A springtime baroque bouquet A springtime baroque bouquet

Christopher Corwin picks the flowers of a baroque May in New York City with reviews of concerts starring Lauren Snouffer, Key’mon Murrah, and the Oratorio Society of New York.

The best thing I saw in 2025 was <em>Breaking the Waves</em> The best thing I saw in 2025 was <em>Breaking the Waves</em>

Houston Grand Opera’s 2025 Breaking the Waves was absolutely my highlight of the year!

Everything is “and,” not “or” Everything is “and,” not “or”

James Gaffigan, the incoming Music Director of Houston Grand Opera, strikes a balance between New World precision and Old World flair in repertoire, staging, and wine

Sex power god Sex power god

Breaking the Waves and Tannhaüser at Houston Grand Opera are a can’t-miss doubleheader of sex and miracles.

Humming chorus Humming chorus

Two opera houses, both alike in dignity (but less so in resources and international fame) launched their seasons this week, making similar out-of-the-box choices: new works on edgy, contemporary themes.

A madhouse is not a home A madhouse is not a home

David Devan may be leaving the company, but there can be no better living tribute to him than this extraordinary work, which in 90 minutes gives us everything we could want from a new opera

Sweet prince Sweet prince

South African Jacques Imbrailo’s high-lying baritone did much to highlight the lyrical possibilities of the title role of Hamlet, originally conceived for a tenor.

The Philadelphia stories The Philadelphia stories

As we also saw last year, Festival O19 ended on a sweetly quiet note, movingly connecting Opera Philadelphia with the larger city and our musical future.

Trauma queens Trauma queens

Though barely a week old, 2019 has already provided New Yorkers with an essential, breathtaking music drama focusing on two women struggling for their very survival.

Little house on the scary Little house on the scary

Out of a literal perforation in the horizon of the Nebraskan prairie emerges Proving Up, the most convincing case I have ever seen for modern American opera.

C’est une chanson qui nous ressemble C’est une chanson qui nous ressemble

In September, Finnish National Opera gave the world premiere of Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata), based on Mr. Bergman’s 1978 study of a troubled mother/daughter relationship.

Sea, no evil Sea, no evil

Breaking the Waves is not only a “real opera,” it is an immensely powerful work of music drama.

New waves New waves

Missy Mazzoli, a 36-year-old composer from Brooklyn, has created the most startling and moving new American opera in memory.