Author Archives: Neil Kurtzman
Aldo Protti
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 27th September 2025Aldo Protti (1920–1995) was a fine Italian baritone active in the middle of the last century. His prime coincided with that of a host of other outstanding Italian and American baritones. That is the reason he is not as well remembered as he deserves. But at his best he was a consummate artist who fully…
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Acetaminophen During Pregnancy
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 23rd September 2025Confusion now hath made his masterpiece Politics and medicine make for a bad amalgam under the best of circumstances. The Trump administration’s warning that acetaminophen (best known as Tylenol, but widely available under other marques) might cause autism has created a mess – there’s no other word for the situation. There are so many things…
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Adventures in AI
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 19th September 2025I’ve been test driving a couple of AIs over the past few weeks. They’re quite proficient at assembling facts, dates, lists, and other information that would take a human a considerable amount of time to compile. But when it comes to opinions and judgments, it lacks proficiency and wisdom. The latter is tough to encode….
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When Getting It Right Doesn’t Matter
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 14th September 2025I recently read a review of a movie that involved historical events. The review was generally favorable; its only criticism was that the history was not accurate. I didn’t think about this for very long. I watched the movie and enjoyed it. I quickly forgot the film (and its name) as well as its supposed…
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Selections From Un Ballo In Maschera
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 9th September 2025Verdi’s A Masked Ball has been both popular and in the standard operatic repertory since its premiere in 1859. The opera is virtually perfect; its composer was at the peak of his formidable powers. It has everything: great arias for high soprano, dramatic soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and wonderful ensemble pieces. Though I’ve written about…
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Why Really Smart People Can Be Really Stupid
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 4th September 2025Before I start, I must assure the reader that I will give no contemporary example that supports the premise of the title. To do so would alienate at least half my readers, who would in outrage, proclaim that I was the best proof of the title, or even worse, that I fit only the second…
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The Catalog Aria From Don Giovanni
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 26th August 2025Don Giovanni needs no further praise from anyone; it is one of opera’s supreme masterpieces. It has been the subject of more interpretations than sin. Leporello, the Don’s put upon servant, is as interesting a character as is the Don. His Act 1 ‘Catalog Aria’ (Madamina, il catalogo è questo) is as famous as anything…
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Great American Composers – Aaron Copland
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 22nd August 2025Aaron Copland (1900–1990) was born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of five children in a Jewish immigrant family. His first musical experiences came from his older sister Laurine, who gave him basic piano lessons. By age fifteen, he had decided to pursue music seriously. He immersed himself in opera scores…
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Lubbock Chamber Orchestra – Ladder to the Moon
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 19th August 2025The LCO will present the three works described below at its inaugural concert of the season, scheduled for September 19, 2025, at the Crickets Theater. For tickets go here. Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings – 1st MovementPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was the first Russian composer to achieve fame outside his native land. Despite the success of many…
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Mario Chamlee
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 11th August 2025Every major opera company needs singers who, though they lack star power, can perform leading roles wth competence on a regular basis. They might not sell tickets, but when they’re on the bill with big attractions, they hold the show together and do so creditably and with some distinction. Mario Chamlee (1892-1966) was such a…
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