Opera in the Real World: The historical figures behind some of opera's greatest characters
5 January 2015
Composers have often looked to the real world for operatic inspiration – though their real-life subjects often undergo some operatization on their way to the stage.
Living the American Dream: How opera has embraced and attacked a national ethos
1 September 2014
From cheerful go-getting lumberjacks to a city of hedonism in the desert, lyric theatre has long confronted the ideals of the USA.
Operageddon: Musings on the end of the world
24 June 2014
Opera has always flirted with catastrophic events. We look at how opera composers and directors have faced the apocalypse.
Operatic Pacifism
30 January 2014
In preparation for English Touring Opera's production of King Priam, we look at how pacifist ideals have influenced opera in the last century.
In celebration of Thanksgiving: American operas and ballets
24 November 2011
We pick a selection of the top operas and ballets from the other side of the Atlantic.