- April 1 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article, about the surprise discovery of "the mostly complete score" of Verdi's long lost opera Die Macht des Schicksas in a Berlin basement, but do note the date of the article:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/lost-verdi-opera-score-discovered-berlin-basement
- Apr. 1 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) strong review of the Met's new production of Verdi's Luisa Miller, with a particular focus on Plácido Domingo, who is undertaking his 149th role in his in his 55+ year opera career:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/arts/music/review-placido-domingo-met-opera-luisa-miller.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 29 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about the Met's efforts to target a younger audience with BambinO, a new opera for babies between six and eighteen months old (the Met "decided to start at the very beginning" in its pursuit of younger audiences said Peter Gelb):
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/arts/music/met-opera-bambino-babies.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 23 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) rave review of Vittorio Grigolo's performance in what appears to otherwise be a routine staging by the Met of Lucia di Lammermoor:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/arts/music/review-lucia-di-lammermoor-grigolo-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 19 ROH (Chris Shipman) -- another in the ROH Insights series, this one focusing on Macbeth, featuring ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-verdis-macbeth-on-22-march-2018
- Four articles that will give you all you need to know (and more?) about Così fan tutte and the Met's current production thereof:
- Mar. 30 WQXR 3 minute look at the opera, describing how it's normally produced, not as the Met is setting it in 1950s Coney Island: https://www.wqxr.org/story/3-minute-opera-mozart-cosi-fan-tutte
- Mar. 13 NYT (Corey Kilgannon) backgrounder about the mixing of opera singers and Coney Island sideshow performers in the new Met production: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/nyregion/coney-island-sideshows-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=12&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 16 WQXR (David Patrick Stearns) solid but not gushing review: https://www.wqxr.org/story/mozart-sideshow-metropolitan-opera-cosi-fan-tutte
- Mar. 16 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) somewhat mixed but overall even more positive review: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/arts/music/cosi-fan-tutte-review-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=18&pgtype=collection
- March 14 ROH (Kate Hopkins) exploration of the varied music of Leoš Janáček:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/janacek-unpacked-a-quick-guide-to-his-greatest-music
- March 14 WQXR (James Bennett, II) piece about Mozart's "musical diary," in which he recorded the compositions he wrote during the last seven years of his life:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/you-can-now-take-peek-mozarts-musical-diary
- March 13 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) assessment -- in the aftermath of the Met's firing of James Levine -- of the historical role of the "star conductor" and whether it's time for a change:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/arts/music/james-levine-metropolitan-opera-yannick-nezet-seguin.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- March 13 NYT (Corey Kilgannon) background piece about the Met's Così Fan Tutte, which will be broadcast live in HD to the Palace 9 and theaters around the world on Saturday, March 31:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/nyregion/coney-island-sideshows-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- March 12 NYT (Michael Cooper) article re the Met's firing of James Levine after its investigation found "credible evidence" of sexual abuse and harassment of vulnerable artists over whom he had authority:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/arts/music/james-levine-metropolitan-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- March 12 NYT (Rod Nordland) history of Palermo's Teatro Massimo, the biggest opera house in Italy, which is intertwined with the city's history and the power of the mafia:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/world/europe/palermo-opera-teatro-massimo.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- March 9 NYT (Michael Cooper) summary of bass Paul Plishka's long history at the Met (1672 performances), with edited excerpts from an interview with Plishka and a couple of video clips:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/arts/music/met-opera-paul-plishka.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
- March 7 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about Renée Fleming and Kelli O'Hara "swapping genres," including interviews with them about Renée's experiences on Broadway in Carousel and Kelli's at The Met in Così fan tutte:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/arts/music/renee-fleming-kelli-ohara-carousel-mozart.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=collection
- March 2 ROH (Chris Shipman) -- video clip of Russian mezzo-soprano Anna Goryachova singing Carmen's "Habanera":
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-carmens-famous-habanera-performed-by-anna-goryachova
- Two strong March 2 reviews of the Met's Elektra, with particularly enthusiastic praise for soprano Christine Goerke and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin:
- NYT (Anthony Tommasini): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/arts/music/elektra-review-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (David Patrick Stearns): https://www.wqxr.org/story/metropolitan-operas-elektra-compelling-attack-killer-opera
- Feb. 28 NYT (Michael Cooper & Julieta Cervantes) article describing conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin's 14 hour day, including a dress rehearsal of Elektra and an evening performance of Parsifal:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/arts/music/met-opera-yannick-nezet-seguin.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 23 ROH (Sofie Vilcins) - another in ROH's Opera Essentials series, this one focusing on Janáček's From the House of the Dead:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-janaceks-from-the-house-of-the-dead
- Feb. 20 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) very positive review of Semiramide, which the Met will broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters worldwide on Saturday, March 10:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/arts/music/met-opera-semiramide-review.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 18 NYT (Andrew Chow) piece on the announcement of the six winners of this year's George London awards:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/18/arts/music/george-london-awards.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 15 ROH (Chris Shipman) summary of an audio clip of an interview with Plácido Domingo, who discusses why opera is immortal and his experiences as conductor and singer with Tosca and La Traviata:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/listen-placido-domingo-on-why-opera-will-live-forever
- Two Feb. 15 articles about the Met's 2018-2019 season, followed by a link to the Met's website summaries of the various operas and a link to the Live in HD site, which shows which of the 2018-2019 operas will be broadcast to theaters:
- NYT (Michael Cooper), also highlighting the announcement that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will take over from the suspended James Levine as the Met's Music Director two years earlier than previously announced: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-season-dudamel-kaufmann-netrebko-yannick.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (Fred Plotkin), with more in-depth analysis of the season: https://www.wqxr.org/story/analysis-metropolitan-opera-2018-2019-season
