Dramatically tense double bill pairs Iolanta with Luonnotar at Finnish National Opera

In Helsinki, Antony McDonald pairs Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta with a staged version of Sibelius’ tone poem Luonnotar, brilliantly voiced by soprano Silja…

May 17

April 2026

Infinite voices in a small room: Kinan Azmeh offers a sampling of delights

As part of St Luke’s ‘Visionary Sounds’ series, Kinan Azmeh joined the chamber ensemble to play a variety of his own compositions.

Apr 17

March 2026

A vocally perplexing economics assignment from David Lang with the New York Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel deliver the world premiere of Lang's The wealth of nations, inspired by Adam Smith's famous treatise.

Mar 20

Brilliant performances in the Met’s new Tristan und Isolde but staging gets in the way of the music

Michael Spyres shines in his debut as Tristan alongside powerhouse soprano Lise Davidsen as Isolde in Yuval Sharon's new, beguiling production at the…

Mar 10

February 2026

Premiere of Zinovjev's Taste of Metal in Helsinki, but it's rare Tchaikovsky that's worth savouring

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra offers up a double-serving of Tchaikovsky, with Hannu Lintu and Daniel Lozakovich, alongside the world premiere of…

Feb 15

EU’s Firstborn Indigenous Opera Navigates Questions of Assimilation in Both Subject and Form

My review of Ovllá, a new opera premiered as part of Oulu2026

Feb 6

Sebastian Fagerlund’s interpretation of The Morning Star dawns over Helsinki

Finnish National Opera premieres an emotionally diffuse interpretation of the Karl Ove Knausgård’s novel The Morning Star, with Swedish libretto by…

Feb 1

January 2026

Benvenuto Cellini: Strassberger loses the plot, but La Monnaie still makes beautiful music

Thaddeus Strassberger’s Brussels debut presents Berlioz's opera semiseria with plenty of good music but far more visual noise.

Jan 29

December 2025

Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony make a strong Shostakovich statement

Carnegie Hall's visit from the Steel City's Symphony demonstrates a thoughtful ensemble's ability to make music speak clearly, even without words.

Dec 4, 2025

November 2025

Elisabet Strid renders Tosca an Everywoman at Finnish National Opera

Christof Loy’s psychological staging returns to the stage of Finnish National Opera, with Swedish soprano Elisabet Strid compelling in the title role.

Nov 20, 2025

December 2024

Little Fires Everywhere in Bridgeport

Illusions of fire, of ice, of steady pay for musicians. - Notes on the "Candlelight" concert phenomenon at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport.

Dec 13, 2024

He said what he said, and we'll interpret it how we interpret it.

Art begets art - Notes on Shostakovich's 10th Symphony with the film "Oh to Believe in Another World" at the New York Philharmonic with Keri-Lynn…

Dec 8, 2024