Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi died in Milan a world-famed opera composer on 27 January 1901, but was born on 10 October 1813 at Le Roncole near Busseto in the poorest of circumstances. Despite numerous setbacks, he gradually overcame them, and climbed to the triumphs of the Requiem and the Shakespearean operas.

A selection of articles about Giuseppe Verdi

Spotlight. Warmth and Sonoric Exuberance - Gerald Fenech heartily recommends Tugan Sokhiev conducting brass arrangements of well-known overtures. '... exhilarating, spectacular, absorbing.'

Spotlight. Overwhelmingly Thrilling - Gerald Fenech is impressed by Ivan Repušić's recording of Verdi's 'I lombardi alla prima crociata'. 'Another triumph in Repušić's ongoing cycle of early Verdi in excellent sound and annotations.'

Ensemble. Miraculous Orchestration - Mike Wheeler enjoys Opera North's production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Falstaff'

Ensemble. Propulsive Energy and Contemplative Interludes - Mike Wheeler listens to the Coull Quartet

Ensemble. Another Case of Mendelssohn's Influence? - Mike Wheeler listens to Verdi and Borodin from the Victoria String Quartet at the Buxton Festival

CD Spotlight. A De-orchestration? - Keith Bramich listens to Richard Blackford's new version of Verdi's Messa da Requiem. '... Richard Blackford is a respected and experienced composer, and this is no mere thinning of the texture ...'

Profile. Big Roles - Ron Bierman talks to American soprano Michelle Bradley

CD Spotlight. Unjustifiably Neglected - Gerald Fenech is impressed with orchestral music by Carlos Gomes. 'I encourage you to invest in this beautiful album which will definitely sweep you off your feet.'

Ensemble. Do You like Chung? - Myung-whun Chung conducts Brahms symphonies, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Meditation on Human Fragility - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a special performance in Rome of Verdi's Requiem

Profile. Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity - Ron Bierman talks to American mezzo Stephanie Blythe

Ensemble. Almost as Verdi would have Wanted - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience for 'Aida'

Ensemble. Don Carlo in the Mists - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Florence for a performance of Verdi's most complex and monumental opera

CD Spotlight. Rarities and Discoveries - Gerald Fenech listens to some unusual Verdi. 'A memorable programme, passionately performed and splendidly recorded ...'

Ensemble. Particularly Special - Mike Wheeler finds real character in a Derby performance of Verdi's Requiem

CD Spotlight. A Dark Nordic Kingdom - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Verdi's 'Gustavo III' ('Un ballo in maschera'). '... a good recording to remember a much expected but somewhat disappointing performance.'

Ensemble. The Sheer Cynicism of a Hedonistic World - Mike Wheeler experiences Alessandro Talevi's revised production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La traviata'

CD Spotlight. Delicately Sensitive Performances - Operatic fantasies by Sigismond Thalberg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... characteristically intense and warm ...'

Ensemble. A Revolutionary Score - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience for Verdi's 'Ernani', back in Rome

CD Spotlight. A Verdi Avenue - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Francesco Meli. '... a demonstration of Meli's ability but also of his genuine love for Verdi ...'

Ensemble. Symbolism and Realism - Mike Wheeler experiences Opera North's new production of Verdi's 'Rigoletto'

Ensemble. A Rare Bird - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Gardiner's Falstaff - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Florence for a new production of Verdi's comic opera

Ensemble. Love and Religion - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Rome's first performance of Verdi's 'Giovanna D'Arco' since 1972

Ensemble. Star Wars - Giuseppe Pennisi recommends listening to but not watching Maggio Musicale Fiorentino's production of Verdi's 'La forza del destino'

Ensemble. Black and White - Verdi's 'Il trovatore' from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Conductor's Opera - Giuseppe Pennisi enjoys a streamed/televised production of Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Ensemble. Teatro dell'Opera di Roma Re-opens - Giuseppe Pennisi was in a box for the opening night

Ensemble. In the Easter Egg - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a critical look at two April 2021 performances of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. A Revolutionary 'Ernani' in Palermo - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a production modified for TV and streaming

Ensemble. Mixed Feelings - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews the new Opéra de Paris production of 'Aida'

Ensemble. Appreciation of Nature - Maria Nockin reviews a 'Met Stars' online concert from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, featuring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova and Pavel Nebolsin