- Link to the Met's website for the 2018-2019 season opera summaries: http://www.metopera.org/Season/2018-19-season/
- Link to the Met's website for the Live in HD broadcasts to theaters (scan down below the 2017-2018 season to see the 2018-2019 season): http://www.metopera.org/Season/In-Cinemas/
- Feb. 11 ROH (Mel Spencer) introduces a video with Canadian baritone Gerald Finley discussing how he works to inhabit the role of my favorite opera villain, Tosca's Scarpia:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-how-do-you-play-one-of-operas-greatest-villains
- Feb. 9 WQXR (James Bennett II) article about President Lincoln's stopover in NYC in 1861, before his inauguration, to go to the opera:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/mr-lincoln-goes-opera
- Feb. 9 ROH (Chris Shipman) introduces a video of a masterclass by Joyce DiDonato (enjoy for over an hour and a half if you have the time):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-joyce-didonato-gives-a-vocal-masterclass-to-young-singers
- Two NYT articles about the Met's current revival of Parsifal:
- Feb. 6 (Anthony Tommasini) very strong review, calling it "a high point of Mr. Gelb's tenure to date," and lavishing praise on conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/arts/music/review-parsifal-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 2 (Michael Cooper and Damon Winter) look behind the scenes at the 1250 gallon "sea of blood" that is so central to the production: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/arts/music/met-opera-parsifal-blood-wagner.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=17&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 30 NYT (Alexandra Ivanoff) discussion of the controversy that's been stirred up in Budapest over the staging of Porgy and Bess with a predominantly white cast, contrary to the wishes of George and Ira Gershwin:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/arts/music/progy-and-bess-white-cast-budapest.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 26 ROH (Chris Shipman) "Insights" look at ROH's current production of Carmen, featuring interviews with the cast and the creative team:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-bizets-carmen-on-26-january-2018
- Jan. 25 WQXR (Jeff Spurgeon) gives us a three minute summary of Tosca, with some of the beautiful music in the background:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/3-minute-opera-puccini-tosca
- Jan. 24 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article describing in some detail the bringing of a new opera company to Vermont, Barn Opera, which will present Madama Butterfly in Brandon on February 17:
- https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/barn-opera-company-launches-in-brandon/Content?oid=12087450
- Jan. 24 ROH (Mel Spencer) "Insights" look at the ROH's current production of Tosca, with a terrific video interview with Joseph Calleja and Gerald Finley:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-the-royal-operas-tosca-on-25-january-2018
- Jan. 23 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) enthusiastic review of the recently released documentary The Opera House, which provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the "new Met" came into being 50+ years ago:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/opera-house-how-new-metropolitan-opera-was-born
- Jan. 23 ROH (Sofie Vilcins) article focuses on Salome, and on ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano's discussion of Strauss's groundbreaking music (first performance was in 1905 in Dresden):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/daring-to-be-outlandish-antonio-pappano-on-strausss-salome
- Jan. 17 ROH (Chris Shipman) explanation of why Rigoletto is like Star Wars, at least with respect to the music:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-why-verdis-opera-rigoletto-is-like-star-wars
- Jan. 17 NYT (James R. Oestreich) positive review of L'Elisir d'Amore, which will be broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters worldwide on Feb. 10:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/arts/music/lelisir-damore-met-opera-review.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 16 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another entry in the "Insights" series, this one focusing on Strauss's Salome:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-strausss-salome
- Jan. 15 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article describing and commenting on a new "technological event" -- a concert, with Maria Callas on stage, backed by a live orchestra, with the innovation making it possible being that Ms. Callas (who of course died 40 years ago) is represented by a three-dimensional hologram:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/15/arts/music/maria-callas-hologram-opera.html?ribbon-ad-idx=2&rref=arts/music&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Music&pgtype=article
- Jan. 12 WQXR (James Bennett II) discussion of why Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci are so often paired:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/why-are-cavalleria-rusticana-and-pagliacci-always-paired
- Two mostly positive reviews of the Met's new David McVicar production of Puccini's Tosca, which will be broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters around the world on Saturday, January 27:
- Jan. 1 NYT (Anthony Tommasini): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/arts/music/tosca-metropolitan-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 2 WQXR (David Patrick Stearns): https://www.wqxr.org/story/review-metropolitan-opera-new-tosca-leaps-to-safety
- Dec. 29 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article suggesting (and illustrating through multiple audio excerpts) that perhaps the best opera album ever made was a 1953 studio recording of Tosca, with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, and Tito Gobbi singing the three major roles:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/arts/music/maria-callas-tosca-recording.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=mini-moth®ion=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0
- Dec. 27 WQXR (James Bennett II) -- Though not much opera, here's a whimsical selection of the best classical music videos of 2017, included here for the dog, the cockatiel, and a seven year old Yo-Yo Ma:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/best-classical-music-videos-2017
- Dec. 22 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in the ROH "Insights" series, this one focusing on Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-monteverdis-the-return-of-ulysses
- Dec. 22 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) spotlight on the great Leontyne Price, back in the news for her appearance in the documentary about building the "new Met" (The Opera House), but also describing her upbringing and career before she starred in the Samuel Barber Antony and Cleopatra that was the new Met's premiere production back in 1966:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/arts/music/leontyne-price-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
- Dec. 15 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in ROH's "Opera Essentials" series, this one focusing on Rigoletto:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-rigoletto
- Nov. 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) piece on music's ability to improve our mental well-being, beginning with a discussion of Farinelli and the King, about to open on Broadway, which tells the story of how famed Italian castrato Farinelli's beautiful singing was able to provide some relief to the depressed King Philip V of Spain in the early 18th century:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/how-music-soothes-all-souls
