In the UK, classical music, and opera in particular, is seen as “the most elitist” of all the arts. Myths and perceptions surrounding opera – that it is expensive, intellectual, foreign, requires dressing up in formal clothes to attend, and

As an homage to their long-time designer Nikos S. Petropoulos, Greek National Opera staged a revival of his 1998 Tosca. Set in 1944 Rome, the opera opened as if it were a film, with the opening credits running on a

It has become increasingly rare to hear Krystian Zimerman live – and to listen to him in person is always something to remember. This winter in Japan, Zimerman ventured into a rather experimental programme, featuring Schubert Impromptus Op. 90, Debussy

Nine Piano Pieces for the Right Hand Alone for advanced pianists by Béla Hartmann In piano literature, works for the left hand alone have a more familiar history—often born of necessity after injury. Paul Wittgenstein, for example, famously commissioned left-hand

November 14 saw a world premiere at San Francisco Opera: Huang Ruo’s The Monkey King, with a libretto by David Henry Hwang, based on Journey to the West, 16th-century multi-volume epic attributed to Wu Cheng’en. Running through November 30, with

Award shows have long perfected the art of preaching to the converted. Year after year, they gather the most devoted insiders to celebrate their achievements, affirm shared values, and rehearse familiar narratives about excellence, innovation, or social responsibility. The result

Greek National Opera, housed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, was host to the 2025 International Opera Awards in November. What was wonderful was its overview of the entire world of opera – not only in Europe but also

Ping Pong Gintonería welcomes violinist Abylay Nurlybek for The Odyssey, Book VIII, a solo recital taking place on November 27th, that brings Homer’s timeless epic into dialogue with music. Abylay Nurlybek is an award winning musician whose training spans the