Table Of Contents: November 2011

CHAMPION STATUS: JONAS KAUFMANN STAR OF THE MET'S NEW FAUST

Vol. 76, No. 5

• Are Faustian Bargains Still With Us?
• Family Ties: Siegmund, Siegfried and Wotan
• Heroic Quality: Tenor Gary Lehman
• The World Premiere of Silent Night in Minnesota
• Des McAnuff Stages the Met's New Faust
• Sound Bites: Luigi Boccia
• Farewell to Salvatore Licitra

Features

Life in the Faust Lane

Once, Gounod's Faust held an unassailable position in the world's opera houses. But what does it mean in today's world, with Faustian bargains all around us? DAVID J. BAKER wonders if we still give the devil his due.

Relaxed Power

Subscribers Only

Jonas Kaufmann is at the top of his game and enjoying his success — but he won't let anybody push him too fast or too far. What is it like to be everybody's favorite tenor? OUSSAMA ZAHR finds out.

The Sins of the Father

As the Met offers the latest installment in its new Ring cycle, MATTHEW GUREWITSCH looks at three generations of Wälsung family gods and men — Wotan, Siegmund and Siegfried.

A Leap of Faith

Minnesota Opera took a chance on composer Kevin Puts, whose first opera, Silent Night, has its world premiere in St. Paul this month. MICHAEL SLADE reports.

Dance with the Devil

DAVID COTE visits with Tony-winning director Des McAnuff, whose staging of Faust opens this month at the Met.

Everyday Hero

DAVID PATRICK STEARNS talks to the unflappable tenor Gary Lehman, who sings the title role in Robert Lepage's staging of Siegfried, presented this month as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Departments

Recordings

CRITIC'S CHOICE: Nino Machaidze sings an impressive debut recital. New recordings of The Turn of the Screw and Summer and Smoke; a starry Lucerne Fidelio; Gergiev, Dessay and Beczala join forces for a new Lucia; recitals from Kurzak, Piau and Kirchschlager; Orfeo releases a 1984 Queen of Spades. VIDEO: Macbeth and Dialogues des Carmélites from director Dmitri Tcherniakov; 2009 Met performances of Aida and Turandot; La Fura dels Baus produces a messy Troyens in Valencia.

In Review