Ensemble. Zubin's Otello - Giuseppe Pennisi watches a new Florence production of Verdi's 'Otello' on Italian TV

Ensemble. Italy's Last 'Traviata' (For a While) - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Verdi's opera in Rieti

Ensemble. A Delightful Morning - Diana Damrau and Joseph Calleja sing live from Caserta in Italy as part of Met Stars Live in Concert, experienced by Maria Nockin

Classical music news - Muti Returns to Palermo - Riccardo Muti will be back in Palermo for three concerts and will be granted freedom of the city

Ensemble. A Survival Strategy - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about the current music scene in Italy, touching on recent notable performances

Ensemble. The Belcanto Concerts - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his last report from this year's Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro

Ensemble. Once Upon a Time in Mantua - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the re-opening of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma for Verdi's 'Rigoletto'

Ensemble. An Opera Staging Inside-out - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Lynne Marsh's film 'Tragedy', which provides an altered experience of Opera North's production of Verdi's 'La traviata'

CD Spotlight. Out of the Ordinary - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a new recording of Verdi's 'Otello'. '... a new and beautiful reading ...'

Ensemble. Bold and Engrossing - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Verdi's 'Les Vêpres Siciliennes' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Ensemble. A Dramatic Requiem - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Verdi in Rome

Ensemble. An Autumn Trilogy - 'Norma', 'Aida' and 'Carmen' in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Profile. Collecting Gems - Ron Bierman talks to the American tenor Carl Tanner

Ensemble. A Star is Born - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Enkeleda Kamani as Gilda in Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at La Scala, Milan

Ensemble. An Engrossing 'Simon' - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on one of Verdi's 'cursed' operas at the Salzburg Festival

Ensemble. In a Pleasure Garden - Music by Michele Dall'Ongaro and Verdi in a chamber music format, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Different 'Aida' - Denis Krief's new production in Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Nothing but Praise - Opera North's concert-staged 'Aida', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Improvisatory Freedom - Gerald Fenech listens to pianist Myron Romanul. 'Romanul's playing brims with an expressive power that generates its own excitement and self-belief ...'

A Perfect Fool - George Colerick discusses Gustav Holst and his Richard Wagner parody

Profile. Prodigious appetite for repertoire - Ron Bierman talks to coloratura soprano Alisa Jordheim

Profile. No Vulgar Commercialiser - George Colerick tells the story of Louis Jullien, a French impressario, composer and conductor famous in London in the nineteenth century

Ensemble. Simply Glorious - Verdi's 'La Traviata', live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Strong and Intense - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Attila', opening La Scala's 2018-19 season, enthralls Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Rigoletto and the Fascists - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's new season

Ensemble. Verdi in Ravenna - An Autumn trilogy of operas, attended by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Memorable Evening - Shostakovich's 'Leningrad' Symphony performed by two symphony orchestras in San Diego, and conducted by Valery Gergiev, heard by Ron Bierman

Ensemble. Myriad Nuances of Color - Verdi's 'Aida' in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Mixed Feelings - 'Attila' at the Verdi Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Abstract and Utterly Stylized - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences 'Le Trouvère', the last operatic staging in Parma's Teatro Farnese

Ensemble. When Verdi mimics Donizetti - 'Un Giorno di Regno' in Busseto, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Triumph for 'The First' Macbeth - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from the 2018 Verdi Festival

Don't Forget the Singing - Richard Meszto previews Calgary Concert Opera Company's performances of 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Pure Joy - Roderic Dunnett visits Winslow Hall Opera for Verdi's 'Il Trovatore'

Ensemble. Compact and Fast-moving - Verdi's 'Alzira' at the Buxton Festival impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. References to Fellini - 'La Traviata' in 'La Dolce Vita', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Daily Puccini - Malcolm Miller enjoys an opera lollipop recital in the city of the composer's birth

Ensemble. A Timeless Staging - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Bologna for a very political 'Don Carlo'

Youthful Hilarity - George Colerick discusses comedy in Giuseppe Verdi's early opera 'Un Giorno di Regno'

Ensemble. Appealing and Dramatic - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Compelling Production - Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' at Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Bandits in Rome - Giuseppe Pennisi describes the stormy reaction to Verdi's 'I Masnadieri'

Ensemble. Glorious New Directions - Roderic Dunnett looks ahead to 2018 and celebrates more of the best English provincial opera from 2017, at Garsington, Longborough and Winslow Hall

CD Spotlight. Great Partners - Music for clarinet and piano, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'This great disc will bring joy to everyone who listens to it.'

