(Photo: Anna Kolata) History is not entirely devoid of female composers. Similarly, history books readily note reigning monarchs who successfully wielded the musical quill. Yet, the convergence of the two remains an exceedingly rare phenomenon. Under the baton of Attilio Cremonesi, the Handel Festival Orchestra Halle brought this rarity to vibrant life. Their performance of Maria Antonia Walpurgis’s 1760 opera {…}
The Philharmonie Luxembourg has announced its 2026-27 season. Here are the vocal performances. The Cleveland Orchestra under Franz Welser-Möst perform works by Strauss with Golda Schultz as the soloist. Performance Sate: Oct. 5, 2026 Elionor Martínez and Josep Maria Martí Duran join forces for works by Caccini, Campmany, Dowland, Ferrabosco, Händel, Hidalgo, Monteverdi, Nicholson, Purcell, and Strozzi. Performance Sate: Oct. 27, {…}
(Photo: Philippe Matsas) On May 12th, the Kammermusiksaal of the Berliner Philharmonie witnessed a gripping concert performance of Händel’s “Tamerlano,” with a refined ensemble of soloists, supported by the Freiburger Barockorchester under the direction of René Jacobs. In an era where Baroque opera is often presented with elaborate visual stagings, one might ask: what can the concert format still achieve, {…}
Spain’s Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa has announced its 2023-24 season featuring three vocal performances. Here is a look at those concerts. Olesya Golovneva joins the orchestra for a concert of music by Verdi, Dvorak, and Tchaikovsky. Erik Nielsen conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 19-20, 2023 Katharina Ruckgaber sings a Christmas concert with Daniel Squeo conducting music by Nino Rota, Poulenc, and Respighi. {…}
Spain’s Tenerife Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2022-23 season with 49 works presented by 37 composers. Here is a look at the vocal highlights for the season. Shiyeon Sung and Katharina Ruckgaber team up for a program of music of Berg and Mahler. Performance Date: Nov. 4, 2022 Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” will be conducted by Víctor Pablo Pérez. The oratorio will {…}
The 18th Oxford Lieder Festival has announced its will focus on the world of storytelling and fairy tales, from Norse legend to the Brothers Grimm. The new season will showcase leading artists including Louise Alder, Ilker Arcayürek, Benjamin Appl, Nikolay Borchev, Katherine Broderick, Stéphane Degout, Tara Erraught, Marcus Farnsworth, Maria Forsström, James Gilchrist, Ben Johnson, Sophie Karthaüser, Stephan Loges, Christoph {…}