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Sydney Boyd

Sydney Boyd

Sydney Boyd is an arts writer, scholar, and violinist. She has been a music critic in Houston since 2012 and is the blog author of Girl at the Opera. She has a Ph.D. in English literature from Rice University, where she currently holds a post-doctoral Spatial Studies fellowship in the Humanities Research Center.

Author:Sydney Boyd

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Young and Lamsma bring levity to National Symphony Orchestra

By Sydney Boyd, 20 November 2021

A dark trio of works focused around Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto made for a compelling concert in Washington DC.

****1

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Young and Lamsma bring levity to National Symphony Orchestra

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National Symphony Orchestra triumphs with Boyer and Lang Lang

By Sydney Boyd, 18 September 2021

With a world premiere by Peter Boyer and a stunning Beethoven piano concerto deftly played by Lang Lang, the evening didn’t fail to strike a poignantly significant chord.

****1

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NSO triumphs with Boyer and Lang Lang

WNO's Samson et Dalila shows how sweet love's poison can sound

By Sydney Boyd, 01 March 2020

Strong singing but a stellar orchestra and staging make for a riveting production at the Kennedy Center.

****1

WNO's Samson et Dalila shows how sweet love's poison can sound

A #metoo Don Giovanni at Washington National Opera

By Sydney Boyd, 29 February 2020

Lots of people talk about keeping opera relevant. WNO shows why this opera always has been.

****1

A #metoo Don Giovanni at Washington National Opera

ABT’s Giselle shows that to forgive is divine

By Sydney Boyd, 11 February 2020

A classic staging at the Kennedy Center turned resplendent in the second act.

****1

ABT’s Giselle shows that to forgive is divine

Tetzlaff redefines clarity with the National Symphony Orchestra

By Sydney Boyd, 24 January 2020

Christian Tetzlaff proves once again why audiences can’t get enough of his sound in a program of Dvořák and Schumann with Christoph Eschenbach at the helm.

****1

Tetzlaff redefines clarity with the National Symphony Orchestra

Copland’s Third Symphony redeems Slatkin and the NSO

By Sydney Boyd, 07 December 2019

After a humdrum reimagining of Paganini's 24th Caprice and an underwhelming Rachmaninov piano concerto, Slatkin triumphs with an august Copland 3.

**111

Copland’s Third Symphony redeems Slatkin and the NSO

A luxuriant Tristan und Isolde Act 2 from Noseda and the NSO

By Sydney Boyd, 15 November 2019

Wagner’s Liebestod-laden second act proves the ideal opera snapshot in Washington DC.

****1

A luxuriant Tristan und Isolde Act 2 from Noseda and the NSO

Washington National Opera's merry take on Mozart's Magic Flute

By Sydney Boyd, 02 November 2019

Could The Magic Flute be the next Nutcracker? A child-friendly take on the classic in a mash-up of pyramids and petticoats.

***11

Washington National Opera's merry take on Mozart's Magic Flute

A confused “Resurrection” at the Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 13 September 2018

In a failed mash-up, the Houston Symphony performed only the first movement (the three-minute “Prelude: Maestoso”) of Ives’ Fourth Symphony and continued attacca into the 80 minutes of Mahler's "Resurrection."

**111

A confused “Resurrection” at the Houston Symphony

Into the mist: Gabel and Houston Symphony captain Corigliano and Ravel

By Sydney Boyd, 03 February 2018

Houston Symphony’s program starring John Corigliano’s Conjurer: Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra and Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé crept through mists.

****1

Gabel and Houston Symphony captain Corigliano and Ravel

The Houston Symphony after Harvey: Beethoven and Piazzolla

By Sydney Boyd, 22 September 2017

When a hurricane floods your symphony hall, and you have to scrap and replace programs according to new venues and limited rehearsal time – all with an aim to soothe a city in distress – what do you play?

***11

The Houston Symphony after Harvey

Houston Symphony's fierce Red Violin and opulent Pines of Rome

By Sydney Boyd, 20 April 2017

In a program of vivid Italian work, violinist Elina Välhälä, performing Corigliano's violin concerto, seemed to transform into a formidable sprite.

