Youth has no age Youth has no age

Led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Yoann Combémorel, the Curtis Symphony Orchestra proves themselves the equal of any major American orchestra in a program of Mahler, Wagner, and Dawson.

Hit me with your best Shoshty Hit me with your best Shoshty

Barrie Kosky’s zany production of The Nose time-steps back onto the Komische Oper Berlin stage.

Suffering a sea-change Suffering a sea-change

Calixto Bieito‘s production of Idomeneo at La Monnaie is anchored by a committed cast, but gets swept up in pseudo-psychoanalytic imagery — and foot fetishism.

Which witch? Which witch?

Washington National Opera offered a searing production of Robert Ward’s opera The Crucible, directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, as the second installment in the company’s next chapter.

Follow the signs Follow the signs

Opera directors could learn a thing or two from Deaf Broadway’s vivacious performance of Jeanine Tesori‘s Violet.

Gild the Lily Gild the Lily

Lisette Oropesa, Piotr Buszewski, and Luca Salsi feature in a rote revival of Michael Mayer‘s cloying production of La traviata.

Death becomes her and him Death becomes her and him

El último sueño de Frida y Diego at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is a visual and sonic wonder, but a weak libretto dampens its effect.

By the (little red) book By the (little red) book

Kent Nagano gives a boost to the Opéra national de Paris‘s revival of Nixon in China.

Rags to riches Rags to riches

In its first production since departing the Kennedy Center, the Washington National Opera presents a new adaptation of “King of Ragtime” Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha.

The company of wolves The company of wolves

Matthias Pintscher’s Nuit sans aube at the Opéra Comique conjures up plenty of atmosphere — but not much else.

By spirit alone By spirit alone

A sublime Reginald Mobley and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra are a balm for troubled times in a program of baroque selections and spirituals.

Pearl Jam Pearl Jam

Washington Concert Opera returned to its roots with a delightful performance of Georges Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles.

An embarrassment of riches An embarrassment of riches

A David Lang premiere at the New York Philharmonic brings a wealth of musical delights — and bodes well for Gustavo Dudamel‘s leadership.

Hercules conquers Carnegie Hercules conquers Carnegie

William Guanbo Su and Ann Hallenberg are compelling in The English Concert’s presentation of Handel‘s Hercules at Carnegie Hall.

Here, there, and everywhere Here, there, and everywhere

David Fox and Dan Johnson report on Yannick Nézet-Seguin‘s recent performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia and New York.

O Say, Can You Kelsey O Say, Can You Kelsey

Baritone Quinn Kelsey’s recital of English-language art songs in partnership with pianist Craig Ketter was a worthy celebration of Vocal Arts DC’s 35th-anniversary season.

Tunnel vision Tunnel vision

Lise Davidsen, Michael Spyres, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin are astonishing in Tristan und Isolde at the Met, while Yuval Sharon‘s new production is anything but.

Back to school Back to school

Time to Act at Pittsburgh Opera effectively employs Greek tragedy to explore the all-too-common tragedies haunting schools across the United States.

Is this head kosher? Is this head kosher?

A captivating Asmik Grigorian leads the Bayerishce Staatsoper‘s revival of its Holocaust-set Salome. 

The Italian connection The Italian connection

American Bach brings out the operatic side of Bach in a program featuring sparkling vocal talents.

A passing mood A passing mood

Mascagni‘s Zanetto, a slight, Renaissance scene, gets a new recording from the Berlin Opera Group. 

Così così Così così

Despite some fine performances, Così fan tutte at the Livermore Valley Opera doesn’t quite click into place.

They do the sand dance, don’t you know? They do the sand dance, don’t you know?

Akhnaten has lost none of its power or glitz at the Los Angeles Opera.

Songs and snowbirds Songs and snowbirds

Will Liverman and Kiera Duffy brought an eclectic program to their jovial post-blizzard recital at Rhode Island College.