- Nov. 28 ROH (John Snelson) look at the use of opera as background music in motion pictures, homing in on the intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana in films whose main characters are Italians:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/why-film-directors-love-italian-opera
- Three Nov. 22 articles about opera legend Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who passed away at just 55 on November 22:
- NYT (Anthony Tommasini) obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/arts/music/dmitri-hvorostovsky-dead.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- ROH (Alaisdair Steven) remembrance: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/remembering-dmitri-hvorostovsky-1962-2017
- NYT (Zachary Woolfe) collection of his, Anthony Tommasini's, and Michael Cooper's favorite clips: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/arts/music/dmitri-hvorostovsky-verdi-tchaikovsky-youtube.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Nov. 10 ROH (Mel Spencer) -- Another ROH "Insights" program, this one focusing on Rossini's Semiramide, with a wonderful and informative video featuring Joyce DiDonato, Antonio Pappano, Lawrence Brownlee and others (also available on YouTube):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-rossinis-semiramide-on-9-november-2017
- Oct. 27 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) discussion of whether or not to replace long-lived opera productions, with a particular focus on the Met's 1981 Zeffirelli staging of La Bohème:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/27/arts/music/la-boheme-puccini-opera-metropolitan-london-paris.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Oct. 6 NYT (Harvey Sachs) interesting exploration of ROH Music Director Antonio's Pappano's life, including his stint as a teenager in Bridgeport, CT, helping his father give voice lessons:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/arts/music/antonio-pappano-conductor-carnegie.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Sept. 25 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) talks about evaluating operas and individual performances and his view that opera is "about life" and a love of it is "for life":
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/good-better-best-opera
- Sept. 22 NYT (Michael Cooper) article on the upcoming retirement of 70 year-old José Careras, including an interview re his long career:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/arts/music/jose-carreras-three-tenors.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Sept. 15 NYT (Michael Cooper) historical summary of the building of the new Met, 50+ years ago, including a number of interesting videos, e.g., one describing how the "sputnik chandeliers" were designed:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-documentary.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Sept. 15 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) -- another in his "Singular Voices" series, this one focusing on Maria Callas:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singular-voices-maria-callas
- Sept. 13 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) update on Vermont soprano Mary Bonhag, who had a terrific summer at Tanglewood:
- https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/mary-bonhag-and-tanglewood-fellows-perform-in-vermont/Content?oid=8067715
- Sept. 11 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in ROH's Opera Essentials series, this one focusing on La Bohème:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-everything-you-need-to-know-about-puccinis-la-boheme
- Sept. 5 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) remembrance of Luciano Pavarotti, who died ten years ago, with very entertaining video clips (what a voice!):
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/ten-years-after-looking-luciano-pavarottis-evolution-artist
- Aug. 30 ROH (Chris Shipman) "Insights" video look at ROH's new production of La Bohème:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-a-first-glimpse-of-the-royal-operas-new-la-boheme-on-31-august-2017
- Aug. 16 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) entertaining discussion of successful crossover artists, e.g., those who perform opera and the blues (listen to Eileen Farrell):
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singing-opera-and-all-jazz
- Aug. 1 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) piece about José Carreras, with clips that are well worth seeing/hearing:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singular-voices-poetical-jose-carreras
- June 6 ROH (Emma Baker) focuses on ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano, with two excellent video clips of Pappano discussing Puccini and his music:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/why-puccini-is-the-alfred-hitchcock-of-opera
- May 23 ROH (Asher Korner) -- brief summary of ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano's thoughts on Otello, but the real draw here is the video of Pappano's presentation, combining his thoughts with musical excerpts from the opera:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-why-performing-verdis-otello-ranks-among-operas-greatest-challenges
- May 16 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) glowing appreciation of Renée Fleming and her multi-faceted career:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/renee-fleming-artist-her-time
- Two boffo reviews for the Met's "50 Years at Lincoln Center" Gala, each including a video clip of Dmitri Hvorostovsky's surprise appearance to sing "Cortigiani" from Rigoletto, which was preceded and followed by standing ovations:
- May 8 NYT (Anthony Tommasini): www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/arts/music/review-metropolitan-opera-50th-anniversary-gala-concert.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- May 9 WQXR (Fred Plotkin): http://www.wqxr.org/story/met-celebrates-its-opera-house
- Two May 5 NYT articles related to the Met's 50 Years at Lincoln Center, one that looks primarily to the past and one that relates to the future:
- (Michael Cooper), providing interesting information and statistics that illuminate the past: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/arts/music/triumph-tragedy-and-50000-hats-the-met-opera-by-the-numbers.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- (Anthony Tommasini), reflecting on whether the Met's house is too big, whether it would be beneficial to have access to a smaller theater for some productions, etc.: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/arts/music/is-the-met-opera-too-big-and-other-questions-as-its-home-turns-50.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- Apr. 10 ROH (Asher Corner) focus on Madama Butterfly, with an excellent video excerpt of a rehearsal in which ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano works with Ermonela Jaho during rehearsal:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/musical-intricacies-madama-butterfly
- Mar. 25 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Arturo Toscanini:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/celebrating-arturo-toscanini-150/
- March 8 NYT (Michael Cooper) article discussing the "star system" in today's opera world, with a focus on Jonas Kaufmann:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/arts/music/jonas-kaufmann-a-tenor-in-demand-now-in-short-supply.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Two Feb. 15 articles about the Met's 2017-2018 season:
- NYT (Michael Cooper), relatively brief: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-2017-2018-season-highlights.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (Fred Plotkin), with more analysis and the list of operas broadcast to theaters in HD: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/analysis-metropolitan-operas-2017-2018-season/
