Das Rheingold
A live broadcast of the first installment of this summer’s Ring from Bayreuth
Recent Stories
The gaul of some people
It’s Norma, darling. We know.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Norma demente
Jessica Pratt’s last-minute Norma in Milan might well be the stuff of legend
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
A live broadcast of the opening of the 2025 Bayreuth Festival
Change my mind about Der Rosenkavalier
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.
By Scott Grunow
115 comments
I’m never gonna dance again
A starry cast is hampered by Christof Loy‘s dour production of Rusalka in Barcelona
Nozze istriane
A performance of Antonio Smareglia‘s rare opera recorded last year in Croatia
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
A live video broadcast from the Verbier festival starring Bryn Terfel and Ying Fang
Change my mind about how Orfeo should end
By giving Orfeo ed Euridice a happy ending, Gluck ruined a wonderful score.
By John Yohalem
131 comments
Les pêcheurs de perles
Marc Minkowski conducts a performance recorded last week at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
Mad about Mitridate
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
Yes, Ermonela Jaho is a compelling swooner. But is she a great singer? I have yet to be convinced!
By Ben Miller
62 comments
Sleepwalkers awake
La sonnambula at Teatro Nuovo overcomes uneven casting to highlight the many charms of Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece
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
A new opera by Sivan Eldar and Ganavya Doraiswami from the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
Change my mind about Parterre Box
Parterre Box over the last few years has become the MOST USELESS website.
By Stan Deneroff (Calaf513)
287 comments
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
Jake Heggie writes operas like a Restoration Hardware couch—soft, expensive, and allergic to mess.
By Michael M. Landman-Karny
137 comments
Tosca
Kristine Opolais, SeokJong Baek, and Bryn Terfel star in a live broadcast from Tanglewood
Die schweigsame Frau
Christian Thielemann conducts a live broadcast from Berlin
Change my mind about Anna Moffo
The musical virtues of Anna Moffo have heretofore eluded me.
By Harry Rose
176 comments