CD Spotlight. Explosive Classics - A Chandos orchestral compilation, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... the programme is as explosive as one can hope for.'

Ensemble. A Cruel 'Traviata' - Giuseppe Pennisi returns to the 2017 Verdi Festival

Ensemble. Grand Tableaux - 'Jérusalem' at the 2017 Verdi Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Hypnotic Beauty - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlo', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a performance full of dramatic passion and unbridled commitment that keeps the tension at fever-pitch throughout.'

Ensemble. Concerts in Bucharest - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Russian orchestral music at the George Enescu Festival

Ensemble. Grippingly Staged - Verdi's 'Macbeth' at the Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Rigoletto on the Beach - Verdi in Sardinia, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Visions of Human Suffering - Lyric Verdi, and a great success, but in some ways a 'Don Carlo' of losers at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Truly Memorable - Carnival music for piano, recommended by the late Howard Smith. 'Goldstone unravels Schumann's variegated vignettes with outstanding technical precision and startling intellectual probity ...'

Ensemble. Invincible Physical Barriers - Willy Decker's production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La traviata' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Sex and Power - Verdi's 'Macbeth' in Palermo, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Choral Opera - Verdi's 'Nabucco' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Dark 'Trovatore' - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Verdi from Cagliari

Ensemble. A Great Joy - Zambello's 'Aida' premieres at San Francisco Opera, by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. 'Un Ballo' Returns Home - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Verdi in Rome

CD Spotlight. Engagingly Delivered - Robert Meyer's 'Discovering the Double Bass', heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a rare and welcome initiative ...'

Ensemble. Astonishing Work - 'Giovanna D'Arco' in the Farnese Theater, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Born Again - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the revitalised Verdi Festival in Parma for 'Don Carlo'

Ensemble. Nabucco goes to War - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience in Rome

Ensemble. Musically Exceptional - San Francisco's starry Don Carlo, seen by James Sohre

Ensemble. High Fashion - A new production of 'La traviata' in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Barnstorming Virtuosity - The Rochdale Town Hall organ, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... played with absorbing panache by Byram-Wigfield ...'

Ensemble. Passion and Commitment - Verdi's 'Giovanna D'Arco' at La Scala, recommended by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Truth and Loyalty - Verdi's 'Otello', live in HD from New York impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Close to Perfection - 'Il Trovatore' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Faultless Artistry - Maria Luigia Borsi sings Italian arias, recommended by the late Howard Smith. '... outstanding in every respect.'

Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. Unjustly Neglected - Rare Verdi, well done in San Francisco, reported by James Sohre

Ensemble. Quite Stunning - The 2015 Three Choirs Festival, enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. Big Voices - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' from Santa Fe, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Positively Explosive - Verdi's 'La traviata' at Winslow Hall Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. More than a Mere Curiosity - Verdi's 'Giovanna d'Arco', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Long Nocturne - Giuseppe Pennisi describes an intimate 'Aida' in Rome

Ensemble. A Stage Direction to Forget - Verdi's 'Un ballo in maschera' in Bologna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ask Alice - Restricted view recommended for Verdi's 'Un ballo in maschera' at Covent Garden, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Highly Successful - Roderic Dunnett looks back to Worcester's 2014 Three Choirs Festival, and forward to Hereford's Festival in July 2015

Ensemble. True Passion - 'Traviata' on the lagoon, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Bold Decision - 'Il Trovatore' in Naples, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Back in the Lagoon - Giuseppe Pennisi visits La Fenice for Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra'

Ensemble. Greater Depth - 'La Traviata' at Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

An Affectionate Eye - George Bernard Shaw as London Music Critic, by George Colerick

Ensemble. Troubles in Rome - Verdi's Rigoletto, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Human Tragedy - Stefano Ranzani conducts Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Wildly Beautiful - Witches dressed as village ladies of the 1950s as New York Metropolitan Opera begins its HD broadcast season with Verdi's Macbeth, described by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Resplendent Performances - Verdi's Otello launches English National Opera's 2014-15 season in David Alden's new production, reported by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. God's Forgiveness - A journey to the Almighty with Verdi's 'The Force of Destiny', highly rated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Extraordinary Artistic Freedom - The Francesco Siciliani Prize at Sagra Musicale Umbra, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Profile. A Very Lucky Man - Albanian lyric tenor Saimir Pirgu talks to Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Consummate Professionalism - Nigel Ogden begins Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Mastery of Adaptation - Opera transcriptions for piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... illuminating performances ...'

