Table Of Contents: February 2013

THE RHYTHM OF LIFE: ANTONIO PAPPANO CELEBRATES TEN YEARS AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF COVENT GARDEN

Vol. 77, No. 8

• Parallel Lives: Garry Wills on Rigoletto and King Lear
• Tony-Winner Michael Mayer Makes his Met Debut
• Conductor Rising: Jayce Ogren at NYCO
• Sound Bites: David Pershall
• Listener of Note: Barbara Barrie
• A New Rigoletto at the Met

Features

A Trip to the Argentine

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The exhilarating music of Fernando Otero emerges from a post-Piazzolla intersection of tango and classical sounds. BRIAN KELLOW speaks with the Argentine composer–pianist about his heartfelt new CD, Romance — in part, a tribute to his late mother, the well-known singer–actress Elsa Marval.

A Gift of Song

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BRIAN KELLOW chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts, who this month curates a program of song for New York Festival of Song's "NYFOS Next" series.

Conducting Energy

Jayce Ogren has been a consistent bright spot during the dark days of New York City Opera's retrenchment. WILLIAM R. BRAUN talks to the up-and-coming maestro about his ability to accentuate the positive in the face of so many daunting challenges.

Shadow of a King

Verdi's dream of setting King Lear never came to fruition, but the Shakespearean dimensions of the troubled father–daughter relationship he created in Rigoletto give opera-lovers a pretty good idea of what the composer might have done with the Bard's great tragedy. GARRY WILLS traces the connection.

What Happens in Mantua Stays in Mantua

What do Vegas and Verdi have in common? More than you might think. Michael Mayer, director of the Met's new Rigoletto, sees the seductive charm and corrupt core of America's gambling paradise as a modern-day counterpart to the chiaroscuro dazzle and decadence of sixteenth-century Mantua. ROB WEINERT-KENDT reports.

Balancing Act

Running the Royal Opera House isn't easy, but Antonio Pappano has done it for the past ten years with style and grace. The popular music director sits down with JESSICA DUCHEN to take stock of his tenure and share his insights on Wagner, Verdi and the resistance confronting high culture in Britain today.

Departments

Recordings

In Review

Books

Conversations with Thomas Adès; Donna Leon's new novel features Venice, opera and mystery.

Viewpoint: A Touch of the Poet

by F. PAUL DRISCOLL

Year With the Queen Drama Queens Cover 113

A Year With the Queens

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F. PAUL DRISCOLL speaks with Joyce DiDonato about how Donizetti's Mary Stuart fits into the bel canto canon and the year-long preparation behind her thrilling new album of baroque rarities, Drama Queens.