Mezzo chooses Judy Garland classic to add her voice to the rising chorus of protest within the arts. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

How did a Hungarian white-bread baker found the most famous musical dynasty in history?

Aussie musician launches first of its kind online platform for instruments looking for love. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Paving the way for the triumph of home-grown music over continental, Saul was presented in 1739 as part of a London season notable for the complete absence of Italian opera. It was a revolutionary work in many ways. It was the first English oratorio with a male lead; it was the longest English music theatre work to date; and it required larger forces than any theatre work previously performed in England. Harry Christophers delivers a highly charged, dramatic reading of the score, from the grand, ceremonial opening choruses, through the more intimate court settings, right up to the spooky scene where the Witch of Endor raises the spirit of Samuel. Listen to the sonorous use of three trombones (a German import in their day) in the battle music. Military kettledrums (which Handel borrowed from the Tower of London) enhance the famous Dead March. David’s ravishing harp solos and a specially commissioned carillon complete the novel line up and Christophers gives each its moment in the spotlight. Christopher Purves is Saul, a fine baritone and an even finer singing actor. His kingly descent through jealousy, fury and despair is meticulously mapped out with singing of enormous bite and panache. Although the…

Australian soprano awarded top prize in one of the world’s most prestigious singing competitions. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

On the eve of her Australian Brandenburg concerts the firebrand coloratura reveals the parts that other singers are afraid to show. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Charismatic Russian-born conductor tells Norwegian newspaper that orchestras play better under men. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Il Trittico can be seen as Puccini’s operatic response to the challenge of cinema: three pacey shorts with flavoursome, impressionistic music designed to project a sense of time, place and action but with less of a focus on the traditional aria.  Richard Jones’ smart looking production from Covent Garden is its first Royal Opera staging in fifty years but with an excellent ensemble and stylish conducting from Antonio Pappano it clearly deserves to find a place in their permanent repertoire. The first instalment, Il Tabarro, is a miniature verissmo shocker set on a sweltering night in a seedy, Parisian waterside community (just off the red light district it would appear in this staging).  This is the dark side of La Bohème (Puccini even quotes from Mimi’s aria).  A tale of adultery and murder it receives passionate and pointedly non-glamorous performances from Eva-Maria Westbroek and Aleksandrs Antonenko as the doomed lovers.  Lucio Gallo puts in a sympathetic turn as the betrayed husband although vocally he is a bit dull.  The supporting roles are beautifully realised, especially Jeremy White and Irina Mishura as a world-weary docker and his wife. Next comes Puccini’s personal favourite, the gentle tragedy of Suor Angelica, which is…

Rafael Bonachela’s erotically charged choreography shines new light on Benjamin Britten. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Richard Mills announces a new opera from Iain Grandage, a legendary Traviata and another Sondheim musical. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Brett Dean and George Dreyfus head the list of winners in a diverse cross-section of Australian arts talent. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

The Polish-born Met Opera star is very much flavour of the month but beware of his famous black-list. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in