Recent Stories
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.
Pelléas et Mélisande / Teatro alla Scala
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.
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.
Eugene Onegin / Metropolitan Opera
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.
The Death of Klinghoffer / Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
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.
Innocence / Metropolitan Opera
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.
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.
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.
Bach to Bach
An invigorating double bill at the San Francisco Symphony challenges how Bach “should” be performed.
A favorite art song performance from Moe Rear
This performance of Poulenc‘s “Les Chemins de l’amour” is a gem.
Landing the plane
With Nixon, Klinghoffer, and Andris Nelsons on the mind, Parterre Box offers a recording of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s recent John Adams outing.