A smoking <em>Traviata</em> A smoking <em>Traviata</em>

Restrictions encourage creative staging, for which the Berkshire Opera Festival is renowned.

Mozart for another time Mozart for another time

Eagerly awaiting Met May Mozart Madness, Chris’s Cache presents a starry quintet of the master’s operas not being done next month.

Guys who sing high (and others) Guys who sing high (and others)

A stack of noteworthy recent baroque vocal CDs on my desk has been staring at me for weeks, so I’m tackling them on Handel’s birthday before the Met roars back into action beginning this weekend.

No minor talent No minor talent

On this day in 1982 the Metropolitan Opera revisited its controversial season-opener Norma.

Magnificent: Michael Spyres in recital Magnificent: Michael Spyres in recital

This tenor must be the finest classical singer in the world today.

Maria Ewing sings Mozart Maria Ewing sings Mozart

Today is Mozart’s 266th birthday and I had already planned a Trove Thursday celebration when I learned that Maria Ewing had died on January 9.

Late bloomer Late bloomer

Teresa Zylis-Gara died in late August at 91 and Trove Thursday offers the Polish soprano in a wide-ranging collection of live material showcasing her great versatility.

Dies irae, dies illa Dies irae, dies illa

Trove Thursday offers Mozart’s Requiem with Lucia Popp, Christa Ludwig, Peter Schreier and Walter Berry conducted by James Levine from the 1981 Salzburg Festival.

Miss me blond Miss me blond

From the technical standpoint San Francisco Opera’s Billy Budd was pretty much flawless.

To live and die in L.A. To live and die in L.A.

Trove Thursday presents a double dose of the Verdi Messa da Requiem performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Handsomely done Handsomely done

Peter Mattei, one of my two favorite baritones these days, in an unexpected title role, Britten’s Billy Budd

Country matters Country matters

Stefan Herheim productions may be many things, but they’re always theatrical.

Stop the wedding Stop the wedding

Opera Philadelphia ended its season with Le Nozze di Figaro, Friday, and it will play May 3, 5, and 7—a matinee. Figaro is considered by most to be one of the few perfect operas and although it’s perhaps too easily encountered in routine run-throughs, there are usually rewards in seeing it. 

To each word a warbling note To each word a warbling note

“What fools these mortals be!” 

Magda Olivero 1910-2014 Magda Olivero 1910-2014

The legendary Italian soprano Magda Olivero has died.

Breaking Baden Breaking Baden

Baden-Baden 1927 is the title Gotham Chamber Opera has given to its evening of four brief operas that premiered together at a festival in, yes, Baden-Baden on July 17, 1927.

Tosca divina

This review was not going to be primarily about Shirley Verrett. She is not a singer I am all that familiar with and when I was sent this DVD of Tosca to review a week ago, I focused more on the director of the production, baritone-turned-producer Tito Gobbi, than on the singers. But sometimes life…