Vittorio Grigolo's The Italian Tenor
Since his death in 2007, opera fans and media around the world have continued to speculate who might be "the next Pavarotti." The prospect remains enticing for many hoping to see another great,...
View ArticleFrom the Vaults: George Jellinek Pays Tribute to Pavarotti and Freni
A trip into the WQXR archives brings us a 2000 episode of The Vocal Scene in which the late host George Jellinek pays tribute to opera's great on-stage power couple: Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella...
View ArticleBeyond 'Les Miz': Three Operas Based on Victor Hugo Novels
Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is considered to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. The 1985 musical theater version of Les Misérables – aka "Les Miz" – was one of the longest running...
View ArticleTop Five Google Doodles on a Classical Theme
We have a sneaking suspicion that there are a number of classical music and opera fans at Google. Over the past several years, the company has left a melodious trail of breadcrumbs in television...
View ArticleThe Vocal Scene with George Jellinek: Danceable Opera
George Jellinek explores various dance forms in operatic song. Hear opera's great voices including Beverly Sills, Bidu Sayao, Placido Domingo and Nicolai Gedda in the minuet, polonaise, waltz, gallop,...
View ArticleWatch: 5 Opera Gems from the AP's Huge New YouTube Archive
Last month, the Associated Press uploaded more than 550,000 video clips onto YouTube – covering news events dating back to 1895 – which the news organization said amounts to the largest collection of...
View ArticleWhat's an Opera?
This week, Naomi Lewin introduces the type of musical theater known as opera, in which all words are sung. Opera singers do not use microphones — their voices are trained, and can fill a whole theater...
View Article5 Versions of 'Nessun Dorma' that Went Viral
Even before Luciano Pavarotti sang it in front of thousands at the 1990 World Cup, Puccini’s aria "Nessun dorma," an impassioned call to stay awake from the opera Turandot has been one of the most...
View ArticleClassical Clicks: Pavarotti Estate Dumps Trump
The widow of Luciano Pavarotti, who celebrated values of "brotherhood and solidarity" in his career, has told Donald Trump’s campaign to stop using his recording of “Nessun dorma” at rallies....
View ArticleRon Howard Is Directing a Pavarotti Documentary
Earlier this month, the internet learned that Ron Howard will be directing an official Luciano Pavarotti documentary. Howard is no stranger to biopics and documentaries; the famed actor and filmmaker...
View Article10 Years After: Looking at Luciano Pavarotti's Evolution as an Artist
Luciano Pavarotti died on Sept. 6, 2007, and is much missed even though, 10 years on, he still seems to be with us in so many ways. His recordings and videos of live performances sit on the shelves of...
View ArticleFrom the World Cup to the World: How "Nessun Dorma" Became a Pop Culture Hit
In 1990, several hits could make the case for Song of the Summer: “Cradle of Love,” “Unbelievable,” “Step by Step.” But 1990 was a World Cup year — and for a moment, it was a Puccini aria that reigned...
View ArticleDreaming of Your Carnegie Hall Debut? Here’s What the Critics Will Say
Carnegie Hall debuts are a big deal. All the greats have sung at this storied hall — and on October 17th, soprano Angel Blue joins their ranks when she performs a concert of Walt Whitman–inspired...
View Article20 Artists We Lost in 2018
The end of the year prompts us all to reflect on the events that have shaped our lives over the past 12 months. While there have been some triumphs and disasters — and the occasional funny moment —...
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