Verdi Requiem

Verdi Requiem / Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Myung-Whun Chung conducts Ailyn Pérez, Ekaterina Semenchuk, René Barbera, and Roberto Tagliavini in a live broadcast from Rome

Streamed April 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM
A favorite art song performance from Jamie Barton A favorite art song performance from Jamie Barton

This prompt of “favorite art song performance” seems just about as broad — and almost silly — a question as asking a painter what their favorite color is.

Breaking up is hard to do Breaking up is hard to do

Before her one-woman La voix humaine with the New York Philharmonic, Barbara Hannigan talks to Kevin Ng about her career, her artistry, and whether or not there’s a voice on the other line.

Trouble in paradise Trouble in paradise
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players‘s vivacious music making compensates for uninspired storytelling in their staging of Utopia, Limited.
The Bartered Bride

The Bartered Bride / Teatro Real

A live video broadcast from the Teatro Real in Madrid

Streamed April 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
A favorite art song performance from Leyla Gender-Bender A favorite art song performance from Leyla Gender-Bender

While I like both Erna Berger and Maria Stader’s versions, Erna Berger brings more drama to the rendition.

Pelléas et Mélisande

Pelléas et Mélisande / Teatro alla Scala

Maxime Pascal conducts Bernard Richter and Sara Blanch in the title roles in a live broadcast from Milan

Streamed April 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Nailin’ the coughin’ Nailin’ the coughin’

Rosa Feola, still scheduled for a run of performances as Violetta in New York this spring, is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.

A favorite art song performance from Erika Baikoff A favorite art song performance from Erika Baikoff

What I love most about Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s “Lilacs” is how beautifully it captures the quiet intimacy at the heart of art song.

La bohème

La bohème / Metropolitan Opera

A live broadcast from New York

Streamed April 21, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Dodging a bullet Dodging a bullet

Dull conducting makes Der Freischütz miss its mark at Carnegie Hall.

A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato

Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.

Eugene Onegin

Eugene Onegin / Metropolitan Opera

Asmik Grigorian and IIurii Samoilov lead a live opening night broadcast from New York

Streamed April 20, 2026 at 7:25 PM
In the garden of Eden In the garden of Eden

Gregory Spears, whose newest opera Sleepers Awake opens this week at Opera Philadelphia, is reviving Romanticism

A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino

“Du bist die ruh” was one of the first art songs I ever knew.

The Death of Klinghoffer

The Death of Klinghoffer / Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

A live broadcast from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Streamed April 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM
A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman

Respighi‘s liriche can be as colorful, poetic, and downright lovely as any selection from other art song traditions. Case in point: Rosa Feola‘s recording of the first song from Quattro rispetti toscani.

Innocence

Innocence / Metropolitan Opera

Kaija Saariaho‘s final opera in a live broadcast from New York

Streamed April 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Music to heal the hurt Music to heal the hurt

Ten years since the death of countertenor Brian Asawa, Charles Stanton remembers his friend and corrects the record on his untimely passing.

Two favorite art song performances from Julia Bullock Two favorite art song performances from Julia Bullock

This task feels near impossible, as I listen to a LOT of art song singers on repeat, across decades and continents (from piano to orchestral works)  — mostly for pleasure, but also for study. 

Northern lights Northern lights

SoCal goes Scandi in two recent concerts, with one featuring an appearance by Lise Davidsen.

A favorite art song performance from CKurwenal A favorite art song performance from CKurwenal

I listen to about as much art song as I do opera and could have filled every day of April with favorite selections.

Bach to Bach Bach to Bach

An invigorating double bill at the San Francisco Symphony challenges how Bach “should” be performed.

A favorite art song performance from Moe Rear A favorite art song performance from Moe Rear

This performance of Poulenc‘s “Les Chemins de l’amour” is a gem.