These days Jonas Kaufmann is probably the most in-demand tenor in the entire world. His sumptuous technique and polished interpretations have made him one of the most engaging and exciting artists working on the opera stage today. While many recognize the tenor, born on July 10, 1969, for his spinto and dramatic repertoire (Wagner and later Verdi for example), Kaufmann {…}
Gustav Mahler. Born on July 7, he was one of the greatest composers and musicians of all time. At times, chamber music, at others full-blown symphonic as never heard before, at other times operatic, at times in the vein of Eastern music (as Leonard Bernstein repeatedly noted), at times looking backwards to the past of western music, but stretching modern {…}
Happy Birthday United States of America! Today on July 4 we celebrate the birth of the US with its musical symbol of Independence, the Star Spangled Banner. Over the years, many opera stars have interpreted the famed musical anthem in iconic settings. On this day, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton will add her own rendition to the Macy’s July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza. {…}
Joseph Volpe’s tenure as General Manager at the Metropolitan is one of the most impactful in the company’s history. Volpe, born on, July 2, 1940, stepped into the role in 1990, but he came up the ranks, working for a whopping 42 years with the company. Here is a look at some of his biggest moments as the main man {…}
Conductor Rafael Kubelík, born on June 29, 1914, is not often one of the names often associated with the operatic greats. And he never quite got the opportunity to build that legacy due to a number of mitigating circumstances with two of the great opera companies in the world. Here is a look at his career at those major companies. {…}
Thomas Hampson, born on June 28, is one of the great American singers of the past few decades. He has dominated many of the famed baritone roles, constantly expanding his own limits of what many have thought possible. But Hampson’s career has not been limited to what he can do in the opera house or concert hall. He has sought {…}
Anna Moffo and Inva Mula share one thing in common – they are both lyric sopranos that have some overlapping roles and operas that they both performed. But the sopranos, both born on June 27, also share something quite unique – TV and film. Both opera singers have gotten their respective opportunities to not only shine on the operatic stage, {…}
Wolfgang Windgassen is one of the greatest Wagnerian tenors of the 20th century. Known for his intelligence of interpretation and exactness of tone and musicality, he quickly built up a legacy that remains among the most fascinating on record. Perhaps the most fascinating bit of information about the tenor is that he sang every major Wagner role there is to {…}
Among the great works of the Romantic composer Robert Schumann, husband of the brilliant composer Clara Schumann, are the composer’s many art songs, piano repertoire, quartets, trios, and song cycles. But few know that the composer also created an opera of his own. ‘Genoveva‘ premiered on June 25, 1850 at the Leipzig Altes Theatre and has never had a long {…}
James Levine is one of the most influential people in the history of 20th-century opera. The Metropolitan Opera’s maestro has led the company for four decades, essentially making himself the face of the opera house during that time period. The conductor, born on June 23, 1943, is now entering the twilight of his career but remains strong in his endeavors. {…}
We can look at Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger,” which premiered on June 21, 1868, and marvel at its glorious music. Or its fascinating Schopenhauerian philosophy. Instead, let’s just look at the opera’s face value and marvel at the fact that this is an opera about singers. There are many operas laden with characters that sing within the context of the opera, {…}