Here a Leigh, there a Leigh Here a Leigh, there a Leigh

Judith Malafronte sits down with bass David Leigh who debuts as Rocco in Washington National Opera’s production of Fidelio next week

Green grow the lilacs Green grow the lilacs

Eastern Long Island remains surprisingly verdant even into the early fall.

The discreet charm of the bourgeoisie The discreet charm of the bourgeoisie

This July, Munich played host to hordes of football fans in town for the European Championship—and arguably the two finest working sopranos today.

Psychological projections Psychological projections

“The distance between dreams and reality is called action.” – Brian Tracy

Monuments man Monuments man

It has been a great season for prolific Bay Area composer Jake Heggie.

I’m a stranger here myself I’m a stranger here myself

In 1982 I saw Turandot at the San Francisco Opera, the year after I became an opera fan, and it was my first live opera.

Carmen, domesticated Carmen, domesticated

On May 2, Rebecca Herman‘s conceptualizing of Carmen was a significant departure from the traditional depiction of a marginalized “other,” maintaining a traditional staging in Seville.

“I just sing whatever I can get my throat around” “I just sing whatever I can get my throat around”

Rachel Willis-Sørensen might be the greatest American soprano right now who doesn’t sing much in America.

Yo soy Daniela Yo soy Daniela

Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack appeared at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater this past Thursday with pianist Keun-A Lee in a thoughtful and distinctly personal recital program presented by Vocal Arts DC.

Havin’ a ball Havin’ a ball

Over the weekend, Opera Parallèle, San Francisco’s contemporary opera company, stayed true to their mission of “merging tradition and innovation to re-invent opera for a modern world” as they presented a world premiere double-bill cheekily titled Birds & Balls at SFJazz Center’s Miner Auditorium.

Champagne tastes Champagne tastes

Oh, La traviata, how do I love thee? Let me count the recordings.

The commendatore effect The commendatore effect

In an ingenious stroke of double casting, the Met’s new Forza del destino brings back the Marquis of Calatrava—father of the heroine Leonora, unintentionally killed in the opening scene by a bullet from her lover’s pistol—as Padre Guardiano, Father Superior of the monastery that will take her under its protection as a hermit in Act 2.

Decidedly un-HIP Decidedly un-HIP

Chris’s Cache celebrates Ewa Podles‘s long connection with Handel by featuring her in three complete, decidedly un-HIP operas spanning over twenty years

Matinee idol Matinee idol

On this day in 1974 soprano Kiri Te Kanawa made an “emergency” Met debut as Desdemona and her broadcast debut

Favola bella che ieri t’illuse, che oggi m’illude Favola bella che ieri t’illuse, che oggi m’illude

Washington Concert Opera’s season opened with a triumphant performance of Gioachino Rossini’s rarely heard Ermione Saturday night at George Washington University in D.C., led by Antony Walker and a stellar quartet of principals in Angela Meade, Lawrence Brownlee, David Portillo, and Ginger Costa-Jackson.

Tuckered out Tuckered out

This Sunday marked a muted return of the Richard Tucker Foundation Gala, which had the dubious distinction of the fourth edition not to feature a prizewinner and perhaps the first not to provide complete orchestral and choral accompaniment for its performers.

Think different Think different

Bay Area composer Mason Bates’s and librettist Mark Campbell’s contemporary opera about the life of the tech mogul Steve Jobs came home “to the place where it all began” in spectacular fashion

Empty chairs Empty chairs

The fourth production of Santa Fe Opera’s 66th Festival Season that opened on Saturday June 22 offered a multitude of firsts.

A divided duty A divided duty

Today’s Chris’s Cache features live recordings of Otello most noteworthy for their Desdemonas: (in chronological order) Teresa Stratas, Julia Varady, Eva Marton and Karita Mattila.

Die Frist ist Glum Die Frist ist Glum

This Holländer offers neither a clear narrative vision for the work nor a sense of turbocharged drama; it simply sits on the Met’s cavernous stage as a dull gray mass.

Slow simmer Slow simmer

This was by far my most satisfying experience with Pelléas et Mélisande for a multitude of reasons and I encourage anyone who’s even mildly curious to find their way to the Music Center for a very rich experience.

Fully immersive Fully immersive

Now the opera world can have a taste of what an immersive opera looks like, as Opera Parallèle opened their spectacular world premiere of Everest: An Immersive Experience .

Dream on Dream on

The second act of Dream of the Red Chamber reached the apex and provided the audience with soul-stirring fulfillment.

Reminiscences of Mozart Reminiscences of Mozart

The great Spanish mezzo soprano Teresa Berganza died on May 13 at the age of 89, so Trove Thursday salutes one of its favorites with a pair of dazzling rare live Mozart performances.