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John Gibbons holds a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of Chicago. He teaches music appreciation classes at the Universality of Chicago’s Graham School and at Newberry Library. He also offers private piano lessons in the Chicago area.

Bonnie Gibbons is a web site developer and SEO with a background in classical music. She might be persuaded to teach a few cello lessons in the Chicago area.

A brief Postscript to "A Bridge Across the Abyss"

If you want to understand the world of Richard Strauss, circa 1919,  the book to read is Stefan Zweig’s  “The World of Yesterday”, which is a combination of autobiography, social commentary, and cultural anaylsis. If you can find it, you might also try Lotte Lehman’s “Five Operas and Richard Strauss”.

A clarification: the leitmotiv I’m referring to comes initially when the Emperor is describing how he wounded his favorite falcon, out of some weird fear or jealousy, at the time he captures the gazelle, which turns into the Empress. It is a small phrase from the long, opulent melody associated with the Emperor as hunter. 

Prokofiev and Berlioz with the Verbier Festival Orchestra

"A Bridge Across the Abyss" -Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten (at Chicago Lyric Opera, the dress rehearsal was this afternoon)