A favorite Wagner performance from CKurwenal A favorite Wagner performance from CKurwenal

Dame Gwyneth Jones as Brünnhilde pretty much started it all for me.

By CKurwenal August 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM
59 comments
Come to the record store in old Peking Come to the record store in old Peking

In the lead up to LA Opera’s mounting of Turandot on May 18th (hooray!) I thought I’d touch on some of my favorite recordings and new re-masters I’ve discovered. I have them all.

By May 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM
59 comments
Call me Madame Call me Madame

“To play La Pompadour—what a delightful task! To be La Pompadour—what a gruesome fate!”

By April 22, 2014 at 10:29 PM
38 comments
Hooterdämmerung Hooterdämmerung

Is there anything more essentially operatic than the suffering of women?

By September 24, 2013 at 12:42 AM
13 comments
Walvater knows best Walvater knows best

There is a mighty appetite among both old Wagnerians and new ones to see a Ring that follows—if not too slavishly—the scenic requests of the libretto.

By September 02, 2013 at 11:17 PM
38 comments