Inside the score

Listen Closer: Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2

Before becoming a piano icon, Chopin composed his Piano Concerto No. 2—a work that reveals his emerging style. A perfect listening key to understand how Chopin balanced dazzling technique, lyrical expression, and his rare approach to orchestration.

By Alix Haywood

Reading time estimated : 4min read

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…

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.

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!,…

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…

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.

By Editorial Team

Reading time estimated : 6min read

Listen Closer: Bizet’s Carmen

Premiered on March 3, 1875 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, Carmen would become Georges Bizet’s most celebrated work. Among its unforgettable melodies, L’amour est un oiseau rebelle stands out, revealing…

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…

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.

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…

By Paul Kilbey

Reading time estimated : 3min read