A selection of 'Paris' articles

Spotlight. Rare but Lovely - Gerald Fenech recommends Catalani's 'La falce'. 'Performances are excellent in every sense and Fabrizio Da Ros keeps things moving without undue fuss.'

A Crack in Time? - A rare Leap Day editorial from Keith Bramich

Spotlight. Charmfully Invigorating - Gerald Fenech listens to eighteenth century composer Boismortier's 'Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse'. 'Matthias Maute and his Ensemble Caprice deliver performances of the utmost clarity ...'

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.'

Spotlight. The Authentic Chopin Sound - Gerald Fenech reviews Margarita Höhenrieder's recording of the Chopin piano concertos. 'This issue is a truly important addition to the composer's discography ...'

Spotlight. A Glorious Listening Experience - Seven orchestral works by Camille Saint-Saëns, warmly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... a thrilling and vibrant journey of melodic invention.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Maurice Bourgue (1939-2023)

Ensemble. Deep Friendships - Keith Bramich is impressed by Byron Wallis, Bérengère de Gromard and Jeanne Pinget's concert in memory of Malcolm Scott

CD Spotlight. Awesome Power - Orchestral music from Finland, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... energetic performances that consistently engage the listener ...'

CD Spotlight. A More Advanced Creed - Adolphe Adam's ballet 'Orfa', passionately recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... really arresting playing full of joy and rhythmic beauty.'

Classical music news - June 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. Strange and Haunting - Geoff Pearce listens to music for voices and orchestra by Shostakovich. '... testament to John Storgårds' abilities to interpret this strangest of all Shostakovich's works ...'

Classical music news. Obituary - Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023)

Classical music news. Rhythms of the Brain - Performance news from Iceland, New Zealand and Malta

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Looks like we got ourselves a reader

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Wanted: Digital or Analogue

CD Spotlight. Consistently Vibrant - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by German composer Paul Lincke. '... full of striking melodies, rapturous harmonic beauty and often exuberantly dance-like gestures ...'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - The Departed

CD Spotlight. A Compelling Account - Stravinsky for orchestra, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'Mäkelä and the Orchestre de Paris share a compelling vision in both works, and are on their very best form.'

Classical music news - March 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. Obituary - Easley Blackwood (1933-2023)

Ensemble. Twentieth Century Colours - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by a concert given by the orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Classical music news - January Newsletter and December Obituaries - Our January 2023 PDF newsletter has just been published, along with a summary of those the classical music world lost in December 2022

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

Ensemble. Absolutely Chopin - Giuseppe Pennisi is treated to a Chopin recital in Rome by Leonora Armellini

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Wondrous - Steven Osborne plays Debussy piano music, greatly impressing Gerald Fenech. '... despatched with warmth and a great attention to detail ...'

Ensemble. In Honour of Carla Fracci - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Adolphe Adam's 'Giselle' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Violinist, Teacher & Storyteller - Anett Fodor presents two amusing anecdotes which Carl Flesch shared with the readers of Hungarian newspapers

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Sound Sense and Nonsense

CD Spotlight. A Plethora of Influences - Robert McCarney roundly congratulates Chandos and all involved with this CD. 'The playing by the various members of the ARC Ensemble is excellent throughout and the recording is crystal clear and atmospherically spacious.'

Classical music news. Gothic Opera - This Halloween in London UK, Gothic Opera presents a double bill of unknown supernatural operas by female composers Louise Bertin and Pauline Viardot

CD Spotlight. A Commanding Technique - Gerald Fenech listens to Patrick Dheur playing piano music by César Franck. 'A fine and fitting tribute to one of the most original composers ever to come out of Belgium ...'

CD Spotlight. Kaleidoscopic Variety - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Charles Koechlin. '... a near uncontrollable energy that almost brings Chaplin and Co back to life again.'

CD Spotlight. A Pianist who Deserves Attention - Geoff Pearce enjoys listening to Can Çakmur. '... a stellar performance by this fine young pianist.'

