The making of a reputation: Mozart as a mirror
A feature on a figure that everyone knows, without truly understanding; Itzhak Perlman and his friends takeover SF Symphony; and a global day of giving is coming.
Consider a persistently popular (although misleading) image surrounding the story of Mozart’s death. On a miserably cold, rainy day, the great composer (so the story goes) is unceremoniously tossed into an unmarked “pauper’s grave”—the final indignity heaped on a creative spirit whose true worth it will be left for posterity to fathom. As with so many assumptions about Mozart, the actual events have become almost inextricably entangled with a profusion of myths from the past two centuries (and counting).
Take that trope of the neglected genius. There’s no question that some of what we’ve since come to revere as most valuable about Mozart failed to gain appreciation in his lifetime. Yet his contemporaries (both fellow professionals and ordinary music lovers) cherished Mozart and his artistry right up to the untimely end of his career—not just the sensational memories of his bygone youth as a prodigy...
From the start, Mozart’s reputation fragmented into sometimes complementary, sometimes contradictory myths that began to compete with each other.
On the Stage
A powerhouse of performers take over Davies Symphony Hall; magic descends on Berkeley Rep; a debut performance from an eclectic pianist surprises at Cal Performances; and a tale of obsession takes place at SF Opera.
Itzhak Perlman & Friends
Classical | San Francisco Symphony
November 10 | Tickets
Settle in as the world’s most electrifying artists and ensembles converge at Davies Symphony Hall. Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman takes the stage with an all-star team of collaborators: pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Emanuel Ax and the Juilliard String Quartet.
More Events
- The Matchbox Magic Flute | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Now – December 8 | View the Program
- Enigma Variations | San Francisco Symphony | November 7 – 9 | View the Program
- Behzod Abduraimov | Cal Performances | November 10
- Carmen | San Francisco Opera | November 13 – December 1
Next Line
This week it is all about looking forward to the future through the progress of global nonprofits, the cast of San Francisco’s holiday tradition, and the next big opera star.
- Get ready for GivingTuesday 2024. This year the global day of giving will take place on December 3, 2024. Start preparing by researching the organizations and nonprofits that you want to support.
- The casting for San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker has been announced. The 20th anniversary of former Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson’s production will play at the War Memorial Opera House on December 6 to 29.
- The annual showcase for San Francisco Opera’s resident artists with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra takes place on November 15. Discover the next great opera singer at The Adlers in Concert.
