Giulio Cesare in Egitto Giulio Cesare in Egitto

A live broadcast from the Salzburg Festival

Change my mind about <em>Vanessa</em> Change my mind about <em>Vanessa</em>

I know, as a musical gay boy d’un certain âge I supposed to consider this the great American opera, the equal if not superior to anything by Britten and preferable to any of that atonal garbage from the Continent.

Das Rheingold Das Rheingold

A live broadcast of the first installment of this summer’s Ring from Bayreuth

The gaul of some people The gaul of some people

It’s Norma, darling. We know.

Norma demente Norma demente

Jessica Pratt’s last-minute Norma in Milan might well be the stuff of legend

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

A live broadcast of the opening of the 2025 Bayreuth Festival

Change my mind about <em>Der Rosenkavalier</em> Change my mind about <em>Der Rosenkavalier</em>

I just don’t get Der Rosenkavalier except for the plum moments like The Presentation of the Rose and the Final Trio which for me satisfy my indulgent sweet tooth.

I’m never gonna dance again I’m never gonna dance again

A starry cast is hampered by Christof Loy‘s dour production of Rusalka in Barcelona

Nozze istriane Nozze istriane

A performance of Antonio Smareglia‘s rare opera recorded last year in Croatia

Bryn da noise Bryn da noise

Bryn Terfel‘s presence on an unfortunate broadcast of Tosca from Tanglewood last week prompts us at the Box to share clips of his work over the past few weeks

Gianni Schicchi and Cavalleria Rusticana Gianni Schicchi and Cavalleria Rusticana

A live video broadcast from the Verbier festival starring Bryn Terfel and Ying Fang

Change my mind about how <em>Orfeo</em> should end Change my mind about how <em>Orfeo</em> should end

By giving Orfeo ed Euridice a happy ending, Gluck ruined a wonderful score.

Les pêcheurs de perles Les pêcheurs de perles

Marc Minkowski conducts a performance recorded last week at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

Mad about <em>Mitridate</em> Mad about <em>Mitridate</em>

Suddenly Mozart’s rare early opera Mitridate, re di Ponto has become popular. Anticipating a Salzburg Festival performance on 4 August, Chris’s Cache offers two recent broadcasts, one from Boston, the other from Montpellier.

Change my mind about Ermonela Jaho Change my mind about Ermonela Jaho

Yes, Ermonela Jaho is a compelling swooner. But is she a great singer? I have yet to be convinced!

Sleepwalkers awake Sleepwalkers awake

La sonnambula at Teatro Nuovo overcomes uneven casting to highlight the many charms of Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece

Visible storage Visible storage

Performances of Pittori fiamminghi and Madama Butterfly in picturesque Castell’Arquato were a fine way to honor Luigi Illica, the city’s native son

The Nine Jewelled Deer The Nine Jewelled Deer

A new opera by Sivan Eldar and Ganavya Doraiswami from the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

Change my mind about Parterre Box Change my mind about Parterre Box

Parterre Box over the last few years has become the MOST USELESS website.

The bodies keep score The bodies keep score

Music for New Bodies at Lincoln Center’s Running AMOC* Festival proves Matthew Aucoin really is everything he’s made out to be

Change my mind about Jake Heggie’s operas Change my mind about Jake Heggie’s operas

Jake Heggie writes operas like a Restoration Hardware couch—soft, expensive, and allergic to mess.

Tosca Tosca

Kristine Opolais, SeokJong Baek, and Bryn Terfel star in a live broadcast from Tanglewood

Die schweigsame Frau Die schweigsame Frau

Christian Thielemann conducts a live broadcast from Berlin

Change my mind about Anna Moffo Change my mind about Anna Moffo

The musical virtues of Anna Moffo have heretofore eluded me.