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His Journey: An Interview With Jake Heggie
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

His Journey: An Interview With Jake Heggie

All in all, 2023 is turning out to be quite the Year of Jake Heggie, the acclaimed classical composer. He told me (and now you!) all about his journey to classical, Dead Man Walking, why he’s drawn to write for mezzo-sopranos, and more! Read on.

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Met Opera 2023-24 Radio Review: Dead Man Walking
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

Met Opera 2023-24 Radio Review: Dead Man Walking

When Dead Man Walking premiered in 2000, the Met avoided modern like the plague. Now, at last, DMW is at the Met. There’s no question that it is an emotionally harrowing work. There’s also no question that audiences love this beautiful wringer.

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My 2023-24 Resolutions
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

My 2023-24 Resolutions

What do I want out of this season?

I made a list of my 2023-24 season resolutions, my own operatic version of New Year’s. Here they are, plus my basic wish to have a good time at extraordinary operas. What are your resolutions?

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Met Opera 2023-24 Review: Lise Davidsen in Recital
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Met Opera 2023-24 Review: Lise Davidsen in Recital

What better way to welcome the new season than with a smashing, double-encore, spine-tingling recital from La Davidsen? Lise is the Queen of Opera. Call her the new Callas, Nilsson, Flagstad, as you like it, but she’s really the one and only Lise.

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Opera and Ukraine: Soldiers of Music
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Opera and Ukraine: Soldiers of Music

Even after 32 years as a free nation, the people of Ukraine are still fighting to keep their liberty. A crucial part of the war is Ukraine’s battle to preserve and celebrate the culture that Russia seeks to annihilate.

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Cinematic Adventures: Il Trovatore (2010-11)
Violette Leonard Violette Leonard

Cinematic Adventures: Il Trovatore (2010-11)

Every summer, the Met tries to ease our cravings with four HD cinema broadcasts from seasons past. I haven’t been to the cinema since COVID struck, but the idea of Verdi’s riveting Trovatore was too much to resist.

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