****1

An opulent Pines of Rome in Houston

Underwhelming Lost Cello Concerto at Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 13 April 2017

In a program with Chabrier’s España and Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat, the Houston Symphony ambitiously unearthed Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Cello Concerto, last heard at its premiere with the New York Philharmonic in 1935.

**111

Underwhelming Lost Cello Concerto at Houston Symphony

Houston Symphony takes it slow with Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky

By Sydney Boyd, 09 March 2017

On a program with unusually slow tempos in Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides, Argentine pianist Ingrid Fliter gave a cursory performance of Mendelssohn's First Piano Concerto.

**111

Houston Symphony takes it slow

Yo-Yo Ma dazzles Houston with Dvořák

By Sydney Boyd, 04 February 2017

While passion, supreme technical mastery, and inspiration all come to mind watching a celebrity like Ma perform, camaraderie, perhaps, is the best word for this concert.

*****

Yo-Yo Ma dazzles Houston with Dvořák

Adams' Doctor Atomic ignites Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 27 January 2017

In the year of the composer's 70th birthday, Adams’ Doctor Atomic Symphony had everyone sitting up straighter.

****1

Doctor Atomic ignites Houston Symphony

Abduraimov's grand “Emperor” at the Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 12 January 2017

In his Houston Symphony debut, Behzod Abduraimov holds court with Beethoven, even though the orchestra couldn't quite match him.

***11

Abduraimov's grand “Emperor” at the Houston Symphony

Another dimension: Trifonov embraces Schumann in Houston

By Sydney Boyd, 03 November 2016

Fluidity defines Daniil Trifonov's style, even while he navigates different realities.

****1

Trifonov embraces Schumann in Houston

Houston Symphony delivers a Creation to marvel

By Sydney Boyd, 29 September 2016

Houston Symphony’s Creation was not pristine, but it caught the emotion overall so well that perhaps the out-of-place details don’t matter.

***11

Houston Symphony delivers a Creation to marvel

Lush Rosenkavalier opens Houston Symphony's season

By Sydney Boyd, 17 September 2016

It’s curious to program an opening night with second-fiddle work; at least I thought so until this Strauss.

***11

Lush Rosenkavalier opens Houston's season

Exposing Beethoven: Baráti and Würtz with Da Camera of Houston

By Sydney Boyd, 26 April 2016

Baráti and Würtz quickly showed their adeptness turning Beethoven’s quick lines into easy gestures. Together, they understand the meaning of the phrase, the weight of good articulation, and the importance of the space between notes.

****1

Exposing Beethoven: Baráti and Würtz in Houston

Fear in future past: Siegfried at Houston Grand Opera

By Sydney Boyd, 16 April 2016

The production is a disconcerting combination of cold metallic future and Neanderthal aesthetics – a startling pairing of humanity’s beginning and its end.

****1

Fear in future past: Siegfried at Houston Grand Opera

Barber, Brahms win for Houston Symphony, despite Schumann disarray

By Sydney Boyd, 30 January 2016

As long as the beginning and the end of a performance come together, will anyone remember the grievances in between?

**111

Barber, Brahms win for Houston Symphony, despite Schumann disarray

Magical debuts make the myth alive in Houston Grand Opera's Rusalka

By Sydney Boyd, 29 January 2016

Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, moving between the worlds and rooted in myth, is a shivering opera to experience with its opulent music and its fantastical plot.

***11

Magical debuts make the myth alive in Houston Grand Opera's Rusalka

Houston Grand Opera wastes a Figaro

By Sydney Boyd, 22 January 2016

This production proves that even Mozart’s best-laid plans can be undone.

Houston Grand Opera wastes a Figaro

A charmed Little Prince at Houston Grand Opera

By Sydney Boyd, 04 December 2015

As part of the season of Scrooges and Santas, it’s a refreshing reminder of sweet simplicity in a complicated world.

