Inside the score

Opera’s Greatest Villains

For more than four centuries, opera has captivated audiences with a combination of stirring music, dazzling sets and costumes, and gripping drama. From ancient Rome to Catfish Row, we celebrate some of the greatest villains ever to grace the operatic stage.

By Andrew McIntyre

Reading time estimated : 13min read

Notes from History: Don Giovanni Premieres

When Don Giovanni premiered in Prague on October 29, 1787, audiences were both thrilled and unsettled. Mozart and his librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte blurred the line between comedy and tragedy,…

By Paul Kilbey

Reading time estimated : 3min read

Gould’s Goldberg Variations: The Legacy of a Legend

Glenn Gould’s legendary Goldberg Variations are a rare blend of playful invention and utter precision. Discover the genius behind them, as filmmaker Bruno Monsaingeon recalls intimate studio moments and pianist…

By Charlotte Gardner

Reading time estimated : 10min read

How Kaija Saariaho Changed the Way We Hear Music

What happens when your understanding of music turns upside down? Discover how Kaija Saariaho created a musical language that blends Spectralism with acoustic experimentation—and reshaped my entire perspective on sound.

By Nadya Miryanova

Reading time estimated : 6min read

Do Orchestras Still Sound Different?

Once upon a time, you could tell where an orchestra came from just by listening. German orchestras sounded rich and heavy; French ones, bright and biting; American ones, sleek and…

By Andrew Mellor

Reading time estimated : 18min read

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Composer for the people

Ralph Vaughan Williams believed music should belong to everyone. Jack Pepper opens his new Pepper’s Portraits series with the story of a composer who lived — and wrote — for…

By Jack Pepper

Reading time estimated : 10min read

Tracing the journey of Chopin in Paris: 5 iconic locations that marked the life (and death) of the great composer.

Frédéric Chopin, a central figure in the romantic musical world of Paris. From the Salons Pleyel to the Nouvelle Athènes neighbourhood, follow the path of a legendary 19th-century composer through…

By Clément Serrano

Reading time estimated : 10min read

A Pianist’s Guide to Chopin’s Forms: Nocturnes, Mazurkas, and Beyond

Explore Chopin’s main piano forms. From dreamy Nocturnes to heroic Polonaises, discover how Chopin reinvented every musical genre he touched — and how today’s pianists keep that spirit alive on…

By Ben Laude

Reading time estimated : 9min read

From Menuhin to Yunchan Lim: How Legendary Performances Are Captured on Film

Legendary musical films aren’t just about virtuosity—they’re about timing, intimacy, trust, and the unique alchemy between artist, director, and moment. This journey through the archives explores why some performances transcend…

By Charlotte Gardner

Reading time estimated : 14min read

A Grand Voice, A Bold Life: 10 Jessye Norman Highlights

Opera superstar, political activist, and master storyteller—Jessye Norman’s life overflowed with surprises. This week marks her birthday, and we’re honoring her legacy with ten irresistible tidbits to remember her by.

By Alix Haywood

Reading time estimated : 5min read