- Feb. 10 WQXR (Fred Plotkin), another in his Singular Voices series, this one focusing on Leontyne Price, with a number of audio and video clips spotlighting her wonderful voice, as well as a very amusing 1966 "What's My Line" clip:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/singular-voices-leontyne-price/
- Jan. 30 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- selection of ten of the greatest bass-baritone roles, with some excellent audio and video clips:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/10-of-the-greatest-bass-baritone-roles
- Jan. 27 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) -- very interesting discussion of master classes, with a video of a class taught by Marilyn Horne:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/learning-words-and-music-masters/
Favorites from Prior Years:
2016
- In honor of the 50th anniversary of the new Met, here are three articles discussing both the new and the old Mets:
- Sept. 26 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - remembering the Old Met: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/remembering-old-metropolitan-opera-house/
- Sept. 18 NYT Flashback - reprinting the 1966 article the day after the opening of the new building: http://iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/1966-new-met-opera-opens/?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Sept. 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - recollections from 50 years of attending the new Met: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/50-years-new-metropolitan-opera-house/
- July 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - for history buff's, a look at the tours the Met used to take around the country and around the world, presenting major operas sung by major stars:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/before-hd-metropolitan-opera-tour-brought-opera-us-world/
- May 11 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article provides an intriguing "up close and personal" look at Mary Bonhag, co-founder (with husband Evan Premo) of Scrag Mountain Music and Vermont's go-to soprano as both concert soloist and opera singer (in A Fleeting Animal last year and in Diaries of Adam and Eve in August):
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/soprano-mary-bonhag-gives-voice-to-vermont/Content?oid=3349204
- Mar. 18 NYT (Michael Cooper) article focusing on David McVicar, who's directing five operas at the Met this season, and in particular on his views re how operas should be staged (e.g., traditional vs. provocative reinterpretations):
- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/arts/music/hollywood-nope-the-met-will-do-for-david-mcvicar.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 2 ROH (Warwick Thompson) article about Joyce DiDonato's enthusiasm re her June appearance at ROH in Werther, and especially about working with Music Director Antonio Pappano:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/joyce-didonato-on-werther-a-role-i-always-knew-i-had-to-sing
- Jan. 21 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) pens "an appreciation" of Plácido Domingo, waxing enthusiastic about all that he has done throughout his long career:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/placido-domingo-appreciation-man-many-parts/
2015:
Oct. 13 ROH (Chris Shipman) article noting that The Opera Machine -- which allows users to "get backstage" through the use of 17 cameras videotaping what's happening at a production of Die Walküre -- has won a prestigious "Lovie" award for digital production and excellence within the European Union (click on The Opera Machine at the very beginning of the article to give it a test run):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/the-opera-machine-and-orfeo-live-stream-win-lovie-awards-2015
- Oct. 7 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article about the evolving and increasingly successful Vermont opera scene, focusing on the Vermont Opera Project and particularly on the Opera Company of Middlebury:
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermont-opera-hits-a-high-note/Content?oid=2934669
- Two July 27 articles about the Met's announcement that it is making its "On Demand" subscription streaming services available through ROKU, which makes it considerably easier to access its catalogue of video and audio recordings:
- NYT (Michael Cooper): http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/metropolitan-opera-streaming-service-expands-to-roku/?ref=topics
- WQXR (Brian Wise): http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/metropolitan-opera-targets-tv-sets-roku-channel/
- July 9 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article discussing the results of Peter Gelb's recruitment of Broadway directors, with a particular focus on Bartlett Sher:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/theater/broadway-skills-in-opera-theyre-a-puzzlement.html
- May 7 ROH (Rose Slavin) announcement that Opera Europa is beginning a FREE live streaming program, which will include broadcasts from some of the best houses in Europe:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-europa-live-streaming-platform-launches-with-a-relay-of-la-traviata-from-teatro-real-madrid-on-8-may-2015
- May 6 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) - very nice piece about Erik Kroncke, "Vermont's premier bass opera singer":
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermont-singer-erik-kroncke-makes-his-way-in-opera/Content?oid=2583619
- Mar. 23 New Yorker issue (James B. Stewart) -- "A Fight at the Opera," a detailed examination of senior level management (Peter Gelb and the Board of Directors) over the past few years:
- http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/23/a-fight-at-the-opera?mbid=nl_031615_Daily&CNDID=24955125&mbid=nl_031615_Daily&CNDID=24955125&spMailingID=7586374&spUserID=Mjk5NzAyNTA2NTkS1&spJobID=641403504&spReportId=NjQxNDAzNTA0S0
2014:
- Oct. 24 NYT (Michael Cooper) look at the wondrous career of James Levine, noting hit 2500th performance with the Met on October 25:
-http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/arts/music/james-levine-leads-his-2500th-met-performance-saturday.html
- Aug. 22 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about streaming operas from around the world into the comfort of your own home:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/24/arts/music/an-opera-lover-tests-streaming-services.html?_r=0
- July 31 ROH (Chris Shipman) article and video with Joyce DiDonato describing her 2009 opening night of il barbiere di siviglia, when she broke her leg on stage:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-joyce-didonato-on-performing-il-barbiere-di-siviglia-with-a-broken-leg
2013:
- Oct. 5 NYT (Edward Lewine) article, with Peter Gelb talking about his office and life at the Met:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/business/in-an-opera-house-all-the-office-is-a-stage.html?ref=opera
- Sept. 6 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article nominally about Cecilia Bartoli in a recent Norma, but included here for the discussion of how opera should be presented and especially for the links to an opinion piece by Peter Gelb and a profile of Joyce DiDonato:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/sep/06/cecilia-bartolis-norma-loved-her-hated-it
- Aug. 2 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article re Thomas Hampson's BBC interview about opera, in which he attempts to convince a very doubtful interviewer of the magic of opera:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/aug/02/thomas-hampson-hot-seat-hardtalk/
- June 18 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article re what makes a great conductor, focusing on James Levine:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/jun/18/what-makes-successful-conductor/
- Jan. 30 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article that Joyce DiDonato fans will love re her teaching of a master's class and her outlook on life. Take a few moments to click on the link near the end to access a letter she wrote to a young singer:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/jan/30/master-class-joyce-didonato-delivers-lessons-juilliard/
