How can you turn as gruesome a tale as Hansel and Gretel into an opera? How did Hansel and Gretel go from chilling folk tale to holiday classic and beloved opera? This enduring story owes as much to 19th-century German folklore as it does to Humperdinck’s musical imagination—and the forgotten contributions of storyteller Dortchen Wild. View author's page By Paul Kilbey Reading time estimated : 9min read
Notes from History: The opening of Carnegie Hall On May 5, 1891, Carnegie Hall opened its doors for the first time, Tchaikovsky ushering in a thriving new age of live music and public events in New York City. View author's page By Paul Kilbey Reading time estimated : 4min read
In good harmony: Mozart’s most famous operatic duets Mozart’s operatic duets capture the full spectrum of human emotion—love, betrayal, longing, and joy—through stunning musical interplay. From the seductive La ci darem la mano to the playful Papagena! Papageno!,… View author's page By Kim Hunter Reading time estimated : 6min read
Ravel’s challenges and obsessions Maurice Ravel was a composer who thrived on constraint. Far from hindering his creativity, self-imposed challenges became the fuel for his musical innovation. From the hypnotic rhythms of… View author's page By Karol Beffa Reading time estimated : 9min read
Maria Callas and her greatest rivals: Opera’s most legendary divas Explore the legendary rivalries of Maria Callas with Renata Tebaldi, Joan Sutherland, and more. Discover how these iconic sopranos shaped opera’s golden era. View author's page By Editorial Team Reading time estimated : 6min read
Listen Closer: Bizet’s Carmen Bizet’s Carmen is filled with memorable tunes, but L’amour est un oiseau rebelle deserves special attention. This aria reveals how Bizet combined simple melodies, exotic rhythms, and bold harmonies to… View author's page By Alix Haywood Reading time estimated : 4min read
What your favorite John Williams theme says about your classical music taste John Williams’ themes have shaped generations of film lovers, but they also reveal a lot about classical music tastes. Whether you’re drawn to the bold heroics of Indiana Jones, the… View author's page By Kim Hunter Reading time estimated : 11min read
Concert capturers: Bringing classical music to life on screen from the Opéra Garnier to the Philharmonie de Paris Camera and sound technicians talk to Charlotte Gardner about what it takes to translate a classical music performance onto screen. View author's page By Charlotte Gardner Reading time estimated : 7min read
Notes from History: Verdi’s Falstaff Premiere On February 9, 1893, Verdi’s Falstaff premiered at La Scala, Milan, turning into one of the year’s biggest cultural events. For the 79-year-old composer, it was both a bold return… View author's page By Paul Kilbey Reading time estimated : 3min read
Notes from History: Brahms’s First Piano Concerto Brahms’s First Piano Concerto was born from doubt, revision, and a rough premiere—but it became one of his greatest works. Here's the story behind its long road to greatness. View author's page By Paul Kilbey Reading time estimated : 4min read