CD Spotlight. Spirit of a Nation - Gerald Fenech is impressed by music of nineteenth century Polish composers Henryk Wieniawski, Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński and Karol Kurpiński. '... both players and soloists surpass themselves with passionate renditions ...'

CD Spotlight. An Additional Significance and Poignancy - Gerald Fenech listens to César Franck orchestral music, recorded in Ukraine. 'Francisco Varela draws the very best from the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, and performances are consistently fresh, alive and often compelling.'

CD Spotlight. The Ravel Affair - Gerald Fenech listens to a series of works by Maurice Ravel which all failed to win the Prix de Rome. 'Pascal Rophé draws some convincing performances and, in his hands, the music has an immediacy that keeps it consistently fresh and vivid.'

CD Spotlight. Exceptionally Pleasing - String quartets by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The Arabella Quartet despatches these graceful cameos with aplomb, and the playing is immensely cohesive and consistently alive.'

CD Spotlight. Star of the North - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends Meyerbeer's 'L'Étoile du Nord' on Naxos. 'Vladimir Jurowski conducts the piece with natural gusto and sparkling flair ...'

CD Spotlight. Passion, Intensity and Verve - Gerald Fenech listens to Giordano's 'Siberia'. '... full of emotional warmth and heartfelt fidelity.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Philippe Boesmans (1936-2022)

CD Spotlight. Magical Brilliance - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Ravel. '... wonderfully detailed accounts that reveal all of Ravel's orchestral finesse and deft harmonic touches.'

CD Spotlight. Much to Enjoy - Violin concertos by Vivaldi, Locatelli and Leclair senior delight Gerald Fenech. 'Théotime Langlois de Swarte despatches these pieces with glorious dexterity, and the freshness of his playing is so engaging that you never tire of listening.'

CD Spotlight. An Operatic Oratorio - Attilio Ariosti's 'La Profezia d'Eliseo', recommended by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'The rendering is very good: ensemble and singers are Baroque specialists.'

Ensemble. Modern Madrigals in the Seventeenth Century - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to vocal music by Gesualdo and some of his contemporaries

Classical music news - February 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Ensemble. Experimental to Classical - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Rome's Istituzione Universitaria dei Concerti

CD Spotlight. After the End of the Reign of Terror - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to 'La fille de Madame Angot' by Charles Lecocq. '... not only a musicological revival but also nearly two hours of very enjoyable listening.'

CD Spotlight. Rococo Charm - Boccherini quintets, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'These are finely polished scores and Les Ombres oblige with some sparkling virtuosity that is a pleasure for the senses.'

CD Spotlight. Something of a Mystery - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. 'Michael Halász gives lively performances that sparkle with a "joie de vivre" that is consistently uplifting ...'

Ensemble. Elegance and Drama - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Roland Petit's two act ballet 'Notre Dame de Paris'

Classical music news. John Poole - A memorial concert for British conductor John Poole was live-streamed from London

CD Spotlight. Teenage Years - Mendelssohn's String Symphonies, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are energetic and inspiring throughout, with a touch of crispness consistently at the centre of things.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Mikis Theodorakis (1925-2021)

Ensemble. Camping it Up? - Mike Wheeler has some doubts about the Buxton Festival production of Pauline Viardot's opera 'Cendrillon'

Ensemble. The Orchestra is the Winner - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews 'La bohème' in Rome

CD Spotlight. The Roaring Twenties - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to the first complete recording of Reynaldo Hahn's 'Ô mon bel inconnu'. '... a period-piece that, musically, can be very much enjoyed today ...'

CD Spotlight. Saying Goodbye - Music in response to Debussy's early death, reviewed by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances are great all round, and this is a useful addition to anyone's collection.'

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

Classical music news. Ching-Lien Wu - The Chorus Master of Dutch National Opera has been appointed Chef des choeurs at Opéra National de Paris

Classical music news - January 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. Obituary - Ivry Gitlis (1922-2020)

A Tale of Two Centuries - Jenna Orkin reads Emile Naoumoff's 'Chronicles With Nadia Boulanger'

CD Spotlight. Angels in Paris - Two sets of solo flute music by Charles Koechlin, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... Nicola Woodward's flute playing in the two sets that I have heard is sumptuous and varied, and one could not wish for a finer performance.'