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/lost-verdi-opera-score-discovered-berlin-basement
- Apr. 1 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) strong review of the Met's new production of Verdi's Luisa Miller, with a particular focus on Plácido Domingo, who is undertaking his 149th role in his in his 55+ year opera career:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/arts/music/review-placido-domingo-met-opera-luisa-miller.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 29 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about the Met's efforts to target a younger audience with BambinO, a new opera for babies between six and eighteen months old (the Met "decided to start at the very beginning" in its pursuit of younger audiences said Peter Gelb):
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/arts/music/met-opera-bambino-babies.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 23 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) rave review of Vittorio Grigolo's performance in what appears to otherwise be a routine staging by the Met of Lucia di Lammermoor:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/arts/music/review-lucia-di-lammermoor-grigolo-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 19 ROH (Chris Shipman) -- another in the ROH Insights series, this one focusing on Macbeth, featuring ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-verdis-macbeth-on-22-march-2018
- Four articles that will give you all you need to know (and more?) about Così fan tutte and the Met's current production thereof:
- Mar. 30 WQXR 3 minute look at the opera, describing how it's normally produced, not as the Met is setting it in 1950s Coney Island: https://www.wqxr.org/story/3-minute-opera-mozart-cosi-fan-tutte
- Mar. 13 NYT (Corey Kilgannon) backgrounder about the mixing of opera singers and Coney Island sideshow performers in the new Met production: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/nyregion/coney-island-sideshows-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=12&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 16 WQXR (David Patrick Stearns) solid but not gushing review: https://www.wqxr.org/story/mozart-sideshow-metropolitan-opera-cosi-fan-tutte
- Mar. 16 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) somewhat mixed but overall even more positive review: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/arts/music/cosi-fan-tutte-review-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=18&pgtype=collection
- March 14 ROH (Kate Hopkins) exploration of the varied music of Leoš Janáček:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/janacek-unpacked-a-quick-guide-to-his-greatest-music
- March 14 WQXR (James Bennett, II) piece about Mozart's "musical diary," in which he recorded the compositions he wrote during the last seven years of his life:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/you-can-now-take-peek-mozarts-musical-diary
- March 13 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) assessment -- in the aftermath of the Met's firing of James Levine -- of the historical role of the "star conductor" and whether it's time for a change:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/arts/music/james-levine-metropolitan-opera-yannick-nezet-seguin.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- March 13 NYT (Corey Kilgannon) background piece about the Met's Così Fan Tutte, which will be broadcast live in HD to the Palace 9 and theaters around the world on Saturday, March 31:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/nyregion/coney-island-sideshows-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- March 12 NYT (Michael Cooper) article re the Met's firing of James Levine after its investigation found "credible evidence" of sexual abuse and harassment of vulnerable artists over whom he had authority:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/arts/music/james-levine-metropolitan-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- March 12 NYT (Rod Nordland) history of Palermo's Teatro Massimo, the biggest opera house in Italy, which is intertwined with the city's history and the power of the mafia:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/world/europe/palermo-opera-teatro-massimo.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- March 9 NYT (Michael Cooper) summary of bass Paul Plishka's long history at the Met (1672 performances), with edited excerpts from an interview with Plishka and a couple of video clips:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/arts/music/met-opera-paul-plishka.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
- March 7 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about Renée Fleming and Kelli O'Hara "swapping genres," including interviews with them about Renée's experiences on Broadway in Carousel and Kelli's at The Met in Così fan tutte:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/arts/music/renee-fleming-kelli-ohara-carousel-mozart.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=collection
- March 2 ROH (Chris Shipman) -- video clip of Russian mezzo-soprano Anna Goryachova singing Carmen's "Habanera":
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-carmens-famous-habanera-performed-by-anna-goryachova
- Two strong March 2 reviews of the Met's Elektra, with particularly enthusiastic praise for soprano Christine Goerke and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin:
- NYT (Anthony Tommasini): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/arts/music/elektra-review-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (David Patrick Stearns): https://www.wqxr.org/story/metropolitan-operas-elektra-compelling-attack-killer-opera
- Feb. 28 NYT (Michael Cooper & Julieta Cervantes) article describing conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin's 14 hour day, including a dress rehearsal of Elektra and an evening performance of Parsifal:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/arts/music/met-opera-yannick-nezet-seguin.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 23 ROH (Sofie Vilcins) - another in ROH's Opera Essentials series, this one focusing on Janáček's From the House of the Dead:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-janaceks-from-the-house-of-the-dead
- Feb. 20 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) very positive review of Semiramide, which the Met will broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters worldwide on Saturday, March 10:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/arts/music/met-opera-semiramide-review.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 18 NYT (Andrew Chow) piece on the announcement of the six winners of this year's George London awards:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/18/arts/music/george-london-awards.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 15 ROH (Chris Shipman) summary of an audio clip of an interview with Plácido Domingo, who discusses why opera is immortal and his experiences as conductor and singer with Tosca and La Traviata:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/listen-placido-domingo-on-why-opera-will-live-forever
- Two Feb. 15 articles about the Met's 2018-2019 season, followed by a link to the Met's website summaries of the various operas and a link to the Live in HD site, which shows which of the 2018-2019 operas will be broadcast to theaters:
- NYT (Michael Cooper), also highlighting the announcement that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will take over from the suspended James Levine as the Met's Music Director two years earlier than previously announced: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-season-dudamel-kaufmann-netrebko-yannick.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (Fred Plotkin), with more in-depth analysis of the season: https://www.wqxr.org/story/analysis-metropolitan-opera-2018-2019-season
