Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), the second-oldest child of the court musician and tenor singer Johann van Beethoven, was born in Bonn. Ludwig’s father drilled him thoroughly with the ambition of showcasing him as a child prodigy.
Verdi’s Il Trovatore remains one of the most popular operas of all time, but it walks a fine line between tragedy and farce. Find out who threw which baby into the fire in this production from the Maggio Musicale in Florence, Italy. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
The new opera, based on Roald Dahl’s ever-popular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was meant to bring families into the opera house. But the premiere under way now at Opera Theatre of St. Louis did not have a sweet ride from conception to opening night. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Musicians at the 2010 Spoleto Festival U.S.A. bring out the “Gypsy” in Haydn and Brahms. The newly renovated Dock Street Theater in Charleston, S.C., plays host to Gypsy-inspired sounds from Haydn and Brahms at the 2010 Spoleto Festival USA. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Chinese pianist Yundi Li recently shortened his stage name to “Yundi.” But it may not have been necessary: The young musician has already achieved superstardom in his homeland. In this session from WNYC, he plays two Chopin nocturnes. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
After Dvořák, Smetana and Janaček, Bohuslav Martinů continued the long and distinguished line of Czech opera composers. Characters both sacred and profane struggle for supremacy in Martinů’s unique stage drama, inspired by the medieval tradition of mystery and miracle Plays. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Monkey See chats about Renee Fleming’s pop/rock project with a little help from the classical department at NPR Music. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Some of the most profound, beautiful moments in classical music are spoken softly. To mark the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s birth, commentator Rob Kapilow takes a look at “Träumerei,”one of Schumann’s most quiet, introspective pieces. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Pianist Murray Perahia joins the celebration of Schumann’s 200th with a discussion Kinderszenen, the composer’s imaginative depiction of childhood. With Performance Today’s Fred Child, Perahia offers his own interpretation of the work and plays a few choice selections. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Schumann’s gangbusters work ethic results in some of the best material for music festivals. Hear his dynamic Piano Quintet in E-flat from the Montreal Chamber Music Festival. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us