This month's list of Australia's top 20 classical music albums.

A world premiere bringing wonderful new memories to classic Australian favourites.

We take a look at the rulers who brought musical talent into the palace. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $3 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Philippe Jaroussky manages the exquisite shift from Handel to Hahn. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $3 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

American tenor performs for the PM at NSW Kids in Need Foundation’s fundraising concert.

The British composer and conductor takes the reins from Roland Peelman after 25 years.

The British tenor is the quintessential lieder singer. He shares his cerebral approach to song with Maxim Boon. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $3 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

This month's list of Australia's top 20 classical music albums.

The Canberra Choral Society’s AD gets a handle on music, coffee and more coffee! Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $3 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

David Robertson, Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, is our Guest Editor.

From Messiah to Cats, this award-winning singer shares her multi-faceted musical passions. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $3 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

When Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor was premiered in Naples in 1835 there was as much drama off stage as on. The San Carlo opera house was on the verge of bankruptcy and the musicians hadn’t been paid. His diva, Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani, was miffed that the tenor Edgardo’s death scene comes after hers – this in spite of the fact that he stabs himself when he hears her death knell! To make things even worse the glass harmonica player, so vital for the mad scene, quit and the composer had to rescore it with a second flute. Fortunately conductor Jesús López-Cobos seems to have had a much easier time with this fine new release starring German soprano Diana Damrau and the popular Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja. Recorded from live concert performances in Munich over four nights, this is a good if not exceptional production. The two leads make a handsome vocal couple but there are occasional ragged edges that would have been airbrushed out in a studio recording. In the big duet Verranno a te sull’aure, for example, Calleja finishes well before Damrau.  However, these are minor flaws. The ensemble singing in the sextet is a standout and Damrau shines…