Anne Midgette

Forget the diva stereotype: Opera careers are tough, and often strict. But as concert halls reopen after months of shutdown, more than a few singers are showing newfound creativity.

As symphonies adapt to lower ticket sales and the changing cultural landscape, we take a look at Baltimore, where musicians are protesting payroll cuts.

Operas rarely make headlines, but most don't jump into the world's most divisive issues. As Klinghoffer's run at the Met ends, we ask critics and the show's creators if it succeeded. 

Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette shares some of her musical favorites from the past year -- including a dancing orchestra (seriously, watch the video). And, she takes aim at some opera crossover artists who aren't living up to their own hype. 

Steve Reich's "WTC 9/11"

The Philadelphia Orchestra's bankruptcy filing is just the latest in a long history of bad news about American orchestras. But let's take a look at the brighter side of the story, shall we? With the help of Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette and Brooklyn Philharmonic artistic director Alan Pierson, we discuss ensembles that are tackling tough times with innovative efforts—and finding success.

Sometimes the plots of operas are ripped straight from the tabloids. The Washington Post's classical music critic Anne Midgette joins us for a look at the grand tradition of documentary operas, and the genre's recent crop --from "Nixon in China" to Anna Nicole Smith.

Our Critics Week series continues with a look back at year in classical music and opera. Washington Post chief classical music critic Anne Midgette joins us with her picks for the year’s best. Plus: Tis the season – for Handel’s “Messiah.”  Every year at this time, Handel’s big piece for chorus, soloists and orchestra takes over the NY concert scene. Kent Tritle, conductor of the Oratorio Society of NY and Musica Sacra, and host of the new “Choral Mix with Kent Tritle” on WQXR, updates us on all things "Messiah."

Donald Rosenberg, the classical music critic of Cleveland's The Plain Dealer, was pulled off his regular beat in 2008 after writing a number of pieces critical of the Cleveland Orchestra and specifically its music director, Franz Welser-Möst.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will present classical arrangements of Michael Jackson’s music, including songs from the Jackson Five and Thriller. 

Figure skating is arguably the most popular of the Winter Olympic sports and music is a key weapon in the figure skater's arsenal. Yet opinions differ on the sport's tried-and-true hits - the oft-used pieces such as "Carmen," "Bolero," and "Phantom of the Opera." Some believe it's time to shake ...

It was the decade when movie theaters started showing opera, and the LA Philharmonic hired a 28-year-old whose nickname was "The Dude" to run the show. Today, Critics' Week continues with a look at the decade in classical and