***11

A charmed Little Prince at Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera's Eugene Onegin stars an unlikely hero

By Sydney Boyd, 30 October 2015

Re-imagining this opera with Prince Gremin as the show-stealer was no doubt a happy accident.

****1

HGO's Onegin stars an unlikely hero

A timeless Tosca at Houston Grand Opera

By Sydney Boyd, 23 October 2015

Houston Grand Opera’s season-opening production of the fiery opera does it right, from lighting to set to singing, and the end result is a stunning beginning to its season.

***11

A timeless Tosca at Houston Grand Opera

Redefining the Solo: Ax plays Brahms

By Sydney Boyd, 16 October 2015

More than today’s expert on Brahms, Ax promotes a revolutionary approach to the soloist persona: the soloist who is a chamber musician first and a diva second.

***11

Redefining the Solo: Ax plays Brahms

STOMP that again: Corigliano world première joins Mahler 5 in Houston

By Sydney Boyd, 17 September 2015

It is odd to pair a seven-minute world première with a 72-minute Mahler Symphony, but there is so much life packed in to John Corigliano’s STOMP for Orchestra, that the two halves of Houston Symphony Orchestra’s concert felt surprisingly well balanced.

****1

STOMP that again: Corigliano world première

The Firebird makes for a winning opening night at Houston Symphony Orchestra

By Sydney Boyd, 12 September 2015

From the American national anthem to An American in Paris and back to New York City for West Side Story with Joshua Bell, Stravinksy’s Firebird stuck out as the most remarkable piece on the program.

***11

The Firebird makes for a winning opening night in Houston

Move aside Mozart: Eavesdropping on Augustin Hadelich playing Bartók

By Sydney Boyd, 26 March 2015

A Mozart symphony in the second half of this Houston Symphony concert could hardly compete with Augustin Hadelich playing Bartók.

***11

Eavesdropping on Augustin Hadelich playing Bartók

Damnation without purification: Houston Symphony plays Verdi’s Requiem

By Sydney Boyd, 20 March 2015

Soprano Amber Wagner debuts with a flair that reminds us that Verdi's Requiem has dramatic roots.

***11

Wagner steals the show in Verdi's Requiem

Sound swells from Ives to Dvořák at the Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 14 March 2015

A lively program with soloist Martin Fröst, in his HS debut, leaving a deep impression in Copland.

****1

Sound swells from Ives to Dvořák

Dragging tempos pull back a glowing Houston Symphony program

By Sydney Boyd, 20 February 2015

Hans Graf conducts the Houston Sympony and proves even a line-up of symphonic favorites can be foiled by a tepid tempo.

**111

Dragging tempos pull back a glowing program

Joyful and vivacious: Houston Symphony concert packed with energy

By Sydney Boyd, 12 February 2015

A pleasant program of reliably joyful pieces, conducted by a true master.

***11

Joyful and vivacious: Houston concert packed with energy

Water sprites and revolution: Houston Symphony delivers gloriously

By Sydney Boyd, 17 January 2015

Who would have thought a program of water sprites and revolutions spanning 200 years could be so seamless?

***11

Water sprites and revolution in Houston

Fate, passion and control inspire Houston Symphony's Mozart Requiem

By Sydney Boyd, 20 November 2014

Houston Symphony's Andrés Orozco-Estrada brings remarkable intention to Mozart's sacred masterpiece.

***11

An inspired Mozart Requiem from Houston

Kozhukhin sets Prokofiev ablaze with Houston Symphony

By Sydney Boyd, 17 October 2014

Thanks to wild talent of soloist and conductor, a strikingly new take on some familiar work and a standout concert in Houston Symphony's season so far.

****1

Kozhukhin sets Prokofiev ablaze in Houston

Houston Symphony sketches a masterful American landscape

By Sydney Boyd, 02 October 2014

Under Cristian Măcelaru's baton, Al-Zand, Barber, and Copland paint a memorable American scene.

***11

Masterful sketches of American Landscapes