parterre*inbox
opera from a certain point of view
In the garden of Eden

Photo: Dario Acosta

In the garden of Eden

Gregory Spears, whose newest opera Sleepers Awake opens this week at Opera Philadelphia, is reviving Romanticism


Photo of Barbara Hannigan conducting
Photo: Musachio, Ianniello & Pasqualini/Santa Cecilia

La Voix humaine with Barbara Hannigan Dates: April 23–25

A formidable artistic force, Barbara Hannigan joins the New York Philharmonic as soprano and conductor in a bold new multimedia interpretation of Poulenc’s opera La Voix humaine. Hannigan’s pristine voice and visceral physicality combine for a mesmerizing theatrical experience that transfixed audiences throughout Europe. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime evening of passionate music and engrossing drama that also includes Hannigan conducting Richard Strauss’s elegiac Metamorphosen. Use promo code POULENC20 for 20% off tickets.

Get Tickets Now »


Music to heal the hurt

Ten years since the death of countertenor Brian Asawa, Charles Stanton remembers his friend and corrects the record on his untimely passing.

Music to heal the hurt

Countertenor Brian Asawa / Photo: Marco Boggreve

Landing the plane

With Nixon, Klinghoffer, and Andris Nelsons on the mind, Parterre Box offers a recording of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's recent John Adams outing.

Landing the plane

Photo: Hilary Scott, Courtesy of the BSO

Reviews

Dodging a bullet

Photo by Matt Dine

Dodging a bullet

Dull conducting makes Der Freischütz miss its mark at Carnegie Hall.

Northern lights

Photo by Frederik Arff

Northern lights

SoCal goes Scandi in two recent concerts, with one featuring an appearance by Lise Davidsen.

Bach to Bach

Photo by Brandon Patoc

Bach to Bach

An invigorating double bill at the San Francisco Symphony challenges how Bach "should" be performed.

That time of evening

That time of evening

Golda Schultz soldiers through illness at the New York Philharmonic.

Heaven, here within my heart

Photo by Todd Rosenberg

Heaven, here within my heart

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra explores love and death in an intense, intelligent program featuring soprano Corinne Winters.

Talk of the Town

A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato

Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.

A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato

A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino

"Du bist die ruh" was one of the first art songs I ever knew.

A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino

A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman

Respighi's liriche can be as colorful, poetic, and downright lovely as any selection from other art song traditions. Case in point: Rosa Feola's recording of the first song from Quattro rispetti toscani.

A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman

Broadcasts & Live Chats

For you tender shut ins who prefer opera from a distance, Parterre Box hosts live chats during broadcasts and livestreams.

Are you an opera newbie lookin’ to listen and learn? Or maybe an overly articulate know-it-all wanting to indulge your fantasy of an anonymous 12-way with people who couldn’t possibly understand you?

Well that must suck. But you’re welcome to join us anyway.

In the spirit of AOL circa 1998, here are some upcoming chances to clique and claque:

Support Parterre Box

We’ve kept opera’s liveliest publication free and independent for over 30 years. No paywalls, no institutional backing, no bootlicking.

We also pay our writers—a rarity in arts journalism, but we think it matters.

Your monthly or one-time support keeps the lights on and ink wet.

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Do you have questions, tips, suggestions, gripes, or story ideas?
Email us if you must: [email protected]

Ciao for now!
Nick Scholl
Publisher, Parterre Box