The great Dima has the last laugh as Verdi’s sardonic jester.

An awfully correct reading that finds little drama in Verdi’s epic.

In her highly anticipated ACO debut, the opera star shows herself to be an accomplished, detailed recitalist.

Ahead of her Violetta for Opera Australia, we give the American soprano the Five Questions treatment.

The great Australian baritone is joined by two rising star guitarists in a personal evening of opera and song.

Musical standards aid Kaufmann's debut, if production raises questions.

Thrilling choral theatrics abound when the church goes to the opera.

Despite a sprawling plot that offers precious little in the way of hope for humanity, La Forza del Destino is blessed with one of Verdi’s finest scores. Martin Kušej’s psychologically complex staging for Bavarian State Opera won’t appeal if you’re looking for a chocolate-box production, but it packs a punch and makes much sense of this rambling Spanish Revengers Tragedy. Set in a world of scrappy urban warfare, the kind haunting many a modern war zone, it conveys a constant threat of terrorist atrocities. The direction has its unrealistic moments – people leap, roll and slide on and off the family dining table like nobody’s business, while simulated sex and Verdi don’t always gel – but its visceral nature tallies with the opera’s grim themes of honour and revenge, and  graphic imagery of modern-day massacres will strikes chords. Musical standards are very high indeed, with Asher Fisch leading a dramatically punchy reading of the score. Kaufmann is thrilling, yet subtle as Don Alvaro and, despite a silly wig, puts in a convincing portrayal. Anja Harteros is a perfect, neurotic Leonora, voice rich and text imaginatively handled. Ludovic Tézier is a robust Don Carlo, Vitalij Kowaljow plays powerful double roles, and…

The Heldentenor and most recorded South African opera singer in history passes at 51. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Italy's operatic sensation Giuseppe Verdi, at times could be just like the operas he penned: a character of enormous dramatic contrasts.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were just two of the stars in Rome for the Valentino-costumed Verdi. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Italian soprano Fausta Truffa has become a sensation after her performance of La Vergine Deli Angeli went viral. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in