Resignations, ENO Model, Might Save City Opera: Norman Lebrecht

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aQBadmoOMlhU#

La Traviata in San Francisco

Much ink has been spilled over the failed Marta Domingo production of La
Traviata
that San Francisco Opera inexplicably imported for its blatantly
audience baiting summer season (Traviata, Tosca, Porgy and Bess).

MAHLER: Symphony no. 8

The Gala release of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony from Hamburg performances on 29 and 30 November 1954 serves to document further the composer’s presence in the concerto hall prior to the well-known Mahler-renewal in 1960.

A Masked Ball by Brooklyn Repertory Opera

Amato Opera went to the netherworld of expired extravaganzas this spring, a
one-man operation whose one man was weary. As New York’s oldest
down-the-block and semi-pro company, it’s loss was regrettable —
though it’s many years since Amato gave up doing interesting repertory.

Saint Louis: Reliably Excellent

It is quite possible that Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is the leading summer opera destination in the United States.

Schwanengesang at Wigmore Hall

A performance of sublime authority from Goerne and Eschenbach

John McCarthy: Charismatic choral conductor and arranger

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-mccarthy-charismatic-choral-conductor-and-arranger-1712389.html

Madam Butterfly – English National Opera, London Coliseum

Following the death of the American film director Anthony Minghella, ENO were left with a gap in the season vacated by the new production which he had been engaged to direct, and what better way to do so than by bringing back his immensely popular 2005 staging of Madam Butterfly? Minghella’s widow, Carolyn Choa (who has worked on the production from its original conception) was charged with resurrecting the production in tribute.

Wagner’s great-granddaughter to probe composer’s family links with Hitler and the Nazis

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194536/Wagners-great-granddaughter-probe-composers-family-links-Hitler-Nazis.html

‘Ghosts of Versailles’ an entertaining evening

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/stage/story/80A62C6B9AD75BB9862575D9006EA789?OpenDocument