The love story between Robert and Clara Schumann is often regarded as one of the most romantic in classical music history. Happily for historians, many of their love letters survive. They document their inner thoughts and emotions, as well as
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David Popper April 24th, 2013 Composer and cellist David Popper is well known among cellists. His High School of Cello Playing is our Bible—40 Études comprising every acrobatic feat of cello pyrotechnics. Popper was born among the narrow streets of the Jewish ghetto of Prague, -
Will you be my Slave?
Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi II April 23rd, 2013Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco, Act 2, Scene 1 Ben io t’invenni, o fatal scritto! Aria: Anch’io dischiuso un giorno Without doubt, Giuseppina Strepponi must receive credit for Verdi’s first operatic successes. Her performances in a number of his early operas not -
In touch with Mikhail Rudy
The Explorer in Music April 22nd, 2013It is believed that artists who went through pain in life were often able to create work, profound and philosophical; Tchaikovsky and his Pathétique Symphony, Dostoevsky and his Crime and Punishment, Nijinsky and his Le Sacre du Printemps. Despite the -
Teatro alla Scala April 19th, 2013 Every year on 7 December something magical happens in the Italian city of Milan. For one, the city celebrates its patron saint Ambrose (340-397). A revered archbishop, he is widely recognized as one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures who -
In touch with Roger Zare April 13th, 2013 Not many composers can claim to have had their very first music composition publicly performed, but Roger Zare could. And judging from the number of awards and scholarships he has won since then, you might even assume he has perfected -
Handel’s Semele: A wolf in sheep’s clothing? April 12th, 2013 Throughout the 17th century, all forms of staged musical theater were strictly forbidden during Lenten season. To substitute for this lack of operatic entertainment, this period of fasting and prayer that prepares believers for the celebration of Easter did see -
Giuseppe Verdi: A True Revolutionary? A True Romantic? April 11th, 2013 Later mythologized as a true Italian, Giuseppe Verdi was born on October 10, 1813 in Busseto as a French subject, which seems to have disturbed him enough to lead him to represent that he had in fact been born in -
The Reversed Musicians April 10th, 2013 Left-handedness does not only affect one’s writing, it can also bring about problems when playing music. The truth is that most instruments are designed for right-handed people, making lefties seem disadvantaged in comparison. However, the elasticity of the human brain