Operns‰ngerin Astrid Varnay gestorben

http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,435155,00.html

The Magic Flute — Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1863246,00.html

The Bostridge Phenomenon

The curious phenomenon of British tenor manquÈ, Ian Bostridge, continues to astound, as his concert and even operatic dates, primarily in Europe, mount; his recordings increase, and his appeal to a certain section of the classical audience (they would likely call themselves, ìcognoscentiî) endures. I have to wonder why?

The Mysterious Wagner Archive in Hitler’s Bayreuth Residence

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=apM5OhFrX7Zo&refer=muse

BRAHMS: Missa Canonica
RHEINBERGER: Mass

The program for this recent recording from the choir of Westminster Cathedral presents sacred choral works by Brahms and Rheinberger, anchored at one end by Brahmsís youthful Missa Canonica and at the other by Rheinbergerís Mass for Double Choir in E-flat, Op. 109. with a handful of motets by Brahms in between.

How Mozart’s Librettist Lost His Teeth, Ended Up in Manhattan

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aKgsw1AgkX4Y&refer=muse

VERDI: La Forza del Destino

This cast looks quite promising on paper. However, I cannot honestly say these big names keep their promise, except for the comprimario-singers.

WAGNER: Rienzi

I can readily understand why Bayreuth refuses to perform Richard Wagnerís third opera.

VERDI: Missa da Requiem

Verdi responded to the death of Rossini in 1868 by planning a collaborative Requiem Mass, drawing on the contributions of thirteen ìdistinguishedî composers.

POULENC: Figure Humaine and Dialogues des Carmelites

Francis Poulenc is well known for the religious works that comprise much of his oeuvre after he was traumatized by the accidental and premature death of his friend Pierre-Octave Ferroud in 1936.