CD Spotlight. Stylistically Varied - Geoff Pearce recommends music by Mikis Theodorakis and Jani Christou. '... the varied moods, colours and textures are brought vividly to life.'

Ensemble. Horns and Headlights? - Ron Bierman reports on San Diego Opera's 'La bohème' from a parking lot in San Diego

CD Spotlight. Immense Joy - Gerald Fenech listens to Beethoven and Gossec symphonies. 'A first-rate project deserving of the most serious of investigations.'

Ensemble. A Nuanced, Idiomatic Portrayal - San Diego Opera's first drive-in opera - 'La bohème', appreciated by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Polynesian Idyll - The first recording of Reynaldo Hahn's opera 'L'île du rêve', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... singers, orchestra and chorus are top notch.'

CD Spotlight. The Sweetness of Life - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to harpsichord music by François Couperin. '... the key note is B flat major which at the time was an experimental, almost avant-garde tonality. Jory Vinikour shows it very well and demonstrates how Couperin was ahead of many other harpsichordists.'

CD Spotlight. A Multifaceted Intellectual - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Saint-Saëns' opéra fantastique 'Le timbre d'argent'. 'From the very start of the overture, the listener feels that this is a brisk and expert ensemble.'

CD Spotlight. Incandescent - Gerald Fenech listens to the second Naxos disc of Charles-Marie Widor's organ symphonies. 'Wolfgang Rübsam provides irrepressible playing in these two early but much enterprising works.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Mady Mesplé (1931-2020)

CD Spotlight. Supremely Pianistic - Gerald Fenech finds pure joy in Etsuko Hirose's recent Moszkowski piano works disc. 'Truly hair-raising stuff, wonderfully annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Special in Many Ways - Gerald Fenech listens to Musorgsky and Ravel, conducted by François-Xavier Roth. 'Truly hair-raising stuff, wonderfully annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Undoubted Historical Importance - Paul Sarcich listens to music by Nikos Skalkottas. '... Skalkottas is no slave of Schoenberg - he has his own take on Schoenberg's methods and one could not confuse the two.'

CD Spotlight. Psychological Acuity - Music for harp by Boris Tishchenko impresses Gerald Fenech. '... challenging but highly rewarding music, passionately performed and sumptuously recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Truly Admirable - Gerald Fenech listens to works by French composer Louise Farrenc. 'An exhilarating addition to the composer's discography, passionately performed and recorded.'

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

CD Spotlight. Gounod's First Faust of 1859 - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Christophe Rousset's new recording from Bru Zane. 'Everything is lighter, softer, more sensual.'

The Ballets Russes - George Colerick tells the story of the early twentieth century ballet company

Profile. Tragic Expression - George Colerick discusses Georges Bizet, as the most vital French opera composer since Berlioz

Profile. A Silver Age - George Colerick writes about Franz Lehár, probably the greatest twentieth century composer of operettas

Profile. A Controversial Figure? - George Colerick investigates the younger Franz Liszt

CD Spotlight. Bold Simplicity - Patrick Maxwell listens to music from Wadham College Chapel, Oxford. 'The choral sound is well produced, if at times lacking in cohesion, and the interpretations at the hands of Katharine Pardee are well handled.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Jacques Loussier (1934-2019)

Profile. Genuine Artistic Perspectives - George Colerick discusses the music of Sergei Prokofiev with reference to the Soviet authorities

CD Spotlight. Fascination and Influence - Gerald Fenech is impressed by Lucille Boulanger and friends. 'The talented foursome heard here rise brilliantly to the hurdles presented and performances are consistently full of charm and warmth, wrapped up in an aura of unmitigated sensitivity.'

