This year, 2024, is the one-hundredth anniversary of the death of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini in November of 1924. Known for his brilliant and spectacularly admired operas, he was virtually the Taylor Swift of his era. My husband and I

Verdi’s Rigoletto has had countless outings at New York’s Metropolitan Opera since 1883. But to make it worthwhile, the house needs access to a baritone who can handle the tricky part vocally, fill the cavernous theatre, but also can imbue

In a mesmerizing upcoming performance of Nadia in Paris, actress, mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala will embody the legendary and charismatic teacher, Nadia Boulanger. Nadia, a theater work, combines chamber music and storytelling, during which Nadia’s memories are unlocked by the music

What music does an avowed pacifist write during the tumultuous year of 1939? Benjamin Britten was exceedingly discouraged by the rise of fascism and the defeat of Spain’s Republicans. As the Spanish Civil War raged, Britten had witnessed the senseless

What do you get when three superstars join forces? A spectacular evening of piano trios that brings the house down, of course! This was the case on October 17th. Cellist Capuçon says it best: “When you have the possibility to

The International Cello Institute has completed another exciting summer intensive. Held at St Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, they had a record number of talented cellists apply to the program this summer. The program, established by founder and executive director

Who among music lovers hasn’t heard Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, or Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, or Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra? These works are treasured favorites, appreciated equally by audiences and musicians. Each

The award winning Danish String Quartet performed all sixteen Beethoven String Quartets from November 5-11 in an astonishing six programs—a belated celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday worth waiting for. The ensemble was originally scheduled to perform the works in a