Christopher Corwin

Christopher Corwin began writing for parterre box in 2011 under the pen name “DeCaffarrelli.” His work has also appeared in , The New York Times, Musical America, The Observer, San Francisco Classical Voice and BAMNotes. Like many, he came to opera via the Saturday Met Opera broadcasts which he began listening to at age 11. His particular enthusiasm is 17th and 18th century opera. Since 2015 he has curated the weekly podcast Trove Thursday on parterre box presenting live recordings.

For a few dolors more For a few dolors more

LoftOpera’s accurately but unpromisingly named Pergolesi & Vivaldi stumbled rather than soared.

on June 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Composer’s intentions Composer’s intentions

A live broadcast of the prologue to Ariadne auf Naxos featuring Julia Varady, a favorite sopranos in a role she sang only rarely.

on June 15, 2017 at 12:53 PM
And three for Mahler And three for Mahler

A poster outside Carnegie Hall proclaimed “Mahler Well Met” and to some degree it proved to be true.

on June 08, 2017 at 9:00 AM
We just wanna be loved We just wanna be loved

A complete live performance of Stephen Sondheim’s wildly eccentric Anyone Can Whistle featuring the divine Audra McDonald as Fay.

on June 08, 2017 at 7:45 AM
Tomb service Tomb service

An outstanding performance of Weber’s Euryanthe to share on “Trove Thursday.”

on June 02, 2017 at 4:56 PM
I won’t dance, don’t ask me I won’t dance, don’t ask me

A live Un Ballo in Maschera featuring Jon Vickers, Amy Shuard, Lucia Popp, Shirley Verrett and Peter Glossop.

on May 25, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit

At long last, cher public, a finale to our Senta’s Ballad quiz, nearly a month late! The name of the winner and the complete lists of sopranos after the jump. 

on May 23, 2017 at 8:00 AM
The son-in-law also rises The son-in-law also rises

The 2017 Glyndebourne Festival opens on Saturday with the UK premiere of L’Ipermestra conducted by William Christie and directed by Graham Vick.

on May 18, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Saluting Kurt Moll Saluting Kurt Moll

“Trove Thursday” pays tribute to the great German bass Kurt Moll

on May 11, 2017 at 12:03 PM
Fifty shades of gold Fifty shades of gold

Anticipation of events like the Metropolitan Opera’s 50th Anniversary bash turns me back into the newly opera-soused kid who begged his parents to let him watch the highlights of the Bing Gala on the family color television.

on May 08, 2017 at 12:53 PM
Angry in a noble manner Angry in a noble manner

“Trove Thursday” presents a live Motezuma conducted by Alan Curtis with Karina Gauvin, Sonia Prina, Mary-Ellen Nesi, Vito Priante and Ann Hallenberg (as Hernán Cortés!). 

on May 04, 2017 at 9:51 AM
One Handel, one heart One Handel, one heart

I don’t usually attend a performance of an opera I’ve known well most of my life expecting a revelation.

on May 01, 2017 at 10:28 AM
The song is you The song is you

Met audiences might have to wait a very long time for Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

on April 27, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Gewitter und Sturm Gewitter und Sturm

The wild tempest that whipped and drenched the audience as it exited the Met after Tuesday’s season premiere of Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer mirrored the finer features of the evening.

on April 26, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Spin the dial Spin the dial

After the jump, a quiz featuring 15 singers performing Senta’s Ballad.

on April 24, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Haydn in plain sight Haydn in plain sight

Although his operas don’t get much love, Haydn often wrote beautifully for the voice.

on April 20, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Same steppes, different dancers Same steppes, different dancers

Is there a more gorgeous male voice before the public today than Peter Mattei’s? Has Anna Netrebko ever sounded better?

on April 18, 2017 at 12:16 PM
Through a glass vaguely Through a glass vaguely

Any production of Der Rosenkavalier that can transform the usually excruciating first half of the third act into a hilarious romp already has my vote.

on April 14, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Their sound is gone out into all lands Their sound is gone out into all lands

“Trove Maundy Thursday” offers a recent un-HIP version of Handel’s Messiah.

on April 13, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Da drin ist die silberne Ros’n Da drin ist die silberne Ros’n

A week from tonight the Met premieres an eagerly anticipated new Der Rosenkavalier, its first in nearly 50 years—probably to the dismay of many grown used to the venerable Nathaniel Merrill–Robert O’Hearn production. As a preview “Trove Thursday” offers a live broadcast of Richard Strauss’s most popular opera with a delicious cast headed by Régine…

on April 06, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Blood and Gorr Blood and Gorr

Massenet’s La Navarraise in a live performance featuring Rita Gorr as Anita and George Shirley as Araquil.

on March 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM
The most dangerous game The most dangerous game

“Trove Thursday” presents a recording of the rare L’Olimpiade featuring Joan Caplan and Rita Shane in the two leading castrato roles.

on March 23, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Dancing with the stars Dancing with the stars

“Trove Thursday” presents Altre Stelle, a fascinating performance piece which includes superb renditions of excerpts from operas by Berlioz, Cherubini, Gluck and Rameau.

on March 16, 2017 at 10:03 AM
Happy ending Happy ending

This week Trove Thursday endeavors to broaden his exposure with a bubbly performance of Il Marito Disperato starring Sylvia Geszty.

on March 09, 2017 at 3:09 PM