s heart

“Every Mozart concerto is an absolute gem and they’re all different from one another in different ways,” says pianist Alessio Bax. “This one is very dear to me because it is actually the one piece that made me fall in love with the piano.” Bax revisits Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with the Dallas Symphony… Read more »

Dallas playwright’s new comedy explores gentrification in Elm Thicket, her childhood home

A new comedy about two childhood sweethearts reuniting after decades apart becomes a vehicle for examining the troubled racial and economic history of a single Dallas neighborhood: Elm Thicket. This week, Soul Rep Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Elm Thicket, written by the company’s director, Anyika McMillan-Herod. It’s part of the AT&T Performing… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Superstar soprano Hila Plitmann returns with the Dallas Winds

“There was something in the joy – this kind of utter joy that I was finding in the silence of meditation and of going inwardly thatwas coming through, and it started with lyrics and melodies, and then this whole thing came about,” explains soprano Hila Plitmann, describing her composition, “In this Circle,” which she’ll perform… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Christmas with the Orpheus Chamber Singers

“Whenever I’m asked about this Christmas tradition, I kind of light up, because it’s such an important one – certainly to Orpheus – but it’s a hugely important one in our community,” says J.D. Burnett, Artistic Director for Dallas-based Orpheus Chamber Singers. Their annual Christmas program has been a beloved tradition for North Texans for… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Another Dallas Opera world premiere by the ‘Dream Team’

“For an opera that sounds really challenging to present, they’ve done some wonderful creative opportunities in what you’re going to see visually… but it’s also just a story of great determination and inspiration,” explains Ian Derrer, The Dallas Opera’s Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, describing the creative team behind The Diving Bell and the… Read more »

Verdigris concert combines AI with music to advocate for Texas’ endangered species

“We want to inspire action,” says Sam Brukhman, founder and Artistic Director of Dallas-based Verdigris Ensemble. “And that action, in this particular case, is the conservation of our ecosystem and how important our environment is within the context of the City of Dallas – and what we need to do to be able to preserve… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: How the Dallas Symphony is bringing the music to YOU

“We want to do what we do everywhere, for everybody,” says Scott Walzel, Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Principal Bassoon and Director of Community Development. This fall, the DSO has launched a series of free community concerts across the city and beyond, ranging from pop-up performances by The Concert Truck and chamber music performances at Klyde… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: TWO nights in Vienna with the Plano Symphony Orchestra

“Historically, Vienna has always been regarded as the city of music,” explains Maestro Hector Guzman, Music Director and Conductor of the Plano Symphony Orchestra. Soon, they’ll bring the music of Vienna to the Eisemann Center, followed by their first-ever performance at SMU’s Caruth Auditorium. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, Guzman talks about the… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: TACA’s new fundraising concept is progressive… literally

“You can only cram so much art in one night,” say Maura Sheffler, the Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director of TACA – The Arts Community Alliance. “So we decided to create this theory, The Fall Arts Crawl.” Taking place over the course of multiple evenings at various locations with various artists, the events… Read more »

WRR 101 Focus on the Arts: DSO’s Fabio Luisi makes Pops debut with American Songbook program

“We play for the audience, not for ourselves,” says Fabio Luisi, Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. “The reaction of the audience and the fact to have an audience while we’re playing is very important.” Now entering his fourth year with the DSO, Luisi will makes his Pops debut with the orchestra to lead… Read more »