- Link to the Met's website for the 2018-2019 season opera summaries: http://www.metopera.org/Season/2018-19-season/
- Link to the Met's website for the Live in HD broadcasts to theaters (scan down below the 2017-2018 season to see the 2018-2019 season): http://www.metopera.org/Season/In-Cinemas/
- Feb. 11 ROH (Mel Spencer) introduces a video with Canadian baritone Gerald Finley discussing how he works to inhabit the role of my favorite opera villain, Tosca's Scarpia:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-how-do-you-play-one-of-operas-greatest-villains
- Feb. 9 WQXR (James Bennett II) article about President Lincoln's stopover in NYC in 1861, before his inauguration, to go to the opera:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/mr-lincoln-goes-opera
- Feb. 9 ROH (Chris Shipman) introduces a video of a masterclass by Joyce DiDonato (enjoy for over an hour and a half if you have the time):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-joyce-didonato-gives-a-vocal-masterclass-to-young-singers
- Two NYT articles about the Met's current revival of Parsifal:
- Feb. 6 (Anthony Tommasini) very strong review, calling it "a high point of Mr. Gelb's tenure to date," and lavishing praise on conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/arts/music/review-parsifal-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=collection
- Feb. 2 (Michael Cooper and Damon Winter) look behind the scenes at the 1250 gallon "sea of blood" that is so central to the production: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/arts/music/met-opera-parsifal-blood-wagner.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=17&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 30 NYT (Alexandra Ivanoff) discussion of the controversy that's been stirred up in Budapest over the staging of Porgy and Bess with a predominantly white cast, contrary to the wishes of George and Ira Gershwin:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/arts/music/progy-and-bess-white-cast-budapest.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 26 ROH (Chris Shipman) "Insights" look at ROH's current production of Carmen, featuring interviews with the cast and the creative team:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-bizets-carmen-on-26-january-2018
- Jan. 25 WQXR (Jeff Spurgeon) gives us a three minute summary of Tosca, with some of the beautiful music in the background:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/3-minute-opera-puccini-tosca
- Jan. 24 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article describing in some detail the bringing of a new opera company to Vermont, Barn Opera, which will present Madama Butterfly in Brandon on February 17:
- https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/barn-opera-company-launches-in-brandon/Content?oid=12087450
- Jan. 24 ROH (Mel Spencer) "Insights" look at the ROH's current production of Tosca, with a terrific video interview with Joseph Calleja and Gerald Finley:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-the-royal-operas-tosca-on-25-january-2018
- Jan. 23 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) enthusiastic review of the recently released documentary The Opera House, which provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the "new Met" came into being 50+ years ago:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/opera-house-how-new-metropolitan-opera-was-born
- Jan. 23 ROH (Sofie Vilcins) article focuses on Salome, and on ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano's discussion of Strauss's groundbreaking music (first performance was in 1905 in Dresden):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/daring-to-be-outlandish-antonio-pappano-on-strausss-salome
- Jan. 17 ROH (Chris Shipman) explanation of why Rigoletto is like Star Wars, at least with respect to the music:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-why-verdis-opera-rigoletto-is-like-star-wars
- Jan. 17 NYT (James R. Oestreich) positive review of L'Elisir d'Amore, which will be broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters worldwide on Feb. 10:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/arts/music/lelisir-damore-met-opera-review.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 16 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another entry in the "Insights" series, this one focusing on Strauss's Salome:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-strausss-salome
- Jan. 15 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article describing and commenting on a new "technological event" -- a concert, with Maria Callas on stage, backed by a live orchestra, with the innovation making it possible being that Ms. Callas (who of course died 40 years ago) is represented by a three-dimensional hologram:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/15/arts/music/maria-callas-hologram-opera.html?ribbon-ad-idx=2&rref=arts/music&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Music&pgtype=article
- Jan. 12 WQXR (James Bennett II) discussion of why Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci are so often paired:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/why-are-cavalleria-rusticana-and-pagliacci-always-paired
- Two mostly positive reviews of the Met's new David McVicar production of Puccini's Tosca, which will be broadcast in HD to the Palace 9 and other theaters around the world on Saturday, January 27:
- Jan. 1 NYT (Anthony Tommasini): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/arts/music/tosca-metropolitan-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- Jan. 2 WQXR (David Patrick Stearns): https://www.wqxr.org/story/review-metropolitan-opera-new-tosca-leaps-to-safety
- Dec. 29 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article suggesting (and illustrating through multiple audio excerpts) that perhaps the best opera album ever made was a 1953 studio recording of Tosca, with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, and Tito Gobbi singing the three major roles:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/arts/music/maria-callas-tosca-recording.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=mini-moth®ion=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below&_r=0
- Dec. 27 WQXR (James Bennett II) -- Though not much opera, here's a whimsical selection of the best classical music videos of 2017, included here for the dog, the cockatiel, and a seven year old Yo-Yo Ma:
- https://www.wqxr.org/story/best-classical-music-videos-2017
- Dec. 22 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in the ROH "Insights" series, this one focusing on Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-monteverdis-the-return-of-ulysses
- Dec. 22 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) spotlight on the great Leontyne Price, back in the news for her appearance in the documentary about building the "new Met" (The Opera House), but also describing her upbringing and career before she starred in the Samuel Barber Antony and Cleopatra that was the new Met's premiere production back in 1966:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/arts/music/leontyne-price-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
- Dec. 15 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in ROH's "Opera Essentials" series, this one focusing on Rigoletto:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-rigoletto
- Nov. 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) piece on music's ability to improve our mental well-being, beginning with a discussion of Farinelli and the King, about to open on Broadway, which tells the story of how famed Italian castrato Farinelli's beautiful singing was able to provide some relief to the depressed King Philip V of Spain in the early 18th century:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/how-music-soothes-all-souls
