Cy Ashley Webb
Cy spent the ‘80’s as a bench scientist, the tech boom doing intellectual property law, and the first decade of the millennium, aspiring to be the world’s oldest grad student at Stanford where she is interested in political martyrdom. Presently, she enjoys writing for Stark Insider and the SF Examiner, hanging out at Palo Alto Children's Theatre, and participating in various political activities. Democracy is not a spectator sport! Cy is a SFBATCC member.
Nothing Youthful About It: SFSYO rocks Davies Symphony Hall
As performed by the SFSYO, this first movement is pure gold, especially the end that fakes you out – much like a contemporary vocalist – only to deliver the most majestic of crescendos at the end
Hot Ticket: San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
With performances that include everything from the second Viennese School to Peter and the Wolf, the range of programming is astounding.
PBO & Vivica Genaux: Arias for Farinelli
Geneaux is particularly known for her coloratura, as she throws off these vocal trills, singing vibrato while performing a vocal tremolo, while proceeding vigorously apace with the main melody – as if it were nothing. Watching her pull off this stunt has to be seen to be believed.
Review: San Jose Taiko at the Campbell Heritage Theatre
The group included segments that felt like a demented taiko version of a half-time show with whistle and another than could pass for commedia dell’arte taiko. Their good humor was infectious.
Review: James Conlon conducts the San Francisco Symphony
Olga Guryakova brought a compelling stage presence, intentionally remote and removed, while simultaneously and completely in the moment.
Review: Clementine in the Lower 9
On one hand, the flotsam of the storm created a seemingly impenetrable wall, incorporating a full size car, telephone pole, child’s playhouse and bicycles mixed in together with other equally random wreckage.
Review: ‘Sister Cities’ worlds apart
A writer who eats boxed macaroni with a swagger, Austin’s equal parts intellect and ennui.
Autumnal evening with the Ives Quartet
The enormous contrast in timbre, volume and intensity that the Ives brought to this piece would sound altogether schizophrenic if performed by a lesser group.
Redeeming Gypsy with Broadway by the Bay
This Gypsy was so different that it forced me to think about why it worked where others failed, and why Frank Rich of the New York Times calls Gypsy the “the great American musical."
Review: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra opens their 31st season
Just as Haydn did at the premiere of this work. McGegan surprised the audience and played the cadenza himself.
