Clipped wings Clipped wings

Madama Butterfly at Opera Colorado plays it safe — and never fully takes flight.

Un paio in tre Un paio in tre

Christopher Corwin and Andrew Lokay provide dual perspectives on the National Symphony Orchestra‘s performances of Puccini’s triple-bill.

A favorite Verdi performance from Remko Jas A favorite Verdi performance from Remko Jas

Elisabeth Grümmer was, of course, very good at Wagnerian prayers, but she also shines in this Verdi prayer.

Don’t tread on Marie Don’t tread on Marie

Boston Lyric Opera’s Revolutionary War-set Daughter of the Regiment prioritizes accessibility without losing its charm.

A favorite Verdi performance from Ben Miller A favorite Verdi performance from Ben Miller

The dictionary definition of Kuntenserven.

As a hero going to conquest As a hero going to conquest

A joint BeethovenAdams program conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk suggests a way forward for the embattled Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Rizzin’ to the occasion Rizzin’ to the occasion

Parterre Box features the Met’s current Eugene Onegin, Iurii Samoilov, in a performance of Rossini ahead of a return to Pesaro this summer.

A favorite Verdi performance from Timothy Gray A favorite Verdi performance from Timothy Gray

When I was a fledgling opera enthusiast, professors at a small-town Wisconsin college routinely travelled to Chicago for Lyric Opera performances.

‘Tis almost fairy time ‘Tis almost fairy time

Curtis Opera and a charming cast of young singers cast a spell with their beguiling production of Britten‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

A favorite Verdi performance from Darby Fegan A favorite Verdi performance from Darby Fegan

Anna Tomowa-Sintow, “Ernani Involami,” from the MET Centenial Gala, 1983.

They don’t stoop to conquer They don’t stoop to conquer

The countertenors conquer the day in Handel‘s Giulio Cesare in Egitto at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

A favorite Verdi performance from CKurwenal A favorite Verdi performance from CKurwenal

Like probably all of us, there are so many different things I could have submitted for a favorite Verdi performance.

Der fliegende Holländer

Der fliegende Holländer / Wiener Staatsoper

A live video broadcast from Vienna starring Thomas Konieczny

Streamed May 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
“Modern convention is the oddity” “Modern convention is the oddity”

Michael Spyres talks to Kevin Ng about his winding path as a baritenor, which composer he wants to conquer next, and how he makes Wagner work in his voice — and in his native Ozarks.

A favorite Verdi performance from La Grunowa A favorite Verdi performance from La Grunowa

I realize Igor Gorin did not sing much Verdi except for a few Papa Germonts, yet this performance of the famous baritone aria from Attila I claim is well-night perfect singing.

Billy Budd

Billy Budd / Opéra de Lyon

Sean Michael Plumb, Derek Walton, and Paul Appleby lead a performance recorded last month in Lyon

Streamed May 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Eugene Onegin

Eugene Onegin / Metropolitan Opera

Iurii Samoilov and Asmik Grigorian star in a live broadcast from New York

Streamed May 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
A favorite Verdi performance from Ryan Ellerman A favorite Verdi performance from Ryan Ellerman

Luminous Lucia Popp’s “Caro Nome” beams with Gilda’s youthful passion, displaying Popp’s signature bright, beautiful timbre and magnificent coloratura.

Turandot

Turandot / Atlanta Opera

Angela Meade, Jonathan Burton, and Juliana Grigoryan star in a live video broadcast from Atlanta Opera

Streamed May 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
A favorite Verdi performance from Marina Rebeka A favorite Verdi performance from Marina Rebeka

While studying Un ballo in maschera for my Vienna role debut next January, I came across this beautiful ‘Ecco l’orrido campo’ amazingly performed by Montserrat Caballé.

The poetry is in the pity The poetry is in the pity

Klaus Mäkelä unexpectedly joins the foray for The Cleveland Orchestra‘s performances of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.

Bloodless revolution Bloodless revolution

Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung at Canadian Opera Company deliver on fine performances even if Robert Lepage‘s production skimps on horror.

Thoughts on Lieder by Konstantin Krimmel Thoughts on Lieder by Konstantin Krimmel

“You’re your own boss.”

When they go low When they go low

Nostalgic for bass month, Parterre Box offers excerpts from two young basses to watch: Giorgi Manoshvili and Patrick Guetti.