What is better than an orchestra of young musicians?

Two orchestras, of course. That is why the Theatro Municipal in Rio was crowded for the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester all-Mahler concert under Philippe Jordan on Sunday afternoon. Many might say that having Thomas Hampson for a selection of songs from the Knaben Wunderhorn could explain a bit of appeal, but the truth is that an [...]

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Blame it on Rio

It seems the first time Arturo Toscanini ever conducted an orchestra before an audience happened to be in Rio de Janeiro in 1886. The opera then was Aida – and Aida (in concert version) was chosen by Lorin Maazel and the Symphonica Toscanini to pay him a tribute. As I have written in my comments [...]

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Imbrogli from Così fan tutte

Some say Mozart’s Don Giovanni is the most fascinating of operas. I feel guilty to disagree: I simply cannot resist buying an extra Don Giovanni. But that is probably because I still believe one day the perfect conductor will find the perfect Donna Anna, the perfect Donna Elvira, the perfect Zerlina, the perfect Don Ottavio, [...]

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New sopranos

The fact that almost no-one has ever heard British soprano Kate Royal’s voice before EMI has decided she is the world of opera’s new hot (litterally) property has fuelled good old debates about British classical music marketing and about looks in opera. Before I say anything about Royal, I have no problem about saying what [...]

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More stuff

Back from the trip with lots of new CDs makes it difficult to choose what to listen to. In a second-hand CD shop near the Isartor in Munich I found this Salzburg Festival “special edition” CD with highlights from Mozart opera performances from the Festival’s archives. The selection leaves something to be desired – some [...]

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