Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I couldn't help but develop a keen interest in politics, but music, theater and visual art also proved great attractions. Music became my main focus after high school. I thought about being a cocktail pianist, but I hated taking requests, so I studied music history instead, earning a B.A. in that field from Eisenhower College (Seneca Falls, N.Y.) and an M.A. from Occidental College (Los Angeles). I then landed in journalism. After freelancing for the Washington Post and others, I was classical music critic for the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida, where I also contributed to NPR. I've written for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime contributor to Opera News. My book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002), can be found on the most discerning remainder racks.

I joined the Baltimore Sun as classical music critic in 2000 and, in 2009, also became theater critic, giving me the opportunity to annoy a whole new audience. In 2010, my original Clef Notes blog expanded to encompass a theatrical component -- how could I resist calling it Drama Queens? I hope you'll find both sides of this blog coin worth exploring and reacting to; your own comments are always welcome and valued (well, most of them, at least).

Think of this as your open-all-hours, cyber green room, where there's always a performer or performance to discuss, some news to digest, or maybe just a little good gossip to share.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

---

Marin Alsop

---

PHOTO GALLERY
Famous faces in classical music

BALTIMORE AREA RESOURCES
• Marin Alsop's official site
• An die Musik
• Bach Concert Series
• Baltimore Chamber Orchestra
• Baltimore Choral Arts Society
• Baltimore Classical Guitar Society
• Baltimore Concert Opera
• Baltimore Opera Co. Inc.
• Baltimore Opera Theatre
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Chesapeake Chamber Opera
• Community Concerts at Second/Chamber Music by Candlelight
• Concert Artists of Baltimore
• Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra
• Handel Choir of Baltimore
• Lyric Opera House
• Maryland State Boychoir
• Mobtown Modern
• Music in the Great Hall
• Opera Vivente
• Peabody Institute
• Pro Musica Rara
• Soulful Symphony
• Shriver Hall Concert Series
• Towson University Center for the Arts
• UMBC Arts Calendar
• University of Baltimore Student Center Performing Arts Theater

WASHINGTON AREA RESOURCES
• Clarice Smith Center
• Kennedy Center
• Music Center at Strathmore
• National Philharmonic
• National Symphony Orchestra
• Washington National Opera
• Washington Performing Arts Society

ANNAPOLIS AREA RESOURCES
• Annapolis Chorale
• Annapolis Opera
• Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

MARYLAND RESOURCES
• Maryland Symphony Orchestra

CLASSICAL RESOURCES
• Arts Journal
• Musical America
• New Music Box

Get free Sun alerts sent to your mobile phone.*

Sign up for nightlife text alerts Mobile Phone (required) Returning user? Update preferences. Sign up for more Sun text alerts

Plan your weekend with baltimoresun.com's best events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV picks and more delivered to you every Thursday for free.
See a sample | Sign up

• The addictive attraction of the International Music Score Library Project (3)
  megan hughes wrote: Wonderful resource. I, too, am nuts... [more]
  
• Peabody Chamber Opera sends colorful 'Postcard From Morocco' (1)
  Don Ciccio wrote: Postcard from Morocco seems to be p... [more]
  
• Midweek Madness: Perry Como and the art of laid-back singing (1)
  Dahlink wrote: Tim--very funny. But perhaps you sh... [more]
  
• For Mozart's birthday, three of his most divine minutes (5)
  Claudia wrote: Thank you. This is a wonderful cel... [more]
  
• Nicholas McGegan returns to BSO podium for spirited workout (2)
  LJ Kirk wrote: This was my second concert under Ni... [more]