- Nov. 28 ROH (John Snelson) look at the use of opera as background music in motion pictures, homing in on the intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana in films whose main characters are Italians:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/why-film-directors-love-italian-opera
- Three Nov. 22 articles about opera legend Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who passed away at just 55 on November 22:
- NYT (Anthony Tommasini) obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/arts/music/dmitri-hvorostovsky-dead.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection
- ROH (Alaisdair Steven) remembrance: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/remembering-dmitri-hvorostovsky-1962-2017
- NYT (Zachary Woolfe) collection of his, Anthony Tommasini's, and Michael Cooper's favorite clips: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/arts/music/dmitri-hvorostovsky-verdi-tchaikovsky-youtube.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
- Nov. 10 ROH (Mel Spencer) -- Another ROH "Insights" program, this one focusing on Rossini's Semiramide, with a wonderful and informative video featuring Joyce DiDonato, Antonio Pappano, Lawrence Brownlee and others (also available on YouTube):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-insights-into-rossinis-semiramide-on-9-november-2017
- Oct. 27 NYT (Zachary Woolfe) discussion of whether or not to replace long-lived opera productions, with a particular focus on the Met's 1981 Zeffirelli staging of La Bohème:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/27/arts/music/la-boheme-puccini-opera-metropolitan-london-paris.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Oct. 6 NYT (Harvey Sachs) interesting exploration of ROH Music Director Antonio's Pappano's life, including his stint as a teenager in Bridgeport, CT, helping his father give voice lessons:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/arts/music/antonio-pappano-conductor-carnegie.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Sept. 25 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) talks about evaluating operas and individual performances and his view that opera is "about life" and a love of it is "for life":
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/good-better-best-opera
- Sept. 22 NYT (Michael Cooper) article on the upcoming retirement of 70 year-old José Careras, including an interview re his long career:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/arts/music/jose-carreras-three-tenors.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Sept. 15 NYT (Michael Cooper) historical summary of the building of the new Met, 50+ years ago, including a number of interesting videos, e.g., one describing how the "sputnik chandeliers" were designed:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-documentary.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection&_r=0
- Sept. 15 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) -- another in his "Singular Voices" series, this one focusing on Maria Callas:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singular-voices-maria-callas
- Sept. 13 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) update on Vermont soprano Mary Bonhag, who had a terrific summer at Tanglewood:
- https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/mary-bonhag-and-tanglewood-fellows-perform-in-vermont/Content?oid=8067715
- Sept. 11 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- another in ROH's Opera Essentials series, this one focusing on La Bohème:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-essentials-everything-you-need-to-know-about-puccinis-la-boheme
- Sept. 5 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) remembrance of Luciano Pavarotti, who died ten years ago, with very entertaining video clips (what a voice!):
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/ten-years-after-looking-luciano-pavarottis-evolution-artist
- Aug. 30 ROH (Chris Shipman) "Insights" video look at ROH's new production of La Bohème:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-a-first-glimpse-of-the-royal-operas-new-la-boheme-on-31-august-2017
- Aug. 16 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) entertaining discussion of successful crossover artists, e.g., those who perform opera and the blues (listen to Eileen Farrell):
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singing-opera-and-all-jazz
- Aug. 1 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) piece about José Carreras, with clips that are well worth seeing/hearing:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/singular-voices-poetical-jose-carreras
- June 6 ROH (Emma Baker) focuses on ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano, with two excellent video clips of Pappano discussing Puccini and his music:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/why-puccini-is-the-alfred-hitchcock-of-opera
- May 23 ROH (Asher Korner) -- brief summary of ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano's thoughts on Otello, but the real draw here is the video of Pappano's presentation, combining his thoughts with musical excerpts from the opera:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-why-performing-verdis-otello-ranks-among-operas-greatest-challenges
- May 16 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) glowing appreciation of Renée Fleming and her multi-faceted career:
- http://www.wqxr.org/story/renee-fleming-artist-her-time
- Two boffo reviews for the Met's "50 Years at Lincoln Center" Gala, each including a video clip of Dmitri Hvorostovsky's surprise appearance to sing "Cortigiani" from Rigoletto, which was preceded and followed by standing ovations:
- May 8 NYT (Anthony Tommasini): www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/arts/music/review-metropolitan-opera-50th-anniversary-gala-concert.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- May 9 WQXR (Fred Plotkin): http://www.wqxr.org/story/met-celebrates-its-opera-house
- Two May 5 NYT articles related to the Met's 50 Years at Lincoln Center, one that looks primarily to the past and one that relates to the future:
- (Michael Cooper), providing interesting information and statistics that illuminate the past: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/arts/music/triumph-tragedy-and-50000-hats-the-met-opera-by-the-numbers.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- (Anthony Tommasini), reflecting on whether the Met's house is too big, whether it would be beneficial to have access to a smaller theater for some productions, etc.: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/arts/music/is-the-met-opera-too-big-and-other-questions-as-its-home-turns-50.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
- Apr. 10 ROH (Asher Corner) focus on Madama Butterfly, with an excellent video excerpt of a rehearsal in which ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano works with Ermonela Jaho during rehearsal:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/musical-intricacies-madama-butterfly
- Mar. 25 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Arturo Toscanini:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/celebrating-arturo-toscanini-150/
- March 8 NYT (Michael Cooper) article discussing the "star system" in today's opera world, with a focus on Jonas Kaufmann:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/arts/music/jonas-kaufmann-a-tenor-in-demand-now-in-short-supply.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Two Feb. 15 articles about the Met's 2017-2018 season:
- NYT (Michael Cooper), relatively brief: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/arts/music/metropolitan-opera-2017-2018-season-highlights.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- WQXR (Fred Plotkin), with more analysis and the list of operas broadcast to theaters in HD: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/analysis-metropolitan-operas-2017-2018-season/
- Feb. 10 WQXR (Fred Plotkin), another in his Singular Voices series, this one focusing on Leontyne Price, with a number of audio and video clips spotlighting her wonderful voice, as well as a very amusing 1966 "What's My Line" clip:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/singular-voices-leontyne-price/