Insane Buffoonery - George Colerick investigates the musicals of Florimond Hervé, a man of many parts

Ensemble. An Enthralling Production - György Kurtág's 'Fin de Partie' impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Not an Obvious Connection - Debussy and Jazz, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'For those with wide enough ears it will be an attractive and thought-provoking listen.'

CD Spotlight. Profound Originality - Harpsichord music by Louis Couperin, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Christophe Rousset ... gives radiant performances full of charm and grace ...'

Ensemble. War and Peace - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from the Sagra Musicale Umbra Festival

Ensemble. An Impervious Affair - 'Il Trittico' at the Puccini Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

Ensemble. A Whirlwind of Slapstick - French Carnival Operettas in Venice, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Romanticism and Rock - Lalo and Pink Floyd ballets in Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Unerring Beauty - Praga Digitals' tribute to Victoria de los Ángeles, heard by Roderic Dunnett. 'De los Ángeles herself is, needless to say, enchanting. The purity, the innocence of the voice, as one can hear here, is simply unique to her.'

Ensemble. Sophisticated Elegance - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Giacinto Scelsi

Ensemble. A New Don Quixote - Giuseppe Pennisi describes the opening of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's new ballet season, with a new version of Ludwig Minkus' work, creating a stylised and colorful fairytale world

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

CD Spotlight. Public Taste - Madrigals from Monteverdi's Venice period, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Paul Agnew and his famous choristers give highly exciting performances, with every poetic nuance exploited to maximum musical effect.'

CD Spotlight. Great Sensuality - Caroline Howald's Ensemble Isabella d'Este impresses Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are overflowing with impassioned commitment ...'

CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - William Christie's Les Arts Florissants, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... each piece comes to life with inimitable charm and grace.'

Ensemble. Transcendental Dawn - Handel's 'Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno' impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Frustratingly Patchy - Charpentier's 'Louise', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Musical Gallimaufry - Ivan Ilic plays Scriabin and American music, heard by Howard Smith. '... eight tracks of acceptable Scriabin ...'

Ensemble. A Real Joy - 'Le Ventre de Paris', praised by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. An Unusual Reading - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences an icy Paris/Milan production of Monteverdi's 'L'incoronazione di Poppea'

Bold Eccentricities - Meyerbeer and the Development of Parisian Grand Opera, by George Colerick

Ensemble. Passionate Tones - La bohème in HD from The Met, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Interesting Idea - Opera North's 'From Paris with Love', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Jupiter's Thunderbolt - Lully's Phaéton, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... brimful of the most varied enchantments.'

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

DVD Spotlight. Gallic to Teutonic - Opera Australia's 'La bohème', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Park is suitably distraught ...'

Ensemble. First Class - San Francisco Opera's film of Puccini's 'La bohème', seen by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Blended Voices - La bohème at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Innumerable Delights - Rubinstein plays Chopin, heard by Robert Anderson. '... recordings of remarkable consistency ...'

Ensemble. Time is a Strange Thing - Teatro Real, Paris Opéra and La Scala join forces for the centenary of 'Der Rosenkavalier', reported by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

DVD Spotlight. Refined Qualities - Minkus' 'Don Quijote' from the Ballet Nacional de Cuba impresses Gerald Fenech. '... gorgeous sound and visuals.'

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

Ensemble. Emotional Awakening - More from the Buxton Festival, with Mike Wheeler

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

CD Spotlight. Compelling and Pleasurable - Arthur Friedheim plays Liszt, Chopin, Gottschalk and Henselt, heard by Patric Standford. '... a slightly improvisatory interpretation ...'

Ensemble. Exotic Soundscapes - Two London concerts featuring music from the opera to the orient, attended by Malcolm Miller

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

Ensemble. Highly Atmospheric - Massenet's 'Werther', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Truly Beautiful - Gounod's 'Faust' at San Diego Opera delights 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. A Wonderful Rendition - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

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

CD Spotlight. A Magnificent Celebration - Three Rodrigo guitar concertos, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'Alfonso Moreno is a superb protagonist, technically impeccable ...'

