September 2020

This month we feature the great Grace Bumbry, seen on the cover as Amneris, one of her classic roles. We launch a new series — or rather build on one that ran several decades ago — of Great Singers in Great Roles with Bumbry talking about one of Verdi’s most celebrated mezzo-soprano parts.

In these worrying times it may be tempting to take refuge in past operatic glories, but we confront the current crisis as well. We asked many of the world’s leading opera-house bosses to share their feelings — hopes and fears — about working in the shadow of Covid-19 and the solutions they are finding in order to keep their theatres alive. We also hear from Julia Lagahuzère, the founding general director of Opera for Peace, a new organization needed now more than ever. We report on some of the ‘green shoots’ already appearing, as our live review section grows again.

Also included in this month’s features:

—A profile of the bel canto soprano Jessica Pratt

—The musicologist Roger Parker on working with Opera Rara

—A tribute to the conductor Richard Bonynge on his 90th birthday

—The great Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz’s place in music

—A forgotten interview with the composer Pietro Mascagni is reconsidered

Our ‘For the record’ guest this month is the tenor Piotr Beczała, and our ‘Disc of the month’ is Dallapiccola’s Il prigioniero.