Young Man in a Hurry ó Iestyn Davies

I met with Iestyn Davies at 1330 hours precisely, on the steps of the Hippodrome theatre, Bristol, England, where he was singing the role of Hamor in Welsh National Operaís riveting production of Handelís ìJephthaî.

Performance Cancellations at the Bavarian State Opera as a Consequence of the Ongoing Ver.di Strike

http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de/c.php/index_bso.php?dom=dom1&&l=en

Nine German AriasóAn Urban Baroque Film

Itís always interesting when oneís own opinion about a work varies violently from othersí views, even if they are to date minimal in number. In this case, it is not the music per se that is under discussion but the way it is represented, or in my opinion, mis-represented by this film.

Judas Maccabeus

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14936-2113086,00.html

Fame at last for the diva in waiting

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2116177,00.html

Don Pasquale at the Met

Don Pasquale is generally considered one of Donizetti’s greatest works. Yet, “[o]f the three Donizetti operas being performed at The Met this season, the comedy Don Pasquale has been out of the repertoire for the longest time.” This season the opera returns with bass Simone Alaimo (Don Pasquale), soprano Anna Netrebko (Norina) and tenor Juan Diego FlÛrez (Ernesto). Here are four reviews.

Stepping Onstage as a Waitress, She May Exit the Met as a Star

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/nyregion/01erika.html

A New Spark for a Don Beyond Compare

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/arts/music/01giov.html

Gala Concertó50th Anniversary of the Reopening of the Vienna State Opera

Tuxes and gowns, a marathon of trotting on and offstage by renowned singers, a ritzy audience abusing their palms with ritual clappingóyes, EuroArts has another opera gala event available on DVD in this two-disc Vienna State Opera Gala concert.

RACHMANINOV: Piano concerti nos. 1 and 2

This is a wonderful, recent recording of these popular piano concertos by Rachmaninov. The Piano concerto no. 1 is a studio recording, while the Piano concerto no. 2 is a live version.