Ensemble. Almost Physical Impact - Verdi's Requiem, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Constantly Knitting - Mike Wheeler was at Opera North's Verdi Macbeth

Ensemble. A Spirited Reading - Traviata at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Quite Different - A special 'Otello', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Perfect Settings - New Year in Italy, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Alive and Well - Comic operas in Berlin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Stylish Women - Verdi's Falstaff in high definition, live from New York, by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Innovation and Tradition - Verdi's 'La Traviata' at the start of La Scala's new season, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Intergenerational Conflict - Giuseppe Pennisi attended a successful performance of Verdi's 'Ernani' in Rome

Ensemble. Brilliant Ideas - Verdi's Shakespeare trilogy in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ask Alice - On 'La Forza del Destino', music education and realpolitik, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A Conductor's Opera - Verdi's 'Falstaff' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Pure Enjoyment - 'Simon Boccanegra' in Turin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Operas You've Probably Never Heard Of - Roderic Dunnett visits Wexford

Ensemble. A Gripping Start - Sunkwook Kim, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra in Nottingham impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Gripping and Engrossing - 'Otello' in an immigration camp at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. New Directions - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Mozart, Verdi and Wagner operas from Salzburg's summer festival

Ensemble. A Turning Point - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2013 Torre del Lago Festival for a new international production of 'Tosca' and a performance of 'Rigoletto' with young singers

Ensemble. Exhilarating Music - Verdi, Rossini, Offenbach, Mozart and Theodore Morrison at Santa Fe Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Long Way To Go - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Tunisia's El Jem Symphony Festival

CD Spotlight. Nostalgic and Enthralling - A Joan Sutherland portrait, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a fitting tribute to the singing legend from Australia ...'

Ensemble. Different Styles - Antonio Pappano's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Troubles in Florence - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

DVD Spotlight. Considerable Turmoil - 'La Battaglia di Legnano', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Verdi patriotic is not necessarily Verdi at his most subtle.'

DVD Spotlight. An Operatic Cinderella - Verdi's 'Il Corsaro' impresses Robert Anderson. '... a very sensitive staging ...'

Ensemble. A Complex Plot - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of Verdi's 'Don Carlo' in Turin

Ensemble. Vindictive Depths - Mike Wheeler was at Opera North's 'Otello'

Ensemble. Cosmic Pessimism - Verdi's rarely performed 'I Due Foscari', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Big Splash - Maria Nockin watches 'Rigoletto' from the Met, live in HD

Ensemble. Monumental Effect - Three companies combine forces, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Unsex Me Here - Verdi, Shakespeare and Macbeth's lust for power, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. New Tricks? - Giuseppe Pennisi discusses a sexy 'Falstaff' at La Scala

Ensemble. Food for Thought - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Un ballo in maschera', considered by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Big Voices - Verdi's 'Aida', live in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Tangled History - Verdi's 'I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... expertly conducted by Daniele Callegari and imaginatively staged by Lamberto Puggelli.'

Ensemble. Philologically Correct - A sexless 'Traviata' opens San Carlo's new season in Naples, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Psychological Evolution - 'Simon Boccanegra' in Rome impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Passionate Acting - Maria Nockin was in the stalls for New York Metropolitan Opera's 'Otello' in HD

Ensemble. A Fascinating Show - Verdi's 'I Due Foscari' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Financial Stringency - Giuseppe Pennisi describes how the Puccini Opera Festival is at a turning point

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - Opera New Jersey's midsummer concert, reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Musical Credibility - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's production of Verdi's 'Attila'

Ensemble. Relatively Coarse - Verdi's 'La traviata' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Quality of Mercy - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of the new Parma-Montecarlo production of Verdi's 'Stiffelio'

Ensemble. Uneven but Gorgeous - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Naples on 'I Masnadieri' and 'Die Räuber'

DVD Spotlight. Truly Hypnotic - Verdi's 'Macbeth' from Covent Garden, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... almost unbearable intensity and shimmering sonority.'