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

Ensemble. Unmistakably French - 'Les Nuits d'Eté', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi from Rome's Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Ensemble. Eros versus Thanatos - 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in Paris, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Mediterranean Splendour - Dancing to Bizet's 'L'Arlésienne' and 'Carmen', by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Compelling Magnetism - Elena Kuschnerova plays Musorgsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... superbly evocative ...'

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

DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'

Ensemble. Beautifully Wrought - Wagner's 'Tannhäuser' at Covent Garden, by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. A Noteworthy Introduction - Music by Stravinsky for violin and piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... refreshing naturalness ...'

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

Ensemble. Lively and Fluent - 'Orpheus in the Underworld' at London's Royal College of Music, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Confidently Entertaining - A recital by John Paul Ekins delights Bill Newman

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

Utterly Compelling - Jon Gillock's 'Performing Messiaen's Organ Music: 66 Masterclasses', read by Tom Corfield

Ensemble. A Memorable Night - The Israel Camerata Orchestra Jerusalem, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

Profile. Two Americans in Paris - Maria Nockin talks to Vivica Genaux and Lawrence Brownlee

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

DVD Spotlight. Forthright Tempos - The Wihan Quartet plays Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... little to truly set their work apart ...'

CD Spotlight. Ready to Oblige - Music by Beethoven?, reviewed favourably by Robert Anderson. '... the pleasure of unfamiliar music and fine performances.'

CD Spotlight. A Worthy Introduction - Song cycles and chamber music by Gareth Walters, heard by Patric Standford. '... deserves a firm place in the CD library.'

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

CD Spotlight. Enviable Ease - Irena Portenko plays Chopin, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... easy fluidity of touch and tone ...'

Profile. Finding the Right Voice - Maria Nockin talks to American composer Daniel Catán

Ensemble. Rather Quirky - Massenet's 'Manon' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Playing Rameau - Interpretations by Stephen Gutman, recommended by George Balcombe. '... not a million miles away from jazz.'

Ensemble. Special Praise - Bizet's 'Carmen' at Kentish Opera, enjoyed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. An Excellent Staging - 'Madama Butterfly' at Rome's Teatro dell'Opera, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

DVD Spotlight. A Little Wizardry - Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... the playing is stylish and alert throughout.'

Ensemble. Hilariously Funny - Arizona Opera's 'The Barber of Seville', appreciated by Maria Nockin

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

Ensemble. A Sensitive Account - Choral music by Rossini, Elgar and Handel, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Seldom Performed - 'Lulu' lands at La Scala, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Consummate Skill - 'Hamlet' by Ambroise Thomas, heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Powerful Beauty - Works by Fauré for Cello and Piano, recommended by George Balcombe. '... a profoundly moving sound ...'

Ensemble. An Excellent Performance - Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

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

Ensemble. A True Dynamo - Lawrence Budmen listens to French conductor Ludovic Morlot, in concert with Jennifer Koh and the New World Symphony

Ensemble. A Bouquet of Bohèmes - Maria Nockin reviews one opera at two different venues

Ensemble. A Bombshell - Carmen at the movies, by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'

CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'

Ensemble. Compelling Vocal Drama - Lawrence Budmen listens to Measha Brueggergosman and the New World Symphony

Ensemble. Style and Drama - Gluck's 'Alceste', heard by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Mice in the Manger - A selection of Christmas music, enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... an amazing collection.'

Ensemble. Much Praise - 'Orpheus in the Underworld' from Kentish Opera, reviewed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. A Sizzling Rendition - 'Carmen' from Phoenix Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Vivid and Enlivening - Donizetti's 'Maria di Rohan', reviewed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Splendidly Performed - Baroque music for cello, recommended by Howard Smith. 'An exemplary CD ...'

Ensemble. A Gala Atmosphere - Maria Nockin reports from Los Angeles Opera's opening night 'L'Elisir d'amore'

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

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. A Purposeful Vigour - Symphonies by Albéric Magnard impress Patric Standford. '... a notable symphonic architect.'

