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.

Blond ambition Blond ambition

This showcase concert gave notice that countertenor Hugh Cutting is among the most promising artists of his generation.

on June 26, 2023 at 9:48 AM
A divided duty A divided duty

Today’s Chris’s Cache features live recordings of Otello most noteworthy for their Desdemonas: (in chronological order) Teresa Stratas, Julia Varady, Eva Marton and Karita Mattila.

on June 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Sweeney, supersized Sweeney, supersized

Opera house versions of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd featuring Bryn Terfel / Judith Christin and Thomas Allen / Felicity Palmer.

on June 07, 2023 at 10:18 AM
Expected Wagneriennes Expected Wagneriennes

Christa Ludwig sings Kundry in Parsifal with Helge Brilioth, Thomas Stewart and Cesare Siepi conducted by Leopold Ludwig, followed by a legendary Birgit NilssonJon Vickers Tristan und Isolde led by Erich Leinsdorf.

on May 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Crazy extremes Crazy extremes

Simon McBurney’s Die Zauberflöte, the second new production of the Met’s May Mozart Miracle, opened on Friday to rousing near-unanimous cheers.

on May 24, 2023 at 8:00 AM
First thoughts First thoughts

JJ//La Cieca crave your indulgence as they address some ongoing health challenges.

on May 17, 2023 at 2:06 AM
Unexpected Wagneriennes Unexpected Wagneriennes

After attending three Met Lohengrins I’ve gone into Wagner withdrawal waiting for the upcoming Der Fliegende Holländer.

on May 09, 2023 at 11:39 AM
I’ll remember April I’ll remember April

If April is the cruelest month, it may be that spring’s arrival brings far too many things to do and see.

on May 04, 2023 at 12:29 PM
Coronations and other occasions Coronations and other occasions

While Charles III’s coronation (with Harry but without Meghan and Fergie) commences in London on Saturday, the party started early last month at Carnegie Hall when the Orchestra of St. Luke’s joined by La Chappelle de Québec performed Handel’s gloriously celebratory Coronation Anthems which were composed for a 1727 crowning.

on May 02, 2023 at 10:59 AM
Elaborate coloratura, stylish élan Elaborate coloratura, stylish élan

This review attempts to capture my ecstatic reactions to Contra-Tenor, one of the greatest recordings I’ve ever heard.

on April 25, 2023 at 7:46 AM
Mozart for another time Mozart for another time

Eagerly awaiting Met May Mozart Madness, Chris’s Cache presents a starry quintet of the master’s operas not being done next month.

on April 23, 2023 at 10:23 AM
Some disenchanted evening Some disenchanted evening

Today Chris’s Cache offers Angela Meade in Les vêpres siciliennes, along with a complementary I vespri siciliani starring Carol Vaness, another favorite American soprano.

on April 05, 2023 at 10:49 AM
You must believe in spring You must believe in spring

Chris’s Cache ends March with Berlioz’s exquisite Shakespeare adaptation Béatrice et Bénédict because it’s just the best thing to listen to on a spring day.

on March 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Someday she’ll come along, the girl I love Someday she’ll come along, the girl I love

In Richard Strauss’s Arabella, the heroine is consumed with finding the right man—der Richtige—but who is the right Arabella?

on March 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Sacred raptures cheer my breast Sacred raptures cheer my breast

The English Concert’s annual Handel tour brings Solomon conducted by Harry Bicket to the US beginning Sunday March 5. In anticipation, Chris’s Cache offers Solomon plus four other oratorios by the master:  Belshazzar, Hercules, Saul and Jephtha, all via broadcasts for which I feel a personal connection.

on March 02, 2023 at 10:16 AM
Zero gravitas Zero gravitas

On the train ride home I was thinking that I don’t want to see or hear Norma ever again.

on March 01, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Guys who sing high (and others) Guys who sing high (and others)

A stack of noteworthy recent baroque vocal CDs on my desk has been staring at me for weeks, so I’m tackling them on Handel’s birthday before the Met roars back into action beginning this weekend.

on February 23, 2023 at 9:08 AM
Purcell takes the stage Purcell takes the stage

On Saturday at Alice Tully Hall, Julliard 415, the school’s top-flight period-instrument ensemble, was joined by students from the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Juilliard Drama for a rare semi-staging of King Arthur.

on February 15, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Act two Act two

Chris’s Cache sends Renata Scotto a valentine ahead of her 89th birthday next week with rare in-house recordings of eight (!) mid-career performances spanning 1971-1977.

on February 14, 2023 at 11:06 AM
Here comes the judgement Here comes the judgement

Chris’s Cache offers a pride of short early English works: John Blow’s Venus and Adonis (1683); Purcell’s King Arthur (1691) and The Indian Queen (1695); John Eccles’s The Judgement of Paris (1700); William Boyce’s Solomon (1743); and John Stanley’s Arcadia (1762).

on February 06, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Pearls of great Price Pearls of great Price

Anticipating Leontyne Price’s 96th birthday on February 10, Chris’s Cache presents the American diva in an epic collection of live performances.

on January 25, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Trapped Trapped

What happens when you attend a performance and it doesn’t engage you? 

on January 24, 2023 at 11:51 AM
Mass appeal Mass appeal

A week from tonight Franz Welser-Möst brings the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus to Carnegie Hall for a rare performance of Schubert’s Mass No. 6 in E-flat Major, D 950.

on January 11, 2023 at 9:01 AM
The world is treating me bad The world is treating me bad

We constantly wonder whether the young man will embrace him—or slit his throat.

on January 10, 2023 at 1:36 PM