Music

Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.”.  For those who have classical music fused into their everyday lives, it is hard to imagine a life without its [...]

Temperamental.  Showmanship. Resilient.  Impactful.  These are words often associated with the Baroque titan George Frederic Handel.  In musical terms, his oeuvre consists of many operas and [...]

Opera is an art form experiencing a huge paradigm shift.  Whilst the glamour and pomp of leading institutions like the Royal Opera House remain a bastion of the industry,  contemporary takes have [...]

The Proms is a landmark event with a mixed image.  It’s grand status as a bastion of classical music events, is overshadowed by perceptions of an ageing audience, and a prejudice of being too [...]

Operatic casting agent Sarah Playfair sat down with the Cultural Aficionado and shares her thoughts, motivations, and the enduring appeal that led her to a career in the world of Opera.   [...]

On a sunny July afternoon, a visit to the Southbank Centre, or Royal Festival Hall, and a chance to submerge myself in Angels, Demons, Tragedy and Death… Just the way to spend a happy summers [...]

Opera cast its powerful spell over Rupert Christiansen as a young boy, and ever since he has navigated across a spectrum of productions.  He shares his perspectives on opera, and what it’s [...]

Jack Furness has been working in and around Opera for many years.  Here, he shares his thoughts on his own place in the operatic world, and whats on the horizon for this ever-evolving industry. [...]

Opera entrepreneur Lucy Woodruff provides her insights on why she created her Divas & Scholars project, and how opera-newbies can best penetrate this dazzling yet mystifying world.   [...]