Ensemble. An Immensely Successful Event - Thomas Bielinski reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2009

Ensemble. Dramatic Essentials - 'Carmen' from Paris, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Another Treat - Martinu's 'Mirandolina' at Garsington Opera, by Roderic Dunnett

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

Ensemble. Student Life and Love - Puccini's 'La bohème' from Kentish Opera, enjoyed by Pippa Hare

CD Spotlight. Expressive Beauty - Chamber music by Marjan Mozetich, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... "Hymn of Ascension" stood out for its power and cogency.'

Ensemble. Ringing Intensity - 'Madama Butterfly' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Sometimes Impressive - Bellini's 'Norma' from English Touring Opera, heard by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'

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

A Stressful Collaboration - Gerard Schurmann describes his involvement with the music score for 'Lawrence of Arabia'

Pure Fashion? - Several Composers in Search of an Identity, by Béla Hartmann

CD Spotlight. Engagingly Heartening - Choral and orchestral music by Arthur Honegger, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... strikingly performed by Welsh forces ...'

CD Spotlight. Dancing Goblins - Music by Bazzini, heard by Howard Smith. '... Hanslip brings it off with suitable aplomb.'

Ensemble. Very Convincing - Handel's 'Partenope', enjoyed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Consummate Mastery - Zeynep Ucbasaran plays Mozart, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an art of crystalline clarity.'

CD Spotlight. Lovingly Accomplished - Forgotten music by Saint-Saëns, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a performance of avowed committment.'

Artful Phrasing - 'La bohème' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Richly Creative - Orchestral music by Bechara El-Khoury, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a valuable addition ...'

DVD Spotlight. Major Delights - Rossini's 'Il Viaggio a Reims' entertains Robert Anderson. '... an evening of pure champagne.'

The Wandering Traveller - Kelly Ferjutz delves further into Richard Wagner and the forthcoming symposium in Ohio

Ensemble. Robust and Vigorous - Saint-Saëns' 'Samson and Delilah', reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. A Memorable Experience - 'Fedora', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Giordano's wishes were admirably followed ...'

Ensemble. Clarity and Honesty - Malcolm Troup's recital at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Julian Jacobson

Record Box. Vibrant Presentation - A worthy memorial to William Ferris, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Strong and Appealing - Poulenc's 'La voix humaine' at Opera North, reviewed by Patric Standford

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

CD Spotlight. Superbly Measured - Music by Haskell Small and Mussorgsky, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... indisputably fine pianism ...'

Ensemble. Shimmering Harmonies - San Diego Opera's 'Carmen' delighted Maria Nockin

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

DVD Spotlight. Chill lyricism - Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Vello Pähn and the orchestra make a marvellous thing of Prokofiev's score ...'

DVD Spotlight. Radiant and subtle - Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Renée Fleming ... (sang) like an angel throughout ...'

Cathy Berberian - Never knowingly misunderstood - Jennifer Paull questions the focus of the lens of musical history

DVD Spotlight. A Parisian disco? - Rameau's 'Les Indes galantes', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Les Arts Florissants would triumph in any location.'

CD Spotlight. Great sensitivity - Music for wind instruments by Karel Husa, recommended by Patric Standford. '... delightful discoveries, highly recommended.'

Ensemble. Winds of change - Malcolm Miller applauds a new work by Richard Dubugnon premièred by the Haffner Wind Ensemble and Min-Jung Kym

Ensemble. Wonderfully stylish - Offenbach in Paris, appreciated by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Prophetic merit - Thomas Hampson sings Mahler's 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn', appreciated by Tess Crebbin. '... a stunning visual and auditory experience.'

CD Spotlight. Adventurer and virtuoso - Rosemary Tuck plays the Celtic Fantasies of Vincent Wallace, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... splendid performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Thrilling virtuosity - Organ music by Vierne and Alain, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... James Lancelot shows throughout how effectively he can command the grand Romantic gesture.'

Reminiscent retrospectives - Musical language, with Jennifer Paull

Record Box - Naked Power - the organ roars, with Basil Ramsey