Blog
Lev Sibiriyakov, Russian Bass-Baritone
June 3, 2021There are some voices that you hear, even in very early recordings, and you know that the artist is special. Sibiryakov... Read More
Maria Olszewska, Contralto
May 27, 2021I do not think that Olszewska was a contralto, much in the same way that I don't think that Marian Anderson... Read More
Francis Poulenc-mélodies chantées par Régine Crespin
May 23, 2021This posting is of several works by Francis Poulenc, the French composer. The first is a famous poem by Louis Aragon.... Read More
Giovanni Martinelli, spinto tenor
May 18, 2021Giovanni Martinelli, October 22, 1885 to February 2, 1969, for many years the Metropolitan Opera's leading dramatic tenor, and one of... Read More
Titta Ruffo, Baritone, Enrico Caruso, Tenor
April 18, 2021Tittu Ruffo, born Ruffo Cariera Tatta, was one of the top baritones of the early twentieth century. He had a powerful,... Read More
John McCormack, Lyric Tenor
April 15, 2021John McCormack was a very special singer. He himself admitted that he was no actor, and opera critics agreed with that... Read More
Heddle Nash, light lyric tenor, sings Händel
April 12, 2021When I was just out of graduate school, I used to spend hours listening to classical music with my friend Martin.... Read More
Mozart, Don Giovanni, K 527, Furtwängler(c)
April 8, 2021I am only going to say a few things about this performance. It is the best Don Giovanni that I have... Read More
Charles Panzéra, Swiss Baritone
March 28, 2021Charles Panzéra was the leading baritone exponent of French song between the wars. French song in French is called mélodie. He... Read More
Die Walküre Act III – Leb’ wohl, Alexander Kipnis (Wotan), Leo Blech, Die Staatskapelle Orchestra Berlin (c)
March 25, 2021I am not done with Die Walkürie yet. I honestly believe, even given all my hesitation about Wagner, that the aria... Read More
