Conductor Charles Mackerras dies

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/15/conductor-charles-mackerras-dies/print

Dialogues des CarmÈlites from Hamburg

Poulenc’s only full-length opera is widely admired and not infrequently performed, but its claustral nature makes it tricky to stage.

The Fairy Queen at Glyndebourne on Blu-Ray

This Glyndebourne production is, as far as I know, the first recording of any semi-opera that manages to impart a strong sense of what this peculiar, and peculiarly British, genre is like.

von Waltershausen: Oberst Chabert

Oberst Chabert (Colonel Chabert): Tragic opera in 3 acts.

Parsifal on Blu-Ray

In 1881 Wagner and his wife were discussing the myth of Eros and Anteros,
and Wagner remarked, “Anteros is Parsifal.” Wagner considered
Parsifal a figure opposed to sexual love, Eros’s opposite.

Don Giovanni, Alceste, Le Rossignol at the Aix Festival

The Aix Festival was known not so very long ago for pretentious productions. Perhaps now it will become known for good productions.

Mansouri looms larger than life in autobiography

http://www.sfexaminer.com/lifestyle/Mansouri-looms-larger-than-life-in-autobiography-98207924.html

Handel’s Serse (Xerxes) at Iford Manor

Something rather extraordinary happened to opera seria in 1738. The
acknowledged master of that time, London’s George Frideric Handel,
presented two new operas at the King’s Theatre: Faramondo and
Serse.

Three Decembers at Central City

CENTRAL CITY — The story is banal: a single mother, an aging actress,
is alienated from her grown-up children.

A Magnificent Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne

Don Giovanni isn’t new and most of the cast at Glyndebourne (led by Gerald Finley) are familiar.