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One of the greatest launching pads for an opera singer’s career, the Neue Stimmen once again proves its ability to attract the best operatic talents the world has to offer. 

After a few streamed events with chamber forces, the full orchestra and chorus returned to the House – albeit not in their usual positions – for an entertaining fundraising gala.

As part of its Schubert Festival, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal wowed the audience with a concert that featured excerpts from Rossini operas as well as two Schubert symphonies.

Xiaoxuan Li and Eva Gevorgyan, winners of the 2018 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists, came back to Cleveland for an evening of virtuosic showpieces.

Received wisdom says “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings”. In the case of a Leo Nucci recital, it ain’t over till the Italian baritone’s sung “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata”.

Operalia is a curious beast among voice competitions. Step onto the stage, belt out your aria and, before you’ve barely had time to acknowledge the applause, the next contestant shuffles along the conveyor belt. A one-shot saloon. 

When I heard that Nathan Gunn was opening Washington National Opera’s 2012-13 season Celebrity Series, I could not be more excited. Indeed, this American baritone, known in the musical world as “the opera divo”, represents everything that today’s opera fans look for in a singer: a beautiful voice, first-class acting, an appealing physique and of course, a great sense of humor.

The Montreal International Musical Competition, this year devoted to voice, ended on a high note with the Winners’ Gala Concert on June 8. First, Second and Third Prize winners sang two arias each, but, in a gratifying show of solidarity with the remaining finalists, the program afforded concertgoers the opportunity to hear the five runners-up as well.