Eugene Onegin

Eugene Onegin / Wiener Staatsoper

Asmik Grigorian and Boris Pinaskovich star in a live video stream of Dmitri Tcherniakov‘s production from Vienna

Streamed May 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
A favorite Verdi performance from swordsnsolvers A favorite Verdi performance from swordsnsolvers

Here in Chicago, I’ve had many a shot at listening to Riccardo Muti as a Verdi conductor.

On the party platform On the party platform

Don’t expect any sweeping statements from Franz Welser-Möst ‘s polished, if dramatically inert, Fidelio.

In my end is my beginning In my end is my beginning

Die Walküre heralds the end of an era for the Los Angeles Philharmonic — and the arrival of a new generation of Wagnerians.

A favorite Verdi performance from Sanford Schimel A favorite Verdi performance from Sanford Schimel

I’ve never been shy about my adoration of Anna Moffo.

Gorgon wild Gorgon wild

Iain Bell and Lydia Steier‘s Medusa stuns in Brussels.

A favorite Verdi performance from John Danaher A favorite Verdi performance from John Danaher

My favorite Verdi performance is the iconic 1960 RCA recording of Otello with Jon Vickers in the title role and the Rome Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of the masterly Tullio Serafin.

La Damnation de Faust

La Damnation de Faust / Prague Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Tomáš Netopil and tenor Paul Appleby lead a live broadcast of Berlioz’s opera from Prague.

Streamed May 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Garden leave Garden leave

Brigitte Fassbaender’s acid-laced production of La finta giardiniera leans into the absurdities of Mozart’s early dramma giocoso.

A favorite Verdi performance from Niel Rishoi A favorite Verdi performance from Niel Rishoi

Tebaldi, at La scala, in one of her nights of glory, where the voice poured out effortlessly, singing with utter conviction, and no soprano ever appealed to God more fervently.

A favorite Verdi performance from Brendan Latimer A favorite Verdi performance from Brendan Latimer

My contribution this month honors the great Sherrill Milnes in his electrifying performance of Iago’s credo (1979, Met).

Carmen

Carmen / Teatro la Fenice

Annalisa Stroppa leads a live performance from the Teatro La Fenice

Streamed May 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I could escape this feeling with my China girl I could escape this feeling with my China girl

Tired of Turandot? “The Dancing Goddess” at the China Institute Gallery gives us a glimpse at a real Peking Opera queen.

A favorite Verdi performance from Krunoslav A favorite Verdi performance from Krunoslav

Much as I love the Abbado Deutsche Grammophon studio set, this 1980 San Francisco Opera live Simon Boccanegra under Lamberto Gardelli has an emotional punch.

Turandot

Turandot / Metropolitan Opera

Anna Pirozzi sings the title tole in a live broadcast from New York

Streamed May 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Nabucco

Nabucco / Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden

Francesco Lanzilotta leads Ariunbaatar Ganbataar and Anastasia Bartoli in a live performance from Berlin

Streamed May 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The anxiety of influencer The anxiety of influencer

Constance: A Confession, presented in Brooklyn by Experiments in Opera, satirizes our digital age with style.

Difficult people Difficult people

Anna Pirozzi makes a welcome return to the Metropolitan Opera, but Turandot remains as thorny as ever.

A favorite Verdi performance from David Phillips A favorite Verdi performance from David Phillips

Bring on the drama, mama!

A favorite Verdi performance from Michael M. Landman-Karny A favorite Verdi performance from Michael M. Landman-Karny

Nadine Sierra‘s Gilda at the Metropolitan Opera had that rare quality of sounding both immaculate and spontaneous, as if Verdi’s lines were being discovered in the moment rather than executed.

Dream a little dream of me Dream a little dream of me

Gabriela Lena Frank’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego enchants and surprises despite the Disnified treatment of its subject matter.

The Pennsylvania Dutchman The Pennsylvania Dutchman

Verdi’s Stiffelio goes Amish in Vienna, featuring a stellar Luciano Ganci in the title role.

Less is more Less is more

Vanessa is spare and compelling in Heartbeat Opera’s production.

A favorite Verdi performance from Moe Rear A favorite Verdi performance from Moe Rear

Tito Gobbi‘s performance of Rigoletto’s “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata” offers the most musically and dramatically complete portrait of Verdi’s tortured court jester that I have ever heard.