- Jan. 30 ROH (Kate Hopkins) -- selection of ten of the greatest bass-baritone roles, with some excellent audio and video clips:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/10-of-the-greatest-bass-baritone-roles
- Jan. 27 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) -- very interesting discussion of master classes, with a video of a class taught by Marilyn Horne:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/learning-words-and-music-masters/
Favorites from Prior Years:
2016
- In honor of the 50th anniversary of the new Met, here are three articles discussing both the new and the old Mets:
- Sept. 26 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - remembering the Old Met: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/remembering-old-metropolitan-opera-house/
- Sept. 18 NYT Flashback - reprinting the 1966 article the day after the opening of the new building: http://iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/1966-new-met-opera-opens/?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection
- Sept. 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - recollections from 50 years of attending the new Met: http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/50-years-new-metropolitan-opera-house/
- July 29 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) - for history buff's, a look at the tours the Met used to take around the country and around the world, presenting major operas sung by major stars:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/before-hd-metropolitan-opera-tour-brought-opera-us-world/
- May 11 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article provides an intriguing "up close and personal" look at Mary Bonhag, co-founder (with husband Evan Premo) of Scrag Mountain Music and Vermont's go-to soprano as both concert soloist and opera singer (in A Fleeting Animal last year and in Diaries of Adam and Eve in August):
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/soprano-mary-bonhag-gives-voice-to-vermont/Content?oid=3349204
- Mar. 18 NYT (Michael Cooper) article focusing on David McVicar, who's directing five operas at the Met this season, and in particular on his views re how operas should be staged (e.g., traditional vs. provocative reinterpretations):
- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/arts/music/hollywood-nope-the-met-will-do-for-david-mcvicar.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FOpera&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection
- Mar. 2 ROH (Warwick Thompson) article about Joyce DiDonato's enthusiasm re her June appearance at ROH in Werther, and especially about working with Music Director Antonio Pappano:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/joyce-didonato-on-werther-a-role-i-always-knew-i-had-to-sing
- Jan. 21 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) pens "an appreciation" of Plácido Domingo, waxing enthusiastic about all that he has done throughout his long career:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/placido-domingo-appreciation-man-many-parts/
2015:
Oct. 13 ROH (Chris Shipman) article noting that The Opera Machine -- which allows users to "get backstage" through the use of 17 cameras videotaping what's happening at a production of Die Walküre -- has won a prestigious "Lovie" award for digital production and excellence within the European Union (click on The Opera Machine at the very beginning of the article to give it a test run):
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/the-opera-machine-and-orfeo-live-stream-win-lovie-awards-2015
- Oct. 7 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) article about the evolving and increasingly successful Vermont opera scene, focusing on the Vermont Opera Project and particularly on the Opera Company of Middlebury:
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermont-opera-hits-a-high-note/Content?oid=2934669
- Two July 27 articles about the Met's announcement that it is making its "On Demand" subscription streaming services available through ROKU, which makes it considerably easier to access its catalogue of video and audio recordings:
- NYT (Michael Cooper): http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/metropolitan-opera-streaming-service-expands-to-roku/?ref=topics
- WQXR (Brian Wise): http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/metropolitan-opera-targets-tv-sets-roku-channel/
- July 9 NYT (Anthony Tommasini) article discussing the results of Peter Gelb's recruitment of Broadway directors, with a particular focus on Bartlett Sher:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/theater/broadway-skills-in-opera-theyre-a-puzzlement.html
- May 7 ROH (Rose Slavin) announcement that Opera Europa is beginning a FREE live streaming program, which will include broadcasts from some of the best houses in Europe:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-europa-live-streaming-platform-launches-with-a-relay-of-la-traviata-from-teatro-real-madrid-on-8-may-2015
- May 6 Seven Days (Amy Lilly) - very nice piece about Erik Kroncke, "Vermont's premier bass opera singer":
- http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermont-singer-erik-kroncke-makes-his-way-in-opera/Content?oid=2583619
- Mar. 23 New Yorker issue (James B. Stewart) -- "A Fight at the Opera," a detailed examination of senior level management (Peter Gelb and the Board of Directors) over the past few years:
- http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/23/a-fight-at-the-opera?mbid=nl_031615_Daily&CNDID=24955125&mbid=nl_031615_Daily&CNDID=24955125&spMailingID=7586374&spUserID=Mjk5NzAyNTA2NTkS1&spJobID=641403504&spReportId=NjQxNDAzNTA0S0
2014:
- Oct. 24 NYT (Michael Cooper) look at the wondrous career of James Levine, noting hit 2500th performance with the Met on October 25:
-http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/arts/music/james-levine-leads-his-2500th-met-performance-saturday.html
- Aug. 22 NYT (Michael Cooper) article about streaming operas from around the world into the comfort of your own home:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/24/arts/music/an-opera-lover-tests-streaming-services.html?_r=0
- July 31 ROH (Chris Shipman) article and video with Joyce DiDonato describing her 2009 opening night of il barbiere di siviglia, when she broke her leg on stage:
- http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-joyce-didonato-on-performing-il-barbiere-di-siviglia-with-a-broken-leg
2013:
- Oct. 5 NYT (Edward Lewine) article, with Peter Gelb talking about his office and life at the Met:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/business/in-an-opera-house-all-the-office-is-a-stage.html?ref=opera
- Sept. 6 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article nominally about Cecilia Bartoli in a recent Norma, but included here for the discussion of how opera should be presented and especially for the links to an opinion piece by Peter Gelb and a profile of Joyce DiDonato:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/sep/06/cecilia-bartolis-norma-loved-her-hated-it
- Aug. 2 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article re Thomas Hampson's BBC interview about opera, in which he attempts to convince a very doubtful interviewer of the magic of opera:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/aug/02/thomas-hampson-hot-seat-hardtalk/
- June 18 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article re what makes a great conductor, focusing on James Levine:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/jun/18/what-makes-successful-conductor/
- Jan. 30 WQXR (Fred Plotkin) article that Joyce DiDonato fans will love re her teaching of a master's class and her outlook on life. Take a few moments to click on the link near the end to access a letter she wrote to a young singer:
- http://www.wqxr.org/#!/blogs/operavore/2013/jan/30/master-class-joyce-didonato-delivers-lessons-juilliard/