Laffont Grand Finals Concert

Laffont Grand Finals Concert / Metropolitan Opera

Young singers vie for $20,000 apiece and a shot at operatic fame in a live broadcast from New York

Streamed March 22, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Tristan und Isolde

Tristan und Isolde / Metropolitan Opera

A momentous live broadcast from New York starring Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres

Streamed March 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam

Washington Concert Opera returned to its roots with a delightful performance of Georges Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles.

An embarrassment of riches An embarrassment of riches

A David Lang premiere at the New York Philharmonic brings a wealth of musical delights — and bodes well for Gustavo Dudamel‘s leadership.

A favorite bass performance from Cornelia A favorite bass performance from Cornelia

I don’t know if I’ll ever hear as great a performance as René Pape‘s Gurnemanz.

Lady in the dark Lady in the dark

Golda Schultz and Jonathan Ware present Dark Matter(s), an intriguing program of songs, at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

Hercules conquers Carnegie Hercules conquers Carnegie

William Guanbo Su and Ann Hallenberg are compelling in The English Concert’s presentation of Handel‘s Hercules at Carnegie Hall.

A favorite bass performance from Bere Wendriner A favorite bass performance from Bere Wendriner

Cesare Siepi and Giulio Neri give a reference rendition of the Grand Inquisitor scene.

Heaven is a place on earth Heaven is a place on earth

As part of Bass Month at the Box, Niel Rishoi considers six versions of “Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni” from La sonnambula for Perspectives on an Aria.

A favorite bass performance from Ivy Lin A favorite bass performance from Ivy Lin

Not much to say here. Legendary bass Mark Reizen was born in the USSR and thus never got to tour much to the west.

Drink me Drink me

Parterre Box answers the question, “how can a singer do both Tristan and Nemorino within a few month of each other?” with a clip of a recent role debut from Michael Spyres.

Once I was a schlepper, now I’m Miss Mazeppa Once I was a schlepper, now I’m Miss Mazeppa

John Danaher on the world-premiere recording of Clémence de Grandval‘s wild and worthy Mazeppa, the latest release from the operatic archaeologists at Palazzetto Bru Zane.

A favorite bass performance from Krunoslav A favorite bass performance from Krunoslav

Boris Christoff’s Procida (along with Cerquetti’s Elena) lifts Mario Rossi’s RAI Torino Vespri to distinction.

A favorite bass performance from Michael Landman-Karny A favorite bass performance from Michael Landman-Karny

If I must choose a single bass performance, it is still Boris Christoff’s Boris Godunov.

Here, there, and everywhere Here, there, and everywhere

David Fox and Dan Johnson report on Yannick Nézet-Seguin‘s recent performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia and New York.

Curioser and curioser Curioser and curioser

Three more months of The Talk of the Town means that we need your most sizzling takes!

A favorite bass performance from Kevin Ng A favorite bass performance from Kevin Ng

Boris Christoff‘s sound is justly famous, and his vocal splendor is on full display here.

Elektra

Elektra / Elbphilharmonie

Ingela Brimberg, Christina Nilsson, Karita Mattila, and Andreas Bauer Kanabas lead a performance recorded last month in Hamburg

Streamed March 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Madama Butterfly

Madama Butterfly / Metropolitan Opera

A live broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera

Streamed March 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
O Say, Can You Kelsey O Say, Can You Kelsey

Baritone Quinn Kelsey’s recital of English-language art songs in partnership with pianist Craig Ketter was a worthy celebration of Vocal Arts DC’s 35th-anniversary season.

A favorite bass performance from Carmen Paddock A favorite bass performance from Carmen Paddock

Christopher Purves in Saul – the clarity, the range, the expression, the drama!

La clemenza di Tito

La clemenza di Tito / Wiener Staatsoper

Katleho Mokhoabane sings the title role in a live video broadcast from Vienna

Streamed March 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Tunnel vision Tunnel vision

Lise Davidsen, Michael Spyres, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin are astonishing in Tristan und Isolde at the Met, while Yuval Sharon‘s new production is anything but.

Otherwise occupied Otherwise occupied

Parterre Box features a performance from two belcantisti who would rather you not think about their political affiliations.