Musical Exoticism: Images and Reflections

Ralph Locke’s recent book on Musical Exoticism is both an historical survey of aspects of the exotic in Western musical culture and a discussion of paradigms of the exotic and their relevance for musicological understanding.

CosÏ fan tutte, Opera Australia

Like most opera companies, the Mozart/da Ponte trifecta of Figaro,
Don Giovanni and CosÏ fan tutte are central to Opera
Australia’s repertoire.

Iestyn Davies at Wigmore Hall

There was a certain inevitability about the build-up to Iestyn Davies’ recital at the Wigmore Hall in London last Wednesday.

Elisabeth Sˆderstrˆm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/6629452/Elisabeth-Soderstrom.html

The Tsarina’s Slippers, Royal Opera House, London

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/30a87f82-d77c-11de-b578-00144feabdc0.html

Lorin Maazel conducts Verdi and Puccini at La Scala

In the mid-1980s (just before the Riccardo Muti era began), Lorin Maazel often ruled the conductor’s roost at La Scala.

From the House of the Dead at the MET

Leoš Jan·ček’s From the House of the Dead is a
very odd duck to find on the stage of a grand opera house.

Die Rheinnixen by New Sussex Opera

London has long been spoiled in the operatic rarity department, thanks to companies like Opera Rara, Chelsea Opera Group and University College Opera populating various areas of the Venn diagram that is obscure repertoire.

John Adams is feeling festive

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-john-adams15-2009nov15,0,224344.story

ROSSINI: Otello — Bad Wildbad 2008

Otello, ossia Il moro di Venezia (‘Othello, or The Moor of Venice’): Dramma in three acts.