Ensemble. Particularly Sumptuous - Verdi's 'Aida' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Tentative Performances - Gregory Moomjy has some reservations about New York City Opera's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Emotional Shifts - Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Some like it Old-fashioned - Verdi's 'Aida' began the 2012 season at Parma's Teatro Regio, and Giuseppe Pennisi was there

CD Spotlight. Comparing Lockets - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra', heard by Robert Anderson. '... Boccanegra is sung by Tito Gobbi, notable in any context ...'

DVD Spotlight. A Striking Performance - Verdi's 'La forza del destino', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the gypsy and her confederates do Verdi proud ...'

Ensemble. A Triumphant Macbeth - Under Riccardo Muti's baton, Verdi's first Shakespearean opera inaugurates Rome's opera season, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Fine Collection - Operatic bass arias sung by William Powers, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... a formidable mixture of operatic styles ...'

Ensemble. Complex Orchestration - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Verdi Festival, which is short of money but not of ideas

CD Spotlight. Most Electrifying - Toscanini's Verdi Requiem from Carnegie Hall, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... I find the 1951 adrenalin rush positively exhilarating.'

CD Spotlight. Diversely Exhilarating - Cheryl Barker pays tribute to Joan Hammond, heard by Howard Smith. '... four recital items have the ideal accompanist in Timothy Young ...'

Ensemble. A Thrill to Watch - Verdi's 'Nabucco' in HD from Sicily, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Real Triumph - The 2011 Sferisterio Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Delicate Balance - Giuseppe Pennisi has mixed feelings about 'Aida' at the Baths of Caracalla

DVD Spotlight. A Disparate Experiment - 'Aria - Special Edition', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'You never know what you're gonna get.'

DVD Spotlight. Dramatic Truth - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a strong candidate for the library shelves.'

CD Spotlight. Often Spectacular - The American String Project, seen and heard by Patric Standford. 'The performers are undoubtedly superb ...'

Ensemble. Sheer Brilliance - Rossini's 'William Tell', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2011 Aix-en-Provence Festival and reports on four of the six operas

A Stunning Voice - A recital by Vuyani Mlinde impresses Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Vocal Passion - Maria Nockin makes a virtual visit to Covent Garden for Verdi's 'Macbeth'

Ensemble. Dramatically Potent - Robert Hugill was at Chelsea Opera Group's performance of Puccini's 'Manon Lescaut'

Ensemble. When Verdi Slept - 'La Battaglia di Legnano', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Profile. Humanizing Emotions - American conductor James Conlon talks to Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Original but Controversial - 'Sicilian Vespers' as conceived by Verdi, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Intense Confrontation - Verdi's 'Ernani' - more revolutionary than patriotic, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Very Credible - Verdi's 'Il Trovatore' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Too Clever by Half - A very British version of Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' returns to Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. To Suit the Voice - Gregory Moomjy takes a sneak peek at the divas and divos of tomorrow, as heard at New York Metropolitan Opera's National Council auditions

Ensemble. Riveting Characterization - Verdi's 'Otello' at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Simple and Effective - A new production of Verdi's 'Nabucco' celebrates the 150th anniversary of Italy's Unification, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Malcolm Smith (1932-2011) - A celebration, not an obituary, by Bill Newman

Ensemble. A Splendid Performance - Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, heard by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. For King, Country and Sex - Marco Tutino's 'Senso', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Beautifully Sung - An evening with Juan-Diego Flórez, by Robert Hugill

New Year Blues - A roundup of recent London concerts by Bill Newman

DVD Spotlight. The Heart of Opera - Giuseppe Verdi's 'La forza del destino', reviewed by Maria Nockin. '... a rhythmically alert, exciting performance ...'

Ensemble. Stunning Artistry - New York Metropolitan Opera's Verdi's 'Don Carlo' transmission, seen and heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Difficult Cocktail - Rossini's 'Moïse et Pharaon', assessed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Wonderful Surprise - Los Angeles Opera's 'Rigoletto', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Great Vitality - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', heard by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Total Commitment - Bart's Choir's Verdi Requiem, heard by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. A Real Surprise - Celso Albelo hits Venice as Nemorino in Donizetti's 'L'Elisir d'Amore', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Gripping Intensity - Verdi's 'Macbeth' at New Zealand Opera impresses Howard Smith

A Rich Resource - Teresa Verde explains how Theodore Deacon makes opera come alive

Ensemble. An Epic Opera - Rossini's 'William Tell', from Rome to the BBC Proms, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. An Icy Reception - Giuseppe Pennisi describes the 2010 Parma Verdi Festival's stormy beginning

Heroes Step Up in Crisis - The Muti era lays claim to Chicago, by Barbara Sealock

Ensemble. Superb from the word 'go' - Donizetti's last Tudor Queen returns to Rome, and Carmela Remigio enchants Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Very Welcome - Robert Hugill experiences Stephen Oliver's 'Euridice'

DVD Spotlight. A Fascinating Hotchpotch - The story of 'La Traviata', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... fun for the experienced observer ...'

