Editor’s Choice, Opera – August 2015 A few years ago I welcomed unreservedly the revelatory recording of Leonardo Vinci’s late opera Artaserse (Virgin 6028692) as an undiscovered masterpiece. Featuring a stellar line-up of no less than five countertenors (thanks to prudish Roman fashions, the women’s parts too were written for men), the opera, composed in the high-Neapolitan gallant style is a glorious succession of imaginatively scored virtuosic arias with no duds and plenty of hummable tunes. With the same cast bar one, this DVD is in some ways even better as the confusion between who is singing what, when so many roles are sung in falsetto, is no longer an issue. Artaserse was one of the hit libretti of the period, set by everyone who was anyone, but Vinci’s is rather special. The villainous vizier (Artabano) has killed his king letting suspicion fall upon his own son (Arbace), best friend to the new king (Artaserse). When Arbace won’t dob on dad, a tangled web of blame and deceit ensues before all comes good in a magnanimous finale involving a poisoned chalice. Silviu Purca˘rete’s production is the campest thing you’ll see this side of Eurovision, with costumes that would make Cinderella’s…
October 12, 2015
★★★★☆ Romanian Diva shows Sydney exactly why she’s where she is today.
October 8, 2015
The 60 metre-long dragon will encircle a 16-metre high pagoda for next year’s production of Turandot.
October 8, 2015
Three young artists discuss their drive to succeed ahead of ROH’s staging of The Lighthouse. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
October 7, 2015
With LP nostalgia now playing a major role in classical music purchases, we open our ears to a blast from the past.
October 6, 2015
As Warners release his new studio recording of Aida, we go behind the scenes with the British maestro. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
October 2, 2015
Modern Australian composition and ABC Music are the biggest winners in this year’s list of nominations
September 30, 2015
Angela Cavalieri’s intriguing art brings illumination to Monteverdi’s final opera. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
September 25, 2015
American Julie Adams and New Zealander Isabella Moore triumph in an impressive night of opera.
September 20, 2015
Has classical lost its power to protest? Or was Bernstein at the Berlin Wall, music’s last stand?
September 16, 2015
A look at Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde, the work that changed the course of musical history.
September 14, 2015
★★★☆☆ Caroline O’Connor carries the ship, but too much is lost overboard.
September 9, 2015
