review / recording
As revivals of the composer’s sprawling works represent a daunting expense for many opera houses, exceptionally cast recordings of such concert performances serve as valuable documents that foster appreciation for his achievements.
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There were, of course, other Chénier recordings beyond the truly great ones…
By Andrew Knapp
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Quite simply, the singers are not around today who are steeped in the tradition of verismo, or for that matter the later part of the 19th century.
By Andrew Knapp
In 1982 I saw Turandot at the San Francisco Opera, the year after I became an opera fan, and it was my first live opera.
By Patrick Mack
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Merry Widow | Finger Lakes, NY | July 25-28
Geneva Light Opera’s production of Lehar’s The Merry Widow will feature prize-winning baritone Bryan Murray and soprano Alexis Olinyk in the superb acoustics of in the landmark Smith Opera House in Geneva, New York on July 25, 27, and 28. A small city on the north end of the largest of NY’s Finger Lakes, Geneva…
Swiss soprano Regula Mühlemann made her New York recital debut at Weill Hall on May 8.
In the lead up to LA Opera’s mounting of Turandot on May 18th (hooray!) I thought I’d touch on some of my favorite recordings and new re-masters I’ve discovered. I have them all.
By Patrick Mack
Yes, there were other Giocondas if not of quite the same distinction. Chronologically…
By Andrew Knapp
And what a luxury it is to experience this musically outstanding Parsifal with a cast of this caliber!
Leos Janácek’s rise to international prominence as a Titan of music was dovetailed by a cluster of profoundly original operas that were written during his extraordinary autumnal years.
We may all be armchair Handelians, but some of us are more used to it than others.
By Patrick Mack
And what a sonically fascinating and vibrant Atys it is!
Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Thomas Corneille’s Médée is a monument of the 17th century French baroque lyric tragedy.
Perhaps the greatest souvenir of her art there is.
By Patrick Mack
When our friends at Naxos and C Major announced near-dueling releases of Puccini’s “shabby little shocker,” I was ready with my critic’s pen dipped in bile.
By Patrick Mack
