Funnily enough, I’m not remotely a Rachmaninov fan, but this performance by Galina Vishnevskaya in her considerable prime always gives me the chills.
With youthful abandon, Ms. Feola interprets an old chestnut.
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.
While I like both Erna Berger and Maria Stader’s versions, Erna Berger brings more drama to the rendition.
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.
What I love most about Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s “Lilacs” is how beautifully it captures the quiet intimacy at the heart of art song.
Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.
“Du bist die ruh” was one of the first art songs I ever knew.
Ten years since the death of countertenor Brian Asawa, Charles Stanton remembers his friend and corrects the record on his untimely passing.
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.
I listen to about as much art song as I do opera and could have filled every day of April with favorite selections.
This performance of Poulenc‘s “Les Chemins de l’amour” is a gem.
With Nixon, Klinghoffer, and Andris Nelsons on the mind, Parterre Box offers a recording of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s recent John Adams outing.
A very haunting Hugo Wolf song sung exquisitely here by Arleen Auger.
I had heard the renowned Dutch soprano on recordings and was an admirer of hers. I was unprepared, however, for such a truly memorable evening.
Thanks to Elly Ameling, I made it through college.
Does this count as an art song?
I have always loved this recording of Canteloube‘s Chants d’Auvergne sung by Dawn Upshaw and conducted by Kent Nagano.
Lyric Opera of Chicago announces its 2026-27 season.
Jessye Norman really embraces elements of the song falling somewhere between classical art song and popular ballad.
American tenor Charles Castronovo performs a bit of Weber’s Der Freischütz ahead of the opportunity to hear Berlioz‘s take on the score at Carnegie Hall next week.
Janet Baker sings Elgar‘s Sea Pictures with such honesty and clarity and fervor.
It’s not where you start but where you Finnish
Wolfgang Holzmair‘s performance was amazing in its personal and intimate approach.
Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, and top reads
delivered to your email weekly…ish.
