Joseph Dalton

Troy

Freelance Writer at Times Union (Albany)

Freelance arts journalist and author. Contributor to Times Union, Albany NY. Author Washington's Golden Age.

Featured in: Favicon

timesunion.com Favicon

medium.com Favicon

washingtonpost.com Favicon

chron.com

lmtonline.com Favicon

wamc.org

washingtonlife.com Favicon

dairyherd.com Favicon

hoards.com Favicon

bovinevetonline.com + 1 more

Articles

Review: Take in joy at 'La Vie Parisienne,' despite shaky orchestra

6 days ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

With a pacing faster than a sitcom and sometimes funnier, Opera Sartatoga’s production of “La Vie Parisienne” is all about indulgence, desire and diversion. Best known for his comedies, the French composer Jacques Offenbach knew how to appeal to the masses, saying “no” to long arias and death scenes, and “yes” to flirtations and foolishness. The company of 15 first-class singers was ready at the starting gate for the race in two acts, each of which finished with a rousing, high-kicking can-can.
Classical Notes: Summer spectacles abound, from Black composers to Joan Baez tributes

1 week ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

At this time of year but in an earlier era (like when the millennium was new), my desk would be covered with flyers and brochures for the summer music season. Now that’s all available online, but for some reason my desk is still a mess. Whether in print or online, it takes multiple passes through the plethora of choices to settle on a satisfying schedule. There are always compromises to be made, and enticing events that just don’t fit in.
Health care-focused O+ Festival coming to North Adams

1 week ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

When it comes to getting by as an artist, there's an old saying: "Sing for your supper." This weekend in North Adams, Mass., the phrase could be updated to "Create for your health care."On Saturday, the O+ Festival will fill the grounds of MASS MoCA and nearby streets with muralists and musical acts, plus workshops and seminars on various aspects of traditional and alternative wellness.
Albany Symphony Dogs of Desire shines with new work, Morricone tribute

2 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

TROY — When Los Angeles composer Celka Ojakangas started work on her commission from David Alan Miller and the Albany Syphony Orchestra, she took the suggestion to ponder the history, influences and cultures related to the Erie Canal, a timely topic in these parts.
Spanish Habits That Short-Circuit the American Mind

3 weeks ago | medium.com | Joseph Dalton

What’s happening on that bench? My friend Dave and I, buzzed and gazing at stars from a bench in Barcelona’s Ciutadella Park, rambled on about how la vida Española was the proper way to live. We were entering our 30th hour without sleep. Despite the resonant calls to return to the bunk beds in our 10-person hostel dorm, the desire for sleep could not overpower the Red Bull caffeine in our blood. It was St. Patrick’s Day. Las Ramblas was pure chaos; the energy was mad and contagious.
Review: 'In A Grove' a whodunit performance among the trees

4 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

Always the early bird, Opera Saratoga has once again launched our region’s busy summer season in music theater. This year’s icebreaker is a haunting and well-tailored recent work, “In A Grove,” a one-act whodunit performed alfrescoin the Saratoga Spa State Park. It was seen on Wednesday night and two more performances are scheduled for Thursday evening. The show will likely linger in memory well past summer’s end for the small number of patrons who caught it.
I Miss the Real AI

1 month ago | medium.com | Joseph Dalton

Authentic Intelligence Wins Every TimeI was scrolling through Instagram the other day when I noticed something. It was startling — jarring even. Two of my favorite internet personalities had used AI for their both their captions and carousel images. The very meat of their messages had no blood, bones, or marrow. It was the stuff of fluff. And I don’t know what to think now. These people discuss very heavy topics.
Classical Notes: Opera Saratoga season expands in length, shows

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

“I love a festival,” says Mary Birnbaum, director of Opera Saratoga. “I love the feeling of it and how it depends on a diversity of offerings, having conversations sparked by the pieces, and different artists coming in and sharing their perspectives.”Article continues below this adView the full schedule of Opera Saratoga at: operasaratoga.orgTo accomplish that kind of vision requires a range and quantity of offerings.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Cute Name

1 month ago | medium.com | Joseph Dalton

Let Squishmallows be a lesson to branding prosLast September, I was playing store with my unofficial goddaughter. She is six now, which means her pupils often meet her upper eyelids when someone tells a bad joke. And she no longer calls me “Ummklee Jo,” which makes me more than a little sad. But Lynn is cuter than Corduroy’s lost button and wittier than Mark Twain. She’s also a wry little capitalist. Her store has a complete return policy and an advanced exchange system.
Opera review: 'Giulio Cesare' continues innovative Handel at Hudson Hall

2 months ago | timesunion.com | Joseph Dalton

TROY – Hudson is becoming an opera destination, at least every 18 months or so. That’s the pace at which the resourceful and imaginative young director R.B. Schlather has been mounting striking new productions of Handel operas at the historic Hudson Hall. His “Giulio Cesare” was insightful, lively and full of surprises on Saturday’s opening night in the intimate and packed auditorium.