Ensemble. Eminently Believable - Undercroft Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Sex and Heroism - 'Juditha triumphans' at the Sferisterio Festival, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

Ensemble. Dramatic Strength - The 'Glory of God' through three Verdi operas at the Sferisterio Festival 2010, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Real Poise - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Limpid Clarity - 'The Barber of Baghdad' by Peter Cornelius, experienced by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Terrific Pace and Direction - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' at the Buxton Festival, recommended by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. A Glorious Time - Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... tender expression and all requisite vim.'

Noteworthy Impressions - Greg Moomjy writes about the art of the outstanding production

Profile. Important Skills - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Dolora Zajick

Ensemble. Under the Tuscan Sun - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the beginning of the Tiroler Festspiele 2010

Ensemble. Major Delights - 'La traviata' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Thoroughly Impressed - Maria Nockin talks to baritone Alan Opie, who is about to sing Germont for San Diego Opera

Ensemble. A Successful Production - Sixty Leitmotives for 'Tosca', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Very Welcome - The bicentennial 'Simon Boccanegra' in Parma, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - A concert of arias at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Disillusioning in All its Grandeur - New York Metropolitan Opera's current production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Attila' elicits a mixed reaction from Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. Unusual and Different - Tan Dun's 'The Banquet', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Fine Performance - Verdi's 'Nabucco' from San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Perfect Falstaff - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Vienna State Opera

Ensemble. Fine Drama - Chelsea Opera Group's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Close to Perfection - Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' broadcast from New York Metropolitan Opera, by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. A New Light - La Scala gives 'Maria Stuarda' the royal treatment, by Gregory Moomjy. '... the cast was in fine voice ...'

Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Class Of Its Own - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cleveland Orchestra

Ensemble. A Thrilling New Option - 'Il Trovatore' from Barcelona, experienced in Arizona by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Alive and Well - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Zeffirelli's latest 'La traviata'

DVD Spotlight. Intensity and Concentration - Kurt Masur conducts Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... beautifully and confidently performed ...'

Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival

Ensemble. A Classy Show - Pimlico Opera's 'Rigoletto', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Deeply Felt - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Sterling Performances - Donizetti's 'Linda di Chamounix', heard by Robert Hugill

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Ensemble. A Magical Week - Maria Nockin reports from Santa Fe

A Real Find - Robert Davies made a remarkable impact when he stood in as Papageno late in the run of English Touring Opera's 'The Magic Flute'; Roderic Dunnett profiles him and celebrates the progress of other ETO cast members

Ensemble. Thrilling Performance - Verdi's Requiem from Derby Bach Choir, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Compelling Portrait - Verdi's 'Don Carlos' impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Truly Enjoyable - Maria Nockin was at Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Dramatic and Responsive - Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' from Chelsea Opera Group, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Notable Success - Grange Park Opera's 'Norma', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Dream-Travelogue of Intoxification - David Wilkins attends a concert at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire

Ensemble. Outstanding Performance - A San Diego performance of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Rare Treat - Verdi's 'Aida' from Prescott, reviewed by Susan Hampton

Ensemble. Thoroughly Enjoyable - An Arizona winter treat of Verdi's 'Aida', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Amazing Clarity - Greer Grimsley sings Scarpia in 'Tosca' from San Diego, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Magical eloquence - The first night of Palm Beach Opera's revival of Bellini's 'Norma' provides a night to remember for Lawrence Budmen

Record Box. A Theoretician's Knowledge - Andrew Violette's Sonata for unaccompanied violin, reviewed by Howard Smith

Ensemble. Lively Playing - A concert by Zephyr, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Wonderful Weekend - 'Tosca' and 'Mikado' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Superb Cast - Rossini's 'Mathilde de Shabran' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Vibrant Life - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Some point? - Tony Britten's 'new version' of Verdi's Falstaff, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Shame on him ...'

