Joyce DiDonato and José Carreras plus a host of festive features. And we ask the question: So you think you know Mozart?

COVER STORY
Mozart: Waking the Dead
From disputed portraits to conspiracy theories, the Mozart industry is booming. But what about the music? We take a look at what the unfinished works reveal about Mozart’s genius.

FEATURES
What the Dickens?
The Victorians changed the festive season as we know it, but one merry gentleman changed the way Victorians themselves saw Christmas.

José Carreras
Ahead of his Australian farewell tour, we present a birthday profile of the great Catalan tenor who’s turning 70 this month.

Christmas Playlist
Fancy roasting chestnuts on an open fire with Stuart Skelton? Or wonder what Emma Kirkby wakes up to on Christmas morning? Read on…

Xmas Gift Guide
Check out Limelight’s expertly curated guide to the finest gifts for the arts lovers in your life.

10 Greatest Patter Songs
A light-hearted look at the most maddening, multi-syllabled, musical tongue-twisters from Gilbert and Sullivan to Rossini and beyond.

INTERVIEWS
Joyce DiDonato
The socially savvy mezzo supports many causes, but after the Paris attacks she decided to go on the record. Clive Paget talks to a remarkable singer determined to conduct her own personal “war on war” talks to the remarkable Swedish singer that many consider the dramatic soprano of our time.

Dominic Cooke
The British director of the BBC’s epic Hollow Crown talks to Clive Paget about Shakespeare’s take on the Wars of the Roses and working with Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville and Benedict Cumberbatch.

REGULARS
News 
The National Opera Review unveiled; Piers Lane’s successor announced; Can music make you sick? What I’m Listening To Conductor Nicholas Carter. Five Questions For Mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup. Around The World Kosky’s crazy Nose applauded. Guest Column The joys of Community Choirs. Guy Noble’s Soapbox ‘Tis better to give than to receive compliments. Opera Column Rediscovering Sutherland’s 1965 tour. Did You Hear About When Cherubini chased after Berlioz? Backstage With Pianist Penelope Thwaites. World Premiere Mary Finsterer’s Biographica. Rising Star Violist Stefanie Farrands. Composer of the Month Austrian behemoth, Anton Bruckner. Musical Journey Amsterdam: more than just pot and prostitutes. Reviews The latest CD reviews plus the Limelight chart. Panorama This month’s round-up of everything worth experiencing in theatre, literature and film. What’s On The must-see musical events around Australia this month. Broadcast Guide ABC Classic FM & Australia’s independent radio stations. My Music Philanthropist Ulrike Klein.

GET YOUR COPY
The December 2016 issue of Limelight is available at retailers across Australia and digitally through Zinio.
You can also call Limelight on (02) 8599 4204 or email to purchase a copy over the phone: $9.50 plus $7.20 postage and handling (includes tracking and guaranteed next day delivery within the Express Post network).

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EDITOR’S DOZEN
Wondering what to listen to this month? Well wonder no more – Limelight’s got your back (and ears) with this specially curated Spotify playlist: a selection of twelve tracks reviewed in this issue.

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