Could La Traviata be the opera with the most versions available on DVD? The appetite for the doomed heroine never wavers.
Category: Reviews
Wagnerian Songs
If Richard Wagnerís music may be seen to pervade the late nineteenth century, an area that is rarely discussed is his influence on song.
DOVE: Flight
For most of its 40 plus years the Adelaide Festival of Arts has had as its central attraction the Australian premieres of a landmark European opera like Wozzeck, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, The Fiery Angel or landmark contemporary works like Death in Venice, Nixon in China or El Nino presented within a few years of their world premieres.
Karajan Performs Strauss Waltzes and Polkas
Everyone is familiar with the waltzes and polkas of the ìWaltz King,î Johan Strauss II, along with his father Johann I and his brother Josef.
VERDI: Ernani
Verdiís smash hit of 1844 is a relative rarity these days. As Stefano Olcese notes in his booklet essay for a new Dynamic recording, the opera calls for daunting vocal display from tenor, soprano, baritone, and bass.
Mazeppa at the Met ó Three Reviews
This season the Metropolitan Opera presents Tchaikovsky’s infrequently performed opera, Mazeppa. Acording to the Met, “[a]lthough Tchaikovsky is best known for Eugene Onegin and several great ballet scores, he wrote many other wonderful operas including Mazeppa, which receives its premiere at The Met this season. Premiered in Moscow in 1884, it was first seen in St Petersburg just three days later, and has remained in the repertoire of The Mariinsky Theatre from that time. Based on a poem by Pushkin, it tells the story of a 17th century Ukrainian separatist, who falls in love with a friendís daughter. The opera is full of tuneful episodes (similar to those in The Queen of Spades) and this is a very rare chance to see the opera in New York.” Here are three reviews.
HILLIARD ENSEMBLE: Thy Kiss of a Divine Nature ó The Contemporary Perotin
The richness of the Ars Antiqua flourishing in Paris in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries marks the time as one of high cultural achievement, drawing nurture from the contemporaneous rise of the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the University of Paris.
MOZART: The Magic Flute
It would be presumptuous of me to go through the entire plot of The Magic Flute, given its historical and popular significance with all classical music devotees.
GALLO: Opera ó The Basics
Is it possible to say something new and fresh about opera? While many books have been written about the artform, it is rare to find an introductory text that serves its subject well.
Les Violons du Roy and Magdalena Koûen· at Carnegie Hall
On Sunday, 28 February 2006, Carnegie Hall presented Les Violons du Roy, Bernard Labadie, Music Director and Conductor, with Magdalena Koûen·, Mezzo-Soprano, featuring works by Rameau and Gluck. Here are two reviews.