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I just read that Bard is putting on a little festival devoted to the two above-mentioned friends and colleagues (one program, repeated twice) this month at Bard.  On Friday the 18 and Saturday the 19, TON (The Orchestra Now) will perform Gernsheim's Zu einem Drama, 'Song of Miriam" symphony (no.3) and Brahms piano concerto no.1.  Tickets are mostly free, but must be reserved.  "Miriam" is advertised as the U S premiere.  Botstein conducts.  (I'm assuming there are panels and discussions, but I can't find any details.) Best, David

I think Amazon us copies ship next week.  The sound samples sound like fun...

Rogers received her early training from her father, the English musician John Barnett (composer of one of the first English Romantic operas, The Mountain Sylph...overture relatively recently recorded by Bonynge).  She also sang opera for a number of years under the stage name Clara Doria, iirc.  Her memoirs are quite interesting....

To mark the 250th anniversary of America, ASO under Botstein will present the first performance since its 1898 premier of George Bristow's choral symphony "Niagara".  And as if that weren't special enough, the concert opens with Dudley Buck's roof raising Festival Overture on the Star-Spangled Banner.  The overture has been recorded, but not the symphony.  The performance will be at Carnegie Hall on Jan 30 2026 at 8, with pre-concert remarks at 7.  A bright moment in dark times!   -David

Extending his run of French Romantic revivals, Botstein will bring Prophete to New York audiences for the first time since the Met's drab production of the 1970s.  Probably in mid/late July.  Not my favorite of Meyerbeer's big French works, but very welcome all the same.... Best, David 

I go next Sunday, so I'm relieved to hear that Henry will not be dressed as a space alien.

Vaughan Williams and His World is the subject of this year's Bard Festival and as usual, the crowning event is an opera-in-concert: I'm delighted that VW's Falstaff opera has been chosen.  New Yorkers have had several chances to hear this tuneful and heartwarming opera in recent years,  as Bronx Opera has brought it out in at least 3 seasons.  Botstein's performance will be Aug. 13 and i believe tickets go on sale to the public March 9.  The rest of the festival will feature VW chamber, vocal and orchestral works, panel discussions and music of relevant contemporaries.

Starting July 26 there will be a run of staged performance of Saint-Saens' grand opera.  Eleven years ago, Botstein led a gripping concert performance of this fine work (somewhat let down by an inadequate Henry), we hope for even better this time.  Tickets go on sale to the public March 9.

What a marvelous cover photo!  He looks like he hasn't taken his meds in weeks...i've got to get this!

No Bertin for me, thanks.  Esmeralda gave me a rash.  Very curious about Holmes' opera, though.

It's easy enough to skip over the topics people are 'unenthusiastic' about, I do it all the time.  I for one am grateful for this information...

US Amazon release date Nov 5.  I've preordered.  Should be very enjoyable.

This is very exciting...thanks for all your efforts!

What is a "wordless play"?

The Dutton version of the "Norwich" is far better played and conducted than the Marco Polo version, imo.