She started out singing with Callas
The American mezzo-soprano Patsy Okaya, a noted Carmen, has died in a Minnesota care home, aged 94. She gave this account of her career: … I studied voice at Northwestern University where I was hired […]
classical music
Star mezzo’s husband joins Russia propaganda unit
Youtube is hosting a Russian TV video featuring Mikhail Simonyan in occupied Ukraine, calling on more Russians to join the war. Simonyan is married to the Moscow mezzo Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, a world-class performer who is […]
Dear Alma, Help! My violin teacher wants to save my soul
From our agony aunt’s mailbox: Dear Alma I’m 21, at college doing pre-med. For recreation, I play the violin. I have a really good teacher and I have made huge progress this year. I can […]
Is this classical album even legal?
From the Lebrecht Album of the Week: Gypsy Melodies (La dolce volta) **** I am not sure if the title of this album is even legal in Britain and the US. These days we refer […]
International soprano returns to Gergiev’s Bolshoi
The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow has announced a gala concert on September 5, featuring the Tatar soprano Aida Garifullina. The Bolshoi website says: ‘The detailed programme is kept in secret and will be know just […]
Domingo mourns Pippo
The Spanish singer has posted this tribute to the late Italian television presenter, Pippo Baudo: Caro Pippo, thank you for accompanying us for so many years with your friendliness and great professionalism, entering the homes […]
Harpists shun Israel, shutting down major competition
The leading international harp competition, scheduled for December, has been shut down after only two contestants registered. It has not been specified whether the withdrawals were due to a Gaza-war boycott of Israel, or over […]
Youthful tragedy and transcendental mystery: Riccardo Muti & Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Schubert & Bruckner at Salzburg Festival
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo Muti – Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg Festival (Photo: SF/Marco Borelli) Schubert: Symphony No. 4 ‘Tragic’, Bruckner: Mass in F minor; Ying Fang, Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Pavol Breslik, William Thomas, Konzertvereinignung Wiener Staatopenchor, Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo […]
L’Itinéraire (4): Les Délices de l’Âme
Itinéraire baroque en Périgord 2025: L’Itinéraire: Les Délices de l’Âme Ensemble Amarine Belladiva (Zuzana Badáová, soprano; Michaela Ambrosi, transverse flute; Barbara Maria Willi, harpsichord). Rauzet Priory, Combiers, France, 02.08.2025 Michel de la Barre Suite IX: […]
Ruth Leon rrecommends… Dancing In The Dark – Steve Martin and Golda Radner
Do you remember when Saturday Night Live was still funny? I had forgotten and no longer bother to watch its endless succession of unfunny ‘celebrity’ hosts and unmusical musical guests. But my friend Adele reminded […]
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