Opera News columnist takes music critics (myself included) to task over Leonard Slatkin fiasco at the Met

http://thestar.blogs.com/soundmind/2010/05/opera-news-columnist-takes-music-critics-myself-included-to-task-over-leonard-slatkin-fiasco-at-the-.html

Robert Maggio — An Interview by Tom Moore

Composer Robert Maggio is professor of composition at West Chester
University (in suburban Philadelphia).

Bellini’s Norma at Gran Teatre del Liceu

Some fortunate operas have any number of fine live versions available on DVD.

Valencia Ring: Das Rheingold

Recorded live at the Palau de les Arts “Reina Sofia”,
Valencia, this new video of Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold
is based on the staging of La Fura dels Baus, with Carlus Padrissa, stage
director, and featuring an international cast conducted by Zubin Mehta.

Elena Ruehr: An Interview by Tom Moore

According to her web site, Elena Ruehr has been called a “composer to
watch” by Opera News, and her music has been described as
“stunning…beautifully lighted by [a] canny instinct for knowing when
and how to vary key, timbre, and harmony” by The Boston Globe.

Mefistofele in Montpellier

Back in 1989 Ken Russell opened his Genovese Mefistofele with heavenly choirs contemplating the divinity of a praying mantis.

Keeper Of the Shrine

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704635204575242262598768250.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion

Michel van der Aa : After Life at the Barbican, London

“If you could take any one memory with you to eternity, which one would you choose?” In Michel van der Aa’s After Life several people meet in a waiting room.

Tristan und Isolde in Genoa

Tristan has been a fairly frequent visitor in Genoa over the past sixty years (post WW II). Tullio Serafin conducted the Isolde of Maria Callas there in 1948.

La traviata in May, Royal Opera House, London

Richard Eyre’s production of La traviata is so beautiful that it can be watched repeatedly, yet still yield pleasure. But appearances, however splendid, aren’t quite enough to make a completely satisfying evening.