Robert Brubaker sang the taxing role of Alviano with unflagging intensity, perhaps missing some lyric nuance along the way.
Though Ms. Persson's voice may lack the sheer sensual beauty of some lyric sopranos, her singing here had alluring bloom, penetrating warmth and agility.
At times, I wanted him to intervene more pointedly: the Scherzos could have used a stronger rhythmic thrust, and some lyric phrases might have had a more songful shape.
It never really worked, and last year John picked it up again, streamlined it musically and suggested some lyric changes — actually lyric deletions, as he thought it was too wordy.
Aside from the sword inked onto his left cheek, there were no distractions: just some lyric sheets in front of him, a pianist and a bassist and a bunch of old American standards.
JON PARELES THE HOLD STEADY "Heaven Is Whenever" (Vagrant) After a performance late Friday night at the Barrel of Fish, Your Little Hoodrat Friend — a cover band dedicated to performing the songs of the Brooklyn band the Hold Steady — left some lyric sheets scattered on Bleecker Street.
