Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni / Metropolitan Opera

A live broadcast from New York conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Streamed October 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Avec la victoire, l’instant du bonheur Avec la victoire, l’instant du bonheur

Buoyed by a strong cast, The Metropolitan Opera continues its autumn bel canto streak with a winning revival of Donizetti’s La fille du regiment.

Nothing makes us feel better than <em>Parsifal</em> and <em>Fedora</em> Nothing makes us feel better than <em>Parsifal</em> and <em>Fedora</em>

Parsifal puts Monsieur to sleep when he most needs it. He has probably listened to more versions than actually exist.

Rodelinda

Rodelinda / Garsington Opera

Lucy Crowe and Tim Mead lead a performance recorded at Garsington Opera this summer

Streamed October 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Nothing makes me feel better than <em>L’italiana in Algeri</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>L’italiana in Algeri</em>

This may be a rather trite choice, but I genuinely believe that Rossini comedies make the ultimate comfort operas.

La fille du régiment

La fille du régiment / Metropolitan Opera

A live broadcast from New York starring Lawrence Brownlee and Erin Morley

Streamed October 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Psychic gestures Psychic gestures

Rolando Villazón opens up about his production of La sonnambula, how he develops characters, and what makes opera dance.

The scorned mother of us all The scorned mother of us all

Seeing Sondra Radvanovsky as Medea at Lyric Opera of Chicago sprawled across the floor, soaked in her children’s blood, is proof that we’re witnessing an utterly haunting singer-actor.

Nothing makes me feel better than <em>Acis and Galatea</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>Acis and Galatea</em>

This sequence of two arias is perfectly judged to calm the jangled or melancholic spirit.

Anna goes to the ball Anna goes to the ball

Anna Netrebko managed to debut a new role in Naples earlier this month — Amelia in Un ballo in maschera — and this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag features her in the complete second Act of her first performance.

Nothing makes me feel better than the 1966 Salzburg Festival <em>Nozze</em> Nothing makes me feel better than the 1966 Salzburg Festival <em>Nozze</em>

This performance truly “never fails to lift my mood.”

Dona nobis pacem Dona nobis pacem

A Missa Solemnis to celebrate 125 years of Boston’s Symphony Hall was sophisticated and subdued.

Nothing makes me feel better than <em>Der Rosenkavalier</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>Der Rosenkavalier</em>

Der Rosenkavalier is a three-hour meditation on nostalgia. What could be better to bathe in?

La sonnambula

La sonnambula / Metropolitan Opera

A live broadcast from New York

Streamed October 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Adriana Mater

Adriana Mater / Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Kaija Saariaho‘s opera in a live broadcast from Rome

Streamed October 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Hold! Enough! Hold! Enough!

The timing for Boston Lyric Opera’s production of Macbeth this weekend was perfect for Halloween, though the show itself at the Emerson Colonial Theatre was decidedly less spooky.

Rock ‘n’ Tyrol Rock ‘n’ Tyrol

Parterre Box features an exclusive sample of Lawrence Brownlee‘s jump-in performance in La sonnambula from this weekend

Nothing makes me feel better than <em>War and Peace</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>War and Peace</em>

‘Comfort opera.’ Hmm… I had to give this one some thought.

Nothing makes me feel better than <em>L’incoronazione di Poppea</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>L’incoronazione di Poppea</em>

I have listened to this clip on the way to every first date I’ve ever been on.

The Bartered Bride

The Bartered Bride / Wiener Staatsoper

A live broadcast from the Wiener Staatsoper (in German)

Streamed October 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The Queen of Spades

The Queen of Spades / Garsington Opera

Laura Wilde and Aaron Cawley lead a performance recorded at Garsington this summer

Streamed October 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Seen and heard Seen and heard

Mere days remain to contribute to The Talk of the Town for the rest of the year!

Nothing makes me feel better than <em>The Cunning Little Vixen</em> Nothing makes me feel better than <em>The Cunning Little Vixen</em>

The opera is life affirming, but also recognizes that life comes to an end.

Mommy and me Mommy and me

Today’s Grand Tier Grab Bag features Chiara Isotton and Joyce El-Khoury as two murderous mommies in the final scene of Cherubini‘s Medea (and Medée)