DVD Spotlight. Engaging Integrity - Mark Dexter plays Peter Warlock, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... a triumphant success ...'

Record Box. Virtuosic Turns - Solo sonatas by Benedetto Marcello, reviewed by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. A Bright Future - Malcolm Miller was at the final night of the 2008 BBC Proms in London

Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for operas by Verdi, Mozart, Britten and Handel, plus the first American performance of Kaija Saariaho's 'Adriana Mater'

Ensemble. A World-class Voice - Tess Crebbin experiences Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at the Immling Summer Music Festival

Ensemble. Highly Intelligent - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Museum not Morgue - 'Opera and the Morbidity of Music', read by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. A Thrilling Production - Verdi's 'Macbeth' impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. New Thinking - Maria Nockin experiences an updated version of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Doomed Love - Verdi's 'Aida' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Musically Thrilling - 'Maria Stuarda' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Unusual Production - Verdi's 'Otello' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Absurdly Melodramatic - Mike Wheeler catches up with a touring production of 'La Traviata'

CD Spotlight. A Generous Earful - Peter Dawson favourites from Gregory Yurisch and the Tasmanian Symphony, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... in this repertoire they hardly miss a trick.'

Ensemble. Lively but Disciplined - Robert Hugill reviews a performance of Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda'

DVD Spotlight. Inevitable Disaster - Verdi's 'Oberto' reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Vocally they are in full command ...'

Ensemble. A Full-Blooded Rendition - 'La Traviata' from Southern California, reviewed by Susan Hampton

Ensemble. Perfect All Round - Tess Crebbin visits the Opera Festival at Gut Immling in Bavaria for Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera'

DVD Spotlight. Dynamism and Subtlety - 'Simon Boccanegra' from the Vienna State Opera impresses Robert Anderson. 'The Work is in the safest possible hands ...'

Ensemble. A Degree of Truth - A spring remembrance concert for the Armenian victims of 1915, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Sordid Ferocity - 'Rigoletto' at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, UK. Patric Standford at the revival of last autumn's sensational production

DVD Spotlight. Elemental Ferocity - Verdi's 'Otello', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... this Desdemona can float a line with utmost tenderness ...'

Ensemble. An Imaginative Production - 'Il Trovatore' in San Diego, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Electrifying Production - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Lively Pacing - Verdi's 'Macbeth' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Sumptuous Display - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Enchanting as Ever - Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Fluid Performance - The Chelsea Opera Group's 'I Puritani', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Joyous and Well-paced - A semi-staged Verdi's 'Falstaff' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

DVD Spotlight. An Exciting Performance - Verdi's 'La Traviata', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... result of admirable cooperation between the Zürich stage and pit.'

Ensemble. A Must See - Maria Nockin was at Opera Pacific for Verdi's 'Aïda'

Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman

The Designer Touch - Tonina Doráti and opera production, as explained to Bill Newman

Ensemble. Expansively Romantic - Teatro Lirico d'Europa's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Fire and Flexibility - Verdi's 'Attila', reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Ultimate Destruction - Verdi's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much excitement ...'

Ensemble. Worth waiting for - Phyllida Lloyd's production of Verdi's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Original groupings - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The chief glory ... is Zeffirelli's staging.'

Ensemble. Operatic delights - Canadian Opera Company's Altamira Summer Arts Concerts, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Record box. Impressive performances - A 20th century recital by the Westminster Choir, recommended by Patric Standford

Nabucco, Silesia style - by Tess Crebbin

DVD Spotlight. Hothouse passions - Karajan's 'Il Trovatore', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... wonderfully and indeed relentlessly captured ...'

Verdi discoveries - Tess Crebbin writes about an interesting CD by Riccardo Chailly

Ensemble. Verging on London standards - Roderic Dunnett visits Dorset and Stowe Opera for productions of 'Norma' and 'Don Carlo'

Ensemble. Full circle - Roderic Dunnett enjoys Verdi's 'Macbeth' at Covent Garden

Beautifully together - Roderic Dunnett enjoys the Ukrainian State Opera Company of Odessa's 'La Traviata'

Cultural flowering - Malcolm Miller in conversation with Hanna Munitz, General Director of New Israeli Opera

Resplendent panoply - Roderic Dunnett experiences the Chisinau National Opera

Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Bill Newman continues his series