Visitors to Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region typically visit Modena, home of the famous balsamic vinegar; or Parma, the source of the prized prosciutto and parmigiano-reggiano cheese; or Bologna, a famed “culinary capital” of Italy. But these are big cities by our standards. These foods are readily available throughout the region, and venturing out in...

As the Metropolitan Opera re-emerged from its winter recess, it provided its audience with the pleasure of witnessing two contrasting Italian masterworks on stage. The Met’s fresh production of the somberly modern ‘La Forza del Destino’ by Mariusz Treliński graced the stage, soon accompanied by Franco Zeffirelli’s lavishly traditional ‘Turandot.’ T...

The latest episode of  “Nuova York: Hidden in Plain Sight”, which is the sixth in the series, tells the story of Giuseppe Verdi, the great Italian opera composer, and his statue in Piazza Verdi (Verdi Square) in Manhattan. Stefano Albertini from NYU, recounts Verdi’s story and talks about his legacy – not just the musical one – and the beauty of Pi...

In a world where the universality of music transcends borders and languages, Symphony Tacoma embarks on an ambitious journey to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem. This event, set for February 24th, is not just a concert; it's a monumental homage to a piece that has vibrated through the halls of history, capturing the essen...

I was 15 when I went to my first Verdi opera, “Il Trovatore,” at the Met, the old Met, in 1964. I could barely figure out what was going on but didn’t care. Leontyne Price sang Leonora, and I was in awe of her plush, beautiful voice. The singing, the chorus, the orchestra, the emotional drama, the music with its mixture of soaring melody, intensity...

Would you care for some Puccini with that pasta? How about a little Rigoletto with your risotto? The concept of combining the sounds of opera with the tastes and smells of Italian cuisine was integral to the creation of the Verdi Chorus, which celebrates its 40th anniversary with a pair of concerts Nov. 18 and 19 in Santa Monica. Things have change...

New Jersey Lyric Opera’s year of debuts is shaping up to be monumental. With three new opera productions already under their belt, they will plunge headfirst into the busy fall season with three more. For founder and artistic director John Calkins, the midpoint marks an adventurous new phase in the company’s development that focuses on expansion. T...

Don’t miss Verdi’s Rigoletto October 27 & 29 at The Grand Opera House (4 S. Poplar St. Wilmington, DE). Verdi’s masterful Rigoletto is an opera in three acts that premiered in Venice on March 11, 1851. It was based on a controversial Victor Hugo piece known as “Le Roi s’amuse” which translates to “The King enjoys himself.” The story of the jester R...

Nestled amidst the serenity of Skyline Drive, Front Royal’s Italian gem, Osteria Maria, is set to blend the melodies of opera with the allure of authentic Italian gastronomy. On August 31 and September 1st, 2023, as the evening beckons at 5:00 pm, patrons are invited to partake in an unparalleled experience with the acclaimed opera, ‘La Traviata.’...

It’s time to celebrate summer with a picnic basket, blanket, a libation, and lawn chairs (low profile, of course) and then head to the park where you can hear live classical music for free. That’s right – free! Portland’s annual Opera in the Park will take place in Washington Park on Sunday, Aug. 13, with a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto...