Castanet diva Castanet diva

Lisette Oropesa, a product of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program, has not been seen much on the stage of the Met in recent seasons.

on October 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Parable of the prodigious son Parable of the prodigious son

I’m old enough to remember when Yannick Nézet-Séguin could do no wrong.

on June 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Dagonistic pluralism Dagonistic pluralism

To bring a well-known story to the stage, many methods are available.

on May 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM
With a sound but half its own With a sound but half its own

Swiss soprano Regula Mühlemann made her New York recital debut at Weill Hall on May 8.

on May 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Raunchy, wild, and winsome Raunchy, wild, and winsome

There was much to love in Andrew Ousley’s Tiergarten: a three-night cabaret revue from Death of Classical and part of Carnegie Hall’s Weimar Festival, performed in the vaulted gothic hall of the Church of St. Mary.

on May 07, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Voce di donna o D’Angelo Voce di donna o D’Angelo

Her star is indeed on the rise, but squarely on her terms.

on May 06, 2024 at 9:00 AM
May, oui… May, oui…

This month: French Baroque from Opera Lafayette, German Requiem at Carnegie Hall, family friendly Haydn from little opera theater of NY, and Wagner’s satin and perfume fetishes?

on May 03, 2024 at 12:17 PM
“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.

on April 26, 2024 at 9:00 AM
We’re spotting in April… We’re spotting in April…

At the parterre box Calendar, nature is refurbishing herself. Spring varieties abound with the usual Met fare and all manner of recitals and rarities. We’ve got our eyes on these from our friends and sponsors.

on April 05, 2024 at 2:12 PM
Decadent genealogies Decadent genealogies

Arnold Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder and Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot are, in their different ways, the final decadent flowering of a musical tradition at its twilight.

on April 05, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Goodbye to Berlin Goodbye to Berlin

Life was a Cabaret, you chumps!

on April 01, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Brazilian brass lift Brazilian brass lift

The past seems to be in conversation with the present.

on March 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM
If you remember, then follow If you remember, then follow

How many hours of our lives are spent looking back?

on February 07, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Repent for the time is at hand Repent for the time is at hand

Traditional Christianity has always used the threat of dying unabsolved and going to Hell as a tool to get us not only to accept Jesus but also obey the dictates of the Church. Last week in New York, two classical works touched on the theme of repentance and absolution.

on February 05, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Singing for herself and the boys in the band Singing for herself and the boys in the band

Boston Symphony Orchestra recently confirmed an infinitely renewable contract upon Andris Nelsons, its music director since 2014. To understand why, one needed little more evidence than the outfit’s recent visit to Carnegie Hall.

on February 01, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Suspicious conduct Suspicious conduct

There is a strong case to be made that George Fridrich Handel is the composer most suited to the present moment.

on December 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Not with a bang Not with a bang

When the Staatskapelle Berlin announced a two-night engagement at Carnegie Hall performing all four Brahms symphonies, I immediately made a note in my calendar to attend. I also wondered who would be the conductor when the announced Daniel Barenboim inevitably withdrew.

on December 07, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Old school and better for it Old school and better for it

As far as I know, Juan Diego Flórez last appeared in New York City (not totally to his advantage) as Alfredo in the Met’s garish new production of La Traviata back in December 2018, nearly five years ago.

on December 01, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Let’s get serious Let’s get serious

Renée Fleming arrived at Carnegie Hall on May 31 with something to prove.

on June 02, 2023 at 10:01 AM
A dazzling range of colors A dazzling range of colors

I wish more sopranos programmed recitals like Fatma Said does.

on April 05, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Trapped Trapped

What happens when you attend a performance and it doesn’t engage you? 

on January 24, 2023 at 11:51 AM
Love, loss and what she wore Love, loss and what she wore

Sondra Radvanovsky eschewed the customary stuffiness of the recital format, often speaking directly to the audience and putting her selections in a highly personal context.

on November 17, 2022 at 8:11 AM
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.

on June 20, 2022 at 12:51 PM
Mainly in the plain Mainly in the plain

I wonder why many New Yorkers have been led to believe that the only Handel conductor in the world is Harry Bicket.

on May 10, 2022 at 1:12 PM