DISCUSSION: John Dante Prevedini leads a discussion about Classical Music and Politics, including contributions from Béla Hartmann and James Ross.
PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
American TV and film director Gary Halvorson trained as a pianist, and has directed a series of high-definition theatre simulcasts for New York Metropolitan Opera. He is also known outside of the classical music world for his work on various popular TV shows and films.
Ensemble. Intelligence and Beauty of Tone - Maria Nockin experiences Puccini's 'The Girl of the Golden West' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera
Ensemble. Myriad Nuances of Color - Verdi's 'Aida' in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Appealing and Dramatic - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Traditional Settings - Puccini's 'Tosca' in high definition at New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Joy to Hear - Richard Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier', the last of this season's Live in HD broadcasts from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Authentic Performance - Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Spectacular Show - Charles Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet' live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Somewhat Heavy-handed - Donizetti's 'Roberto Devereux', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Fine Show - Madama Butterfly live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin
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
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. Truly Exquisite - Mozart's Così fan tutte, live in high definition from New York, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Poignant Heroine - Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Big Voices - Verdi's 'Aida', live in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Elegant as well as Functional - Thomas Adès' 'The Tempest' live in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Opulent Tone - Anna Netrebko in Donizetti's 'L'elisir d'amore' live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin
DVD Spotlight. Charming and Fascinating - Rossini's 'Le Comte Ory', recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Joyce DiDonato, as Ory's promiscuous young page Isolier, is absolutely irrepressible ...'
Ensemble. Relatively Coarse - Verdi's 'La traviata' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Fine Representation - Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' at New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Complete Delight - Wagner's 'Die Walküre' at New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed in HD from Arizona by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Rapturous Beauty - Richard Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Total Concentration - Juan Diego Flórez sings Rossini's 'Le Comte Ory', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Stunning Artistry - New York Metropolitan Opera's Verdi's 'Don Carlo' transmission, seen and heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Comedic Talents - Metropolitan Opera's 'Don Pasquale', live and in HD at the movies, by Maria Nockin