Orfeo ed Euridice at the MET

I am an ardent fan of Stephanie Blythe, and if you revel in sheer sound, she will delight you, too.

Anne Ozorio Interviews Ingo Metzmacher on Die tote Stadt

Erich Korngold’s Die tote Stadt comes to the Royal Opera House in January 2009. It’s the first time this production has been seen in London : it is the famed Willy Decker production from Salzburg in 2004 which did so much to restore Korngold’s status.

Pfitzner’s Palestrina at Bavarian State Opera

Writer Jens F. Laurson reports from Munich, where a new staging of Hans Pfitzner’s Palestrina opened Jan. 19 at the National Theater. The rarely-performed 1917 three-act opera stars Christopher Ventris in the title role.

Cheap Seats — The affordable art of concertgoing.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/02/02/090202crmu_music_ross

Double delight hits high notes on local scene

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/26/operareview0126lv.html

RenÈ Pape: Gods, Kings & Demons

The first solo operatic recital from the great German bass RenÈ Pape bears a title that serves as an homage to an esteemed predecessor, George London.

AVA bewitches with Respighi

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20090126_AVA_bewitches_with_Respighi.html

A listless ‘Tosca’ never catches fire

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/26/1c26opera19340-listless-tosca-never-catches-fire/?zIndex=42937

Die Zauberflˆte from Opernhaus Z¸rich

A traditional production of Mozart and Schikaneder’s singspiel Die Zauberflˆte can go for charm, fantasy, and enjoyable camp. It can also turn trite and cloying.

Anna Netrebko: Souvenirs

The title of Anna Netrebko’s most recent recital disc apparently springs from the musical selections’ ability to prompt memories in the singer.