Music

DF Reports on the 2026 Giargiari Competition at Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts (for Parterre Box)

A bumper crop of 16 young singers suggests that opera’s future is in good hands.

In two concerts with wide-ranging repertoire, Yannick and the Philadelphia Orchestra offer an opening week to celebrate.

This production, directed by Emma Griffin, is both a “how to” and a “how not to” stage an opera seria.

Don’t expect any sweeping statements from Franz Welser-Möst ‘s polished, if dramatically inert, Fidelio.

At Curtis Opera, a cast of superb young singers cast a spell with Britten‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Klaus Mäkelä unexpectedly joins the foray for The Cleveland Orchestra‘s performances of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.

At Opera Philadelphia, Gregory Spears’ opera both mystifies and enchants.

Mentored by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Curtis Symphony Orchestra proves themselves the equal of any major American orchestra.

Golda Schultz and Jonathan Ware present Dark Matter(s), an intriguing program of songs, at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

A dazzling but deeply moving Mahler 2nd suggests that busier is better for our beloved YNS!