Giuseppe Verdi was a painfully private individual. Details about his romantic encounters are sketchy, and for the most part rely on his own and somewhat inconsistent recollections later in life. We do know, however, that Verdi went to live in

It is said that Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is the Bach of our century. An unassuming man with furrowed brow, a big bushy salt and pepper beard, and serious contemplative demeanor, this contemporary composer, does not tend to make people

Guillaume Dufay, Nuper rosarum flores For almost 600 years, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower) has dominated the cityscape of Florence. Build on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint

Karlo Margetić would like to thank fellow composer, Jack Body, for ordering him to apply to the Intimacy of Creativity 2013, because if his friend hadn’t, Karlo would have missed out on what he described as a “fantastic opportunity”. Born

To a novice like me in opera appreciation, the production of La Cenerentola at Palais Garnier on February 27 was a delightful eye opener. It all began with my first visit to Paris in 13 years last month for a

One of the hottest topics in town was the Shanghai Grand Theatre’s HD film screening of the London National Theatre production of Frankenstein. Tickets sold out immediately. Whispers crossed the city about how brilliant it was. However, this article is

Within the enormous variety and diversity of musical compositions, only a select few ever manage to withstand the test of time. One such work is the “Chaconne” from the Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin, composed by

Song from the Faroer Islands: Let’s Dance Gay in Green Meadow Caroline Weichert Clemens Rave From Grainger: Folk-Inspired Works For Piano Duet and Duo (2012) Released by Naxos Grand Piano Grainger: Song from the Faroer Islands: Let’s Dance Gay in