Janet Baker

Dame Janet Abbott Baker,(Janet Baker) is one of the best known English actress and perhaps the best representation of Dido from "Dido & Aneas".

Audition for ducks

Q: What would you pick as the perfect audition aria if you were a duck?

A: Vedrai Carino (Me think :P More suggestions?)

Anna Moffo the local

Anna Moffo went to Curtis Institute (Philadelphia) where all the students are already quite polished when accepted to study there. She has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, and she is so graceful on and off stage.

Philadelphia Orchestra+Struss + Karita Mattila

We were extremely lucky to be part of the Philadelphia Orchestra performance on Saturday and to be among the exciting audiences of your excellence Karita Mattila. We will be seeing ms.Mattila again this March, for her role in Tosca, directed by Luc Bondy. I tried to sketch really really quickly, and "quietly"... However, it isn't easy when you are sitting in the first row and literally, at he heel of the conductor Jiri Belohlavek, who's conducting was equally amazing.

Karita Mattila singing Strauss the last four songs

Audience

The Concert Master Mr.Kim

Mr. Jiří Bělohlávek the Conductor

Pop singers to Opera singers! -Continued:

I have to say though, it's a really interesting concept...Probably wouldn't work in US, sadly, because people entirely ignore classical music here.

New Recital Date!

Winter is still here :( Blazing wind even makes the pigeons shade their heads under their wings :( At least home is nice and warm, and the record player is still running the favorite sound !:)

Be ware, short ad

Can say I'm NOT excited about the new season of "So you think you can sing?"

Choir camp UMBRIAN SERENADES

"UMBRIAN SERENADES is a life-transforming choral program that brings together passionate singers from all over the U.S. who seek opportunities to perform exquisite a cappella repertoire within a small vocal chamber ensemble...." One of the founder, a great friend of ours who is an fabulous soprano, excellent vocal coach and a wonderful person, brings singers to Italy every summer for two weeks where the singers receive choir training and dine on the greatest taste of Italy ...

War on Carmen

Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Roberto Alagna's exciting presence as the soldier and Elina Garanca's flawless voice in the title role can't quite redeem this production.

Carmen, opera's favorite bad girl, is sexy, unpredictable and fascinating -- everything the Met's new production of Bizet's "Carmen" is not...Read more (ny post)

The excellent mezzo Elina Garanča played up Carmen's toughness. With her purring low range and free upper register, she sounded fabulous and brought out the character's visceral strength and independence, creating an indelible impression...Read more

Here's a version of Maria Ewin's Carmen I really, really enjoyed. (w sj)