Come and Gandhi
Led by a mesmerizing Anthony Roth Costanzo, Satyagraha at the Paris Opera dispenses with historical particularities for something for more elusive.
Recent Stories
Kuda, woulda, shoulda
A strong revival of Eugene Onegin at the Metropolitan Opera and a recital by Benjamin Bernheim offered the chance to hear “Kuda, kuda” twice in two days.
A favorite art song performance from Jamie Barton
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.
By Jamie Barton
18 comments
Breaking up is hard to do
Before her one-woman La voix humaine with the New York Philharmonic, Barbara Hannigan talks to Kevin Ng about her career, her artistry, and whether or not there’s a voice on the other line.
Trouble in paradise
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players‘s vivacious music making compensates for uninspired storytelling in their staging of Utopia, Limited.
Streamed April 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
16 comments
A favorite art song performance from Leyla Gender-Bender
While I like both Erna Berger and Maria Stader’s versions, Erna Berger brings more drama to the rendition.
By Leyla Gender-Bender
51 comments
Broadcast
Pelléas et Mélisande / Teatro alla Scala
Maxime Pascal conducts Bernard Richter and Sara Blanch in the title roles in a live broadcast from Milan
Streamed April 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
1 comment
Nailin’ the coughin’
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.
A favorite art song performance from Erika Baikoff
What I love most about Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s “Lilacs” is how beautifully it captures the quiet intimacy at the heart of art song.
By Erika Baikoff
26 comments
Streamed April 21, 2026 at 6:55 PM
72 comments
Dodging a bullet
Dull conducting makes Der Freischütz miss its mark at Carnegie Hall.
A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato
Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.
By Last Castrato
26 comments
Broadcast
Eugene Onegin / Metropolitan Opera
Asmik Grigorian and IIurii Samoilov lead a live opening night broadcast from New York
Streamed April 20, 2026 at 7:25 PM
340 comments
In the garden of Eden
Gregory Spears, whose newest opera Sleepers Awake opens this week at Opera Philadelphia, is reviving Romanticism
A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino
“Du bist die ruh” was one of the first art songs I ever knew.
By Armerjacquino
27 comments
Broadcast
The Death of Klinghoffer / Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
A live broadcast from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Streamed April 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM
21 comments
A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman
Respighi‘s liriche can be as colorful, poetic, and downright lovely as any selection from other art song traditions. Case in point: Rosa Feola‘s recording of the first song from Quattro rispetti toscani.
Broadcast
Innocence / Metropolitan Opera
Kaija Saariaho's final opera in a live broadcast from New York
Streamed April 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
127 comments
Music to heal the hurt
Ten years since the death of countertenor Brian Asawa, Charles Stanton remembers his friend and corrects the record on his untimely passing.
By Charles Stanton
11 comments
Two favorite art song performances from Julia Bullock
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.
By Julia Bullock
15 comments
Northern lights
SoCal goes Scandi in two recent concerts, with one featuring an appearance by Lise Davidsen.
A favorite art song performance from CKurwenal
I listen to about as much art song as I do opera and could have filled every day of April with favorite selections.
By CKurwenal
57 comments
Bach to Bach
An invigorating double bill at the San Francisco Symphony challenges how Bach “should” be performed.