Performer: Susan Graham

A concert spanning the American opera composer’s career, features better known selections alongside more rarely heard arias and excerpts from six different works.

The Metropolitan Opera makes good on its promise to present more contemporary work, opening the season with Jake Heggie's gut wrenching tale of rage and redemption. 

This was astonishing and gripping vocalism from a true master of Berlioz style.

Susan Graham had all the fun every mezzo-soprano witch, who can sing the role and disguise herself – when necessary – to look the part, deserves. 

Mahler for beginners? Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra provide exemplary clarity and understanding of structure, but don't hit one in the chest in the way the Third can.

Playing Mahler’s Third Symphony was also meant to be an homage to Leonard Bernstein, one of the great interpreters of Mahler’s music, born 100 years ago this week.

The background to Berlioz' great song cycle Les Nuits d’été with a musical analysis and playlist