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Soundcheck

Tuesday, October 05, 2004
  • Tenor Juan Diego Florez
    Juan Diego Flores (www.juandiegoflorez.com)

    Rossinian Romps and Tokyo Jazz

    As the opera world prepares for Luciano Pavarotti's retirement, fans are searching for the next legendary tenor. To some, anointed heir has been found: Juan Diego Florez. The 31-year-old Peruvian joins guest host Anthony DeCurtis to talk about what it’s like to be the new kid on the proverbial opera block, and about the parallels between Donizetti and soccer. We’re also joined by WNYC cultural producer Alicia Zuckerman, who recently spoke with stage director, Julie Taymor, who is perhaps best known for directing Broadway’s The Lion King. Her latest venture takes her down a different road, as the brains behind the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Rounding out the show, we visit with Grammy-nominated jazz piano phenom Brad Mehldau, whose latest album breaks down the walls separating Gershwin, Nick Drake, and Radiohead.

Best Live Performances of 2008

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We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

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Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

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Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

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We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.