In brief: The Wreckers
Ethyl Smyth’s opera The Wreckers is a tale of love, lies and betrayal in an 18th century fishing village that partakes in the highly illegal practice of luring ships onto the rocks so they can be pillaged.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 15 Mar 2023
Ethyl Smyth’s opera The Wreckers is a tale of love, lies and betrayal in an 18th century fishing village that partakes in the highly illegal practice of luring ships onto the rocks so they can be pillaged.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 25 Jan 2023
From sorceresses at war to social rejection – by way of Dickens, fairytales and gender identity – Rebecca Armstrong uncovers some of the best operas written by women you can watch for free.
Read Moreby Rebecca | 17 Oct 2022
YouTube is a fantastic resource when it comes to finding free full-length operas to watch. Here we identify 10 in the Baroque style that you might want to tune into
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 30 Sep 2022
German composer Beethoven’s only opera tells a story of justice, freedom and the power of love. Find out all you need to know about this tale of a woman’s bravery.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 20 Jul 2022
Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna, teaching him a lesson in fidelity along the way, in Mozart’s ever-popular comedy.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 2 Mar 2022
The first-known opera to be composed by a woman, Francesca Caccini’s work tells the story of the knight Ruggiero and his escape from the evil sorceress Alcina.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 23 Feb 2022
A trip to the opera can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these top tips to get your cheap tickets.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 9 Jun 2021
Britten’s powerful opera about a misunderstood fisherman paints a vivid picture of a small community’s descent into suspicion, gossip and mob mentality in the face of tragedy.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 23 Mar 2021
Puccini’s enduring tragic love story tells of the doomed affair between a pretty seamstress and a penniless poet. It is packed with some of opera’s most beautiful – and recognisable – music.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 Jan 2021
The performing arts sector has been hit hard by the Covid-19 health crisis, but it has also forced some innovative solutions to difficult problems. Rebecca Armstrong looks at what this might mean for opera.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 4 Dec 2020
This lyrical fantasy composed by Ravel, with a libretto by Colette, brings together humour and theatricality.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 8 Sep 2020
This satirical ballad opera by John Gay tells the story of London’s criminal underbelly, centring on highwayman, gang leader and philanderer Captain Macheath.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 May 2020
With the country in lockdown and theatres forced to close, opera companies have been coming up with novel ways of sharing their productions. Rebecca Armstrong asks if this will have a lasting effect on how we enjoy opera.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 21 Apr 2020
With venues across the UK – and much of the world – shut down due to coronavirus, Rebecca Armstrong looks at ways you can still access a bit of culture.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 14 Apr 2020
Mozart’s magical fairy tale is one of opera’s most beloved works, telling the story of handsome Prince Tamino as he attempts to rescue Pamina from the evil sorcerer Sarastro.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 7 Apr 2020
Featuring some of the most beautiful music ever written, Puccini’s much-loved opera tells the tragic tale of the lives, loves and friendships of four starving artists in Paris.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 3 Mar 2020
If you only speak English is there good reason to listen to an opera in the language in which it was written? Find out why Rebecca Armstrong thinks there is.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 27 Dec 2019
If you’re new to opera and only speak English, language can be a barrier to enjoyment, so we here provide you with a list of works that are sung in English for you to add to your library.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 15 Nov 2019
There are laughs aplenty and happy endings all round in this satirical shipboard farce about love, mistaken identity and the absurdities of the British class system.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 8 Nov 2019
Donizetti’s two-act romantic comedy follows the fortunes of poor villager Nemorino who is in love with wealthy, beautiful heiress Adina.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 9 Aug 2019
Dafne by composers Peri and Corsi is considered the first opera, but what made this piece different from what came before? And what came next?
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 14 Jun 2019
Verdi’s much-loved tragedy tells the story of a doomed courtesan and the young nobleman who loves her.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 12 Apr 2019
Explore the romance and tragedy of one of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas, a tale of passion and jealousy about the tempestuous opera singer Floria Tosca.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 Apr 2019
Attending an opera can be costly, but there are ways that you can get your musical fix without paying a penny.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 29 Aug 2018
If opera is to shake off its elitist reputation, translating more productions into English could be the way forward, but it’s not without its difficulties.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 19 Jun 2018
This popular opera tells the story of the passionate but doomed eponymous gypsy girl and is packed with well-known tunes.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 4 May 2018
Downloading your first opera, or buying the CD, can seem daunting. We identify 10 opera albums every beginner should own, so you don’t have to.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 3 May 2018
This popular comic opera by Rossini is all about disguises, deception and true love.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 15 Mar 2023
Ethyl Smyth’s opera The Wreckers is a tale of love, lies and betrayal in an 18th century fishing village that partakes in the highly illegal practice of luring ships onto the rocks so they can be pillaged.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 25 Jan 2023
From sorceresses at war to social rejection – by way of Dickens, fairytales and gender identity – Rebecca Armstrong uncovers some of the best operas written by women you can watch for free.
