
Lloyd Schwartz
Arts Critic
Lloyd Schwartz is currently Somerville's Poet Laureate, for which he has been awarded a major fellowship from the Academy of American Poets. His latest book, "Who’s on First? New and Selected Poems," is published by the University of Chicago Press. His work has been selected for "The Best American Poetry," "The Best of the Best American Poetry," and the Pushcart Prize, and he is the recipient of a 2019 Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship for his poetry. The longtime classical music critic for NPR’s Fresh Air, he was also the classical music editor of The Boston Phoenix, for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1994. He is the Frederick S. Troy Professor of English Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Recently published

A guide to Greater Boston's spring classical music concerts
From Castle of Our Skins' sound portraits to Boston Lyric Opera's delightful sounding "Daughter of the Regiment," WBUR critic Lloyd Schwartz shares the performances he's particularly eager to hear —...

After the BSO's decision, a critic reviews Andris Nelsons' dismissal and tenure
The news of Nelsons contract coming to an end was seismic in the classical music world. While WBUR art critic Lloyd Schwartz wasn’t shocked by the decision, the way it's...

An extensive guide to Greater Boston's winter classical music concerts
From the Boston Symphony Orchestra's all John Williams program to the conductorless A Far Cry's "Appalachian Spring" concert, WBUR arts critic Lloyd Schwartz shares his list of the season's upcoming...

A guide to Greater Boston's autumnal cornucopia of classical music events
From White Snake Project's opera "White Raven, Black Dove" to Radius Ensemble's "Currents" concert, WBUR arts critic Lloyd Schwartz compiles an abundance of opportunities to experience classical music this fall.

A guide to summer's classical music festivals
From the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Tanglewood to a collection of concerts at Newport mansions, the summer is brimming with opportunities to experience classical music. WBUR arts critic Lloyd Schwartz...
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At the MFA, Van Gogh's portraits reveal his capacity for friendship
At the heart of this show are 14 of the 26 portraits Van Gogh made of Joseph Roulin and his family, along with works by artists the painter admired, photos,...

Boston Lyric Opera's 'Carousel' is hindered by its staging
In 1945, Rodgers and Hammerstein's show had a pre-Broadway run in Boston. While still enjoyable, this anniversary production "might create bigger challenges" for a contemporary audience, WBUR arts critic Lloyd...

A guide to Greater Boston's bounty of spring classical music events
From the Borromeo String Quartet to the Boston Early Music Festival, WBUR arts critic Lloyd Schwartz compiles the irresistible performances of the season.

A guide to Greater Boston's numerous winter classical music events
From Boston Opera Collaborative's "Missed Connections" to quartet Yarn/Wire at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, WBUR arts critic Lloyd Schwartz highlights the concerts and productions he's looking forward to this...

The Gardner Museum offers an intimate look at Manet's 'Model Family'
The illuminating exhibit is "both fascinating and deeply satisfying in the way — probably for the first time — it opens a window on the connections between Manet’s work and...