Arts & Culture

There are essentially two views of Puccini. To his admirers he is one of the most beloved, most lyrical and at times moving composers of the modern period -- and successful beyond anyone’s wildest imaginings.

Detractors, however, have a different view. For all the dramatic (or melodramatic) force of his music and his undeniable lyric gift, finally he is enthralled by the mob. His lucrative populism is almost an embarrassment, and the joke he once told about his talent: "God touched me, but with his little finger," is perhaps, a truer saying than his fans care to admit.

Got an idea for a classical cartoon, or a reaction to this one? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Pablo Helguera is a New York-based artist working with sculpture, drawing, photography and performance. His new book is Helguera's Artunes. You can see more of his work at Artworld Salon and on his own site.

• Anne Akiko Meyers — the violinist who made news a year ago for an album recorded on her two Stradivarius instruments, including the then record price-breaking "Molitor" Strad, which she purchased for $3.6 million — announced yesterday that she's been given lifetime use of the 1741 "Vieuxtemps" Guarne

Marching band will fill Boerne Champion High School Auditorium

Drumline Live is an international tour based on the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition. With rhythm, bold beats and energy, the stage show is a synchronized musical showcase. Incorporating original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits, group performances ranges from colorful, choreographed routines to heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences.

Brahms Fest continues Saturday night at OLLU

Voices, piano, and dance all come together at the Brahms Festival this weekend with Opera Piccola's Gypsy Love.  Two sets of Gypsy songs and the New Lovesong Waltzes will be performed with a quartet of singers.

The Ballet Arts School will interpret these songs, with original choreography.  

The West African nation of Mali has seen instability and violence since March of 2012 when a military coup overthrew the government of President Amadou Toumani Touré. Since then, the violence has escalated as Islamic extremists have joined the fighting and further divided the country into North and South.

This month France announced their intervention due to the rapid escalation of violence over the last few months, and the United States is now helping with operational support.