Table Of Contents: December 2012

HAIL TO THE QUEEN! SUSAN GRAHAM SINGS DIDON IN LES TROYENS AT THE MET

Vol. 77, No. 6

• Boys' Club: Friendship in the Operas of Verdi
• Lady Sings the Blues: Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera
• The Shifting Landscape of La Scala
• Reunion: Susan Larson
• A New Ballo at the Met
• Sound Bites: René Barbera
• Trevor Pinnock conducts Don Giovanni at HGO

Features

Reunion: Susan Larson

FRED COHN catches up with the iconoclastic soprano whose spirit of adventure made her a perfect fit for Peter Sellars's groundbreaking reexaminations of the opera canon.

Unlucky Lady

Amelia Anckarström may have no counterpart in history, but as Italian opera heroines go, she's the real deal. PATRICK DILLON looks at what it takes to bring this volatile lady to life.

Pinnock's Passage

Subscribers Only

A lifetime of experience in the pit has taught Trevor Pinnock that there are more questions than answers. The British-born early-music maestro discusses his wide-ranging musical peregrinations with DAVID PATRICK STEARNS.

Life, Continued

Susan Graham, Didon in the Met revival of Les Troyens, speaks to WILLIAM R. BRAUN about the overwhelming changes in her life during the past decade of stardom.

Buddy Stories

Subscribers Only

Platonic male friendship rarely takes center stage in the passionate plots of opera, but two Verdi masterpieces, Don Carlo and Un Ballo in Maschera, share that surprisingly powerful theme. CONRAD L. OSBORNE explores the similarities.

House Inspection

Subscribers Only

Whither La Scala? As Milan's great opera house prepares to open its season, HARVEY SACHS takes a look at the theater's troubled history and uncertain future.

Departments

Recordings

In Review

Books

A study of Ravel by Michael J. Puri; Darsky’s Chaliapin bio is a labor of love.

Viewpoint: Mademoiselle America

Subscribers Only

by F. PAUL DRISCOLL

OperaWatch

by OUSSAMA ZAHR

Metropolitan Opera Opening Night
The cast and creative team of L’Elisir d’Amore — from left, Bartlett Sher, Ambrogio Maestri, Anne-Carolyn Bird, Mariusz Kwiecien, Maurizio Benini, Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani — wave to plazacast attendees from the Grand Tier balcony
© Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012