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

Force of habit Force of habit

Turmoil and injustice in the federal government; turmoil and grief in the Catholic Church: the time sure seems right for a staging of Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites.

Nosedive Nosedive

It’s not so much that I hated the Met Opera’s Grounded. I’m just not convinced that it should have been an opera.

Love wins Love wins

Opera has always been Orpheus-obsessed.

The artist is present The artist is present

And is this ‘Orpheus’ in the room with us right now?

The music seemed to come from afar The music seemed to come from afar

New York shall never be in need of another Messiah to assist to during the holiday season, but a new tradition is beginning to crystallize at the cavernous St. John the Divine to rival it.

Flores para los muertos Flores para los muertos

Despite this being the first full-length opera for Gabriela Lena Frank, there’s no lack of experience across the creative team which, along with favorable reviews for the production, contributed to high levels of anticipation.

You’re better off without me, mein Hair You’re better off without me, mein Hair

I hate to say I nearly cringe at the thought of Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Consistently enthralling Consistently enthralling

To conclude its triumphant season, last week the Met Orchestra performed its annual Carnegie Hall concerts under music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and once again performed superbly.

Endearing gifts Endearing gifts

Since my previous CD round-up review the onslaught of solo recital disks of 18th century (and sometimes also 17th) vocal music has continued unabated.

In my very own private hell In my very own private hell

No, we don’t really need another “Orpheus” opera. Or, rather, we don’t need this one.

Straight to hell Straight to hell

November in New York hosts two premieres dedicated to mythology’s greatest musician, which prompts Trove Thursday to present a vintage Monteverdi L’Orfeo with Judith Raskin and Gérard Souzay conducted by Leopold Stokowski (!) and a recent HIP London broadcast of Luigi Rossi’s L’Orfeo.

Raising genius Raising genius

A special program note for Saturday night’s performance of Matthew Aucoin’s new opera Eurydice pointed to a rare convergence of three MacArthur Grant fellows in its creation and staging.

Meeting Rigoletto Meeting Rigoletto

I have a confession to make. I have been taking Rigoletto for granted.

Pretty little lyres Pretty little lyres

While one sympathized with Matthew Aucoin’s urge to add his voice to the Orpheus canon it was difficult to figure out how his work complemented Gluck’s.

The love that dare not yawp its name The love that dare not yawp its name

Matthew Aucoin’s Crossing depicts Walt Whitman’s experience serving wounded soldiers in a DC infirmary and chronicles the period’s tragic effects.

Something Aten! Something Aten!

Akhnaten, seen at the Los Angeles Opera on November 13 tells the story of the Pharaoh who abandoned traditional Egyptian polytheism.

If looks could kill If looks could kill

What is an Orphic moment? A song so sweet that even Hades must release the dead back to the living?

All about the voice All about the voice

Tenor Paul Appleby’s onstage persona is as American as apple crisp, and he possesses the untroubled confidence of a politician.

Beyond the forest Beyond the forest

An opera revolving around chastity vows, adultery, slut-shaming, lesbianism, transvestism and much more!

When this cruel war is over When this cruel war is over

Jarrett Ott is a star. That is the only surprise takeaway from the well-intended snore, Cold Mountain.