Star tenor lives up to reputation and more in operatic night to remember. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Star tenor arrives for Oz concerts with bags of charisma but sans suitcases.

Although Gluck’s Orfeo of 1762 was his big reform statement, by that time the composer had spent a fair few decades committing the very sins that he so clearly wanted to stamp out. La Clemenza di Tito, a setting of the same Metastasio libretto that Mozart would prune for his own version, was in fact Gluck’s 16th opera out of around 30 that preceded Orfeo! The plot is familiar from the Mozart, as are many of the arias (it’s fascinating to hear another master try his hand at Parto, parto). Many features of the mature Gluck are in evidence, immaculate orchestration; musical invention; a sure sense of dramatic progression. Where Gluck falls down is a tendency to long-windedness – this is close on four hours of opera. L’Arte del Mondo play modern instruments in period style and Werner Ehrhardt is adept at keeping everything moving, while bringing out Gluck’s colours and ensuring recitatives are engaging. His cast is mostly excellent. Rainer Trost makes a firm-voiced, if occasionally stretched Tito while Laura Aikin is thrilling as the scheming Vitellia. As befits the central role of the conflicted Sesto, Raffaella Milanesi is the finest here, singing with ardent tone. Arantza Ezenarro makes…

Birthday cheer will flow as freely as Moët, as Victorian Opera celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2015.

Leo Schofield says short-sighted State funders means curtains for 2015. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Plucky opera singer staggers through to end of Mozart opera despite injury.

The baritone might not have an Elixir, but he’s learned a thing or two.

Barker in her element, to the extent that she may be playing herself.

Fat lady is given 72 hours grace before opera house’s threatened closure. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Finsterer, Dean, Hindson and Ford head the 2014 APRA AMCOS nominations.

Five finalists from more than 100 hopefuls will compete for prestigious scholarship.

This set is a representative tribute to a much-loved and exceptionally fine lyric soprano.