Monasteries, wineries, even whole cities – all dug out of soft volcanic rock over thousands of years. With the occasional canine companion, of course.

This gothic tale, set in anarchist-haunted, war-drained, superstitious Barcelona just prior to World War I, is a fictionalized account of the notorious real-life career of Enriqueta Martí, a serial child-killer and pimp.

Despite some narrative weakness, this new musical from the writers of 'Bedbugs!!!' is well worth seeing for its great music, wacky (true) stories, and fabulous cast.

ISIS? ISIL? Islamic State? Daesh? What's in a name? A lot.

Stavreva champions composers from her native Bulgaria, plays a mean Chopin, and is unafraid to perform her own works of rumbling, percussive intensity.

Forceful, wrenching, and thought-provoking, 'Glory Denied' with a number of productions under its belt still deserves further exposure in our age of constant war, with the lessons of Vietnam yet to be learned. It should be considered one of the major operas of the 21st century so far.

Fairy chimneys, cave hotels and monasteries, and an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride.

Jefferson Friedman's sharply modernistic but accessible new 'The Heart Wakes Into' paired nicely with Brahms's Quintet in F minor at the Metropolitan Museum.

Mozart's unearthly achievement with his unfinished 'Requiem' was on glorious display.

The Russian composer's long and active residence in New York City makes any celebration here of his work seem exceedingly fitting. With Russian-American soprano Dina Kuznetsova, baritone Shea Owens, and theremin player Dalit Warshaw joining pianist/arranger Steven Blier and pianist Michael Barrett, the NYFOS's tribute was a stellar evening.