Read Moreby Rebecca | 17 Oct 2022
YouTube is a fantastic resource when it comes to finding free full-length operas to watch. Here we identify 10 in the Baroque style that you might want to tune into
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 30 Sep 2022
German composer Beethoven’s only opera tells a story of justice, freedom and the power of love. Find out all you need to know about this tale of a woman’s bravery.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 20 Jul 2022
Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna, teaching him a lesson in fidelity along the way, in Mozart’s ever-popular comedy.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 2 Mar 2022
The first-known opera to be composed by a woman, Francesca Caccini’s work tells the story of the knight Ruggiero and his escape from the evil sorceress Alcina.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 23 Feb 2022
A trip to the opera can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these top tips to get your cheap tickets.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 9 Jun 2021
Britten’s powerful opera about a misunderstood fisherman paints a vivid picture of a small community’s descent into suspicion, gossip and mob mentality in the face of tragedy.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 23 Mar 2021
Puccini’s enduring tragic love story tells of the doomed affair between a pretty seamstress and a penniless poet. It is packed with some of opera’s most beautiful – and recognisable – music.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 Jan 2021
The performing arts sector has been hit hard by the Covid-19 health crisis, but it has also forced some innovative solutions to difficult problems. Rebecca Armstrong looks at what this might mean for opera.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 4 Dec 2020
This lyrical fantasy composed by Ravel, with a libretto by Colette, brings together humour and theatricality.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 8 Sep 2020
This satirical ballad opera by John Gay tells the story of London’s criminal underbelly, centring on highwayman, gang leader and philanderer Captain Macheath.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 May 2020
With the country in lockdown and theatres forced to close, opera companies have been coming up with novel ways of sharing their productions. Rebecca Armstrong asks if this will have a lasting effect on how we enjoy opera.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 21 Apr 2020
With venues across the UK – and much of the world – shut down due to coronavirus, Rebecca Armstrong looks at ways you can still access a bit of culture.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 14 Apr 2020
Mozart’s magical fairy tale is one of opera’s most beloved works, telling the story of handsome Prince Tamino as he attempts to rescue Pamina from the evil sorcerer Sarastro.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 7 Apr 2020
Featuring some of the most beautiful music ever written, Puccini’s much-loved opera tells the tragic tale of the lives, loves and friendships of four starving artists in Paris.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 3 Mar 2020
If you only speak English is there good reason to listen to an opera in the language in which it was written? Find out why Rebecca Armstrong thinks there is.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 27 Dec 2019
If you’re new to opera and only speak English, language can be a barrier to enjoyment, so we here provide you with a list of works that are sung in English for you to add to your library.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 15 Nov 2019
There are laughs aplenty and happy endings all round in this satirical shipboard farce about love, mistaken identity and the absurdities of the British class system.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 8 Nov 2019
Donizetti’s two-act romantic comedy follows the fortunes of poor villager Nemorino who is in love with wealthy, beautiful heiress Adina.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 9 Aug 2019
Dafne by composers Peri and Corsi is considered the first opera, but what made this piece different from what came before? And what came next?
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 14 Jun 2019
Verdi’s much-loved tragedy tells the story of a doomed courtesan and the young nobleman who loves her.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 12 Apr 2019
Explore the romance and tragedy of one of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas, a tale of passion and jealousy about the tempestuous opera singer Floria Tosca.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 5 Apr 2019
Attending an opera can be costly, but there are ways that you can get your musical fix without paying a penny.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 29 Aug 2018
If opera is to shake off its elitist reputation, translating more productions into English could be the way forward, but it’s not without its difficulties.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 19 Jun 2018
This popular opera tells the story of the passionate but doomed eponymous gypsy girl and is packed with well-known tunes.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 4 May 2018
Downloading your first opera, or buying the CD, can seem daunting. We identify 10 opera albums every beginner should own, so you don’t have to.
Read Moreby Rebecca Armstrong | 3 May 2018
This popular comic opera by Rossini is all about disguises, deception and true love.
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