Carmen denominator Carmen denominator

When you attend a performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen you can never be quite certain which one you’re in for.

Does whatever a spider can Does whatever a spider can

The beautiful singing here is less in the sound than in the way the voice moves.

Gold rush Gold rush

Now we find Mariella Devia, a diva held in near mythic regard due to her vocal longevity, with competing videos of two of her performances that were released, literally, on the same day.

Trapped in the web of love Trapped in the web of love

Which operatic character could be best described as a spider?

Haunted mountain Haunted mountain

Beginning with the dark, ominous music of the prelude of Charles Wuorinen and Annie Proulx’s opera Brokeback Mountain, we know we are in for a very different and far less sentimental version of the work than was had with Ang Lee’s iconic 2005 film.

My name is Barbiere My name is Barbiere

James Conlon, Music Director for the LA Opera, often does the pre-game lecture in the huge open space on the second floor lobby of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and it’s almost always a standing room only crowd.

Gerard Mortier 1943-2014 Gerard Mortier 1943-2014

Impresario Gerard Mortier died earlier today of pancreatic cancer. He was 70.

When owls attack When owls attack

Philip Glass’s 25th opera The Perfect American was originally commissioned for New York City Opera during the aborted regime of Gerard Mortier.

Appearing nightly Appearing nightly

I suspect most New York City opera-lovers had long since given up hope that the fascinating soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci would ever return to their city.

Nothing but nets Nothing but nets

This 2010 DVD of Brecht and Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny from Madrid assumes pride of place among the available video versions of the opera.

Orphée descending

Juan Diego Flórez is without question a superstar of bel canto repertory, but the recent release of the recording of his role debut as Orphée in Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice at the Teatro Real in Madrid raises some interesting questions. Among these questions, first and foremost is the nature of Orpheus, and whether Flórez has…