So Silvio Berlusconi has finally stepped down. Recently, Alex Ross wrote about the indifference of the Berlusconi government to supporting the arts in Italy. (1) Ross also makes reference to the unprecedented action by Riccardo Muti, conducting Nabucco halted the performance and spoke to the audience about the situation. The response from both the chorus and the…
Some years ago I attended a concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus. Sopranos Montserrat Caballe and her Callas look-alike daughter Monserrat Marti gave a superb rendition of solos and duets for female voices. The hall was packed; the audience brought them out – and they graciously obliged – for three encores. On the premise that one good…
Matthew Westwood previews opera Australia’s upcoming production. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/american-dreams/story-e6frg8n6-1226089024397