The Other America
Europeans see the USA through a metropolitan prism. Hollywood emphasizes its cities, its cars and its politics. But there is another...
Vikings (at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia)
Blockbuster archaeology exhibitions are increasingly challenging to mount. Do you market the show as if it was (and in this case is) a...
Democracy, liberty and a cook called Hercules
Today I was invited to WHYY in Philadelphia to participate in a radio programme. The theme was the silent rise of demagogues and...
Nico Muhly’s Liar, Suite from Marnie
The Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin kicked off its new season with a world premiere of Nico Muhly’s Liar –...
Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary
It is a power lesson in museology: the monumental past forcing the visitor to reflect on the present. Close to Fairmont Park and...
Alma Deutscher at the California Theatre
When I was invited to the first night of Alma Deutscher’s opera, Cinderella, I was in two minds. How on earth could a child prodigy of 12...
Metal-detecting on the beach at Palm Beach
Thanks to AUR’s vivacious board member, Debra Tornaben, I was lucky enough to speak to the Palm Beach Round Table about my Travels with...
Longwood Gardens
Created by Pierre du Pont, the Wilmington mogul of the earlier 20th century, Longwood Gardens take your senses by storm. More than a...
Germantown revelry
There are two Americas. There’s the 24-hour news cycle and then there is the quotidian energy of the country. I never watch television,...
Italy in Philly: Gran Caffe L’Aquila
Philadelphia has its own Little Italy and strong connections with the Mezzogiorno of old. But now there is a new connection and one that...
