'Wozzeck': not to be missed in L.A. and N.Y.

Related topics WozzeckEsa-Pekka SalonenCal Performances Rating for Philharmonia concert performance of Berg's "Wozzeck" 5 Advertisement A white-heat intensive, glorious concert performance of Alban Berg's 1925 "Wozzeck" Saturday night in UC-Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall was an all-around triumph with a sad footnote. Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Philharmonia, and soloists were magnificent, but the sea of empty seats was disheartening. Excuses for not filling the hall were obvious: even Salonen, who has called the atonal opera "central to my life and repertoire," admits that "it's a difficult piece - not exactly the 'Nessun dorma' experience." Also, on a university campus an event...