The Guardian Interviews Violeta Urmana: ‘My voice decides what’s good for me’

First she was forced to sing mezzo roles. Then she was invited to be president of Lithuania. Violeta Urmana tells Tim Ashley why she prefers life as a soprano

Remembering Schumann

According to Charles K. Moss, “Robert Schumann was one of the driving forces of the young Romantic movement in Germany. And like many in his generation, Schumann did not seem destined to become a composer, let alone one who would be so influential in the development of a new style. But music became all-important to Schumann, and he displayed multiple talents as a performer, composer, and literary exponent of Romanticism, championing new composers and their works and influencing the musical tastes of a generation.” This year marks the 150th anniversary of Schumann’s death.

The truth about Shostakovich in his centenary year

Dmitry Shostakovich survived Stalin’s rule by the skin of his teeth. But is his music really the Soviet propaganda that many people claim?

Alex Ross on Beethoven’s Great Fugue

Secrets of a Beethoven manuscript.

IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN EASY BEING MOZART

It must not have been an easy life, being Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Perhaps even more so after the fact when scholars began to do their research and ìwanna besî began their intimations and psychoanalyzing. In the more seventy-five years of Mozart scholarship and its coming of age, one must ask: How much more is there to learn, to research?

The Guardian on Dmitri Shostakovich

In from the cold

The New San Francisco Opera

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA [11 January 2006]: “The San Francisco Opera today unveiled a new visual identity for the Company, heralding the beginning of a new era under the leadership of David Gockley, who became the Companyís sixth general director on January 1, 2006. Elements of San Francisco Operaís new image include a new logo, a glamorous and sophisticated new look for the print materials, and a major redesign of the Companyís Web site.”

Tributes to Birgit Nilsson

Birgit Nilsson died on 25 December 2005 at age 87. Her death was announced on 11 January 2006. Here are three tributes to this great soprano.

DNA detectives discover more skeletons in Mozart family closet

Scientists reveal results of tests on skull unearthed by Viennese gravedigger

The Guardian on Beaumarchais

How to stage a revolution

Beaumarchais, the dramatist behind The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville, was more than a mere playwright – he shaped the 18th century.