Only vaulting ambition Only vaulting ambition

Macbeth at the Festival Verdi in Parma aims big — on a small scale

Moor is more Moor is more

A pair of Otellos – in Madrid and Parma – is a study in contrasts.

Act out, Luisa Act out, Luisa

Prompted by Washington Concert Opera’s upcoming Luisa Miller, Chris Cache’s misbehaves five times by offering just the opera’s final act with sopranos from the 1970s, some of whom might be considered “under-appreciated”: Gabriella Tucci, Adriana Maliponte, Renata Scotto, Gilda Cruz-Romo, and Katia Ricciarelli.

Giovanna d’Arco Giovanna d’Arco

A performance recorded earlier this year at the Teatro Regio di Parma.

Voce di donna o diavolo Voce di donna o diavolo

Larry Wolff continues his musings on Verdi’s varied career, this time over Giovanna d’Arco at the Teatro Regio in Parma

Candid theatricality Candid theatricality

Out of sheer morbid curiosity last evening I pulled up the “orders” page of my Amazon account and searched Otello to discover that over the past 11 years. I’ve ordered 15 items with that title (one as recently as last night!)

Original sin Original sin

This new production of the 1847 original version of Verdi’s first stab at Shakespeare features the extraordinary performances of Luca Salsi and Anna Pirozzi as the Thane of Cawdor and his merry wife.

Another Hun bites the dust Another Hun bites the dust

Verdi’s Attila is hardly a rarity in Italy the way it is in the United States.

Ceci n’est pas un ‘Trovatore’ Ceci n’est pas un ‘Trovatore’

America’s longest-standing theatrical lightning rod, Robert Wilson premiered his ethereal, time-collapsing production of Le trouvère.

Dwarf star Dwarf star

Verdi’s Macbeth poses a challenge to any company with the audacity to mount it.

Autumn leaves Autumn leaves

It may have taken most of Verdi’s canon to do it, but the “Tutto Verdi” collection finally manages to do justice to Verdi in his last two operas.

Jest the way you are Jest the way you are

I’m happy to report that Rigoletto from the 30 DVD Tutto Verdi set from the Teatro Regio di Parma is a blockbuster.

One for the vault One for the vault

Of all of Verdi’s operas. Aida is the one I find least interesting dramatically.

One of three One of three

When I acquire DVDs of opera performances, I look for performances which truly merit a video recording; performances in which the totality of the musical and dramatic elements are worth preserving for repeated viewing.

One Day more One Day more

There’s that old joke; What’s the difference between opera and sex? Punchline; you can have good sex.

Odd numbers Odd numbers

All of the operas of Giuseppe Verdi contain music that is worth hearing and can be rewarding in good performances.

Captivating in Babylon Captivating in Babylon

Verdi’s first operatic masterpiece is well served by this DVD of a performance from the Teatro Regio di Parma.

First steps First steps

There’s something charming and almost irresistible about early Verdi opera. I always equate it to seeing a grade school test from Albert Einstein.

Cross purposes Cross purposes

In spite of sounding like an indelicate football injury, I Lombardi alla prima crociata was only Giuseppe Verdi’s fourth opera.