Salle: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Opera closed their 2012 Festival on Sunday afternoon with the second of two performances of Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata, or the Nude Goddess. After hearing a strong Marriage of Figaro at the festival Friday evening, I had fairly high expectations, some of which were met, others not.

The 2012 Fort Worth Opera Festival, now nearing its conclusion, presented the last of its three performances of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro on Friday evening. A traditional approach governed everything from the modest yet handsome sets to the conservative musical interpretation.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra welcomed guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen and pianist Markus Groh to Bass Hall this weekend, and welcome guests they were indeed. Ms. Chen led the orchestra in Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and the Symphony in D minor of César Franck, with Mr. Groh joining them for the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor in between.

Pianist Joyce Yang, silver medalist in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, returned to Fort Worth for a solo recital this week. The eclectic program, in her words a “collage,” consisted of a broad mix of styles, well balanced and thoughtfully organized.

Rossen Milanov has been in town leading the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in this weekend’s concerts. Milanov recently finished serving as Associate Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and has compiled an extensive list of guest conducting appearances. His rapport with the musicians of the FWSO during this, his debut with the ensemble, was intimate and impressive.

What’s in a name, or for that matter, a label? Why does music “sound” German, American, French, or Russian? Violinist Cho-Liang Lin and pianist Jon Kimura Parker presented a duo recital at Fort Worth’s Bass Hall Tuesday evening, titled “An Evening in Paris”. Their thoughtful program consisted of works by French composers of the early twentieth century, and also by (long-time Parisian) Stravinsky.