The Talk of the Town
A favorite mezzo performance from Rowna Sutin
Irina Arkhipova gives a masterclass in singing in this thrilling excerpt from The Maid of Orleans by Tchaikovsky.
A favorite mezzo performance from CKurwenal
And then I remembered how much I love Cecilia Bartoli who was a major star when I first got into opera in my teens and remains so today.
A favorite mezzo performance from Mister Snow
Who knew that Giulietta Simionato was so excellent in the Rossini coloratura repertoire?
A favorite mezzo performance from Sun-Ly Pierce
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson’s performance of “As with rosy steps the morn” from Handel’s Theodora is a masterclass in the confidence to simply hold space.
A favorite mezzo performance from Peter
Seeing and hearing Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sing Didon at the Met was one of the greatest performances in my many years of opera going.
A favorite mezzo performance from Mr. Portafiori
One mezzo I have always enjoyed was Elena Obraztsova.
A favorite mezzo performance from SopranoCentral
I’ve been an Elena Obraztsova superfan since I was 16.
A favorite mezzo performance from dessaix79
Brigitte Fassbaender tears through the role like no other.
A favorite mezzo performance from DC K
Most stunning mezzo performance in the premiere of an opera at the Met.
Next season I’m excited for a spring bouquet of Handel operas
Last September I was most excited by Handel oratorios being performed during the 2025-26 season. This time I’m really looking forward to three of the composer’s operas arriving within a few weeks of each other in Spring 2027.
Next season I’m excited for Maria Stuarda
Isn’t it fun to see the Virgin Queen spew out some coloratura?
Next season I’m excited for Agneta Eichenholz
Eichenholz is much too rare on stage these days.
Next season I’m excited for Aigul Akhmetshina as Dalila
The mezzo international anthem is so oversung that we forget how hard it is to sing.
Next season I’m excited for Hérodiade
Finally, finally, a change to see Massenet‘s Hérodiade, albeit in concert from, though I long for a day when the Met or the Lyric Opera of Chicago would give us a staged performance.
Next season I’m excited for Silent Night
I guess it’s no secret here that I LOVE contemporary operas.
Next season I’m excited for Lear and Mittwoch aus Licht
Berlin’s 26-27 season opens with a bang.
Next season I’m looking forward to Otello
I am very much interested in La Scala’s upcoming opening night with Verdi’s Otello.
Next season I’m excited for Il pirata
I’m overdue for some bel canto and WCO has historically done it well.
Next season I’m excited for Alessandro
This season marks the third annual visit of The English Concert to American shores, this time with a production of Handel’s Alessandro.
Next season I’m excited for Lincoln in the Bardo
George Saunders’s unforgettable novel about the greatest sorrow known to humankind—surviving the loss of a child and letting go—work as sung theater by Missy Mazzoli.
Next season I’m excited for King Roger
Evgeny Titov, locally infamous for his production of Salome where the titular heroine wears a paper mask for the entire performance, returns with Szymanowski’s shimmering King Roger.
Next season I’m excited for Manon with Nadine Sierra
There are several HDs that look interesting, but what I most looking forward to is the Manon with Nadine Sierra.
Next season I’m excited for La fanciulla del West
I’m looking forward to the Met’s new production of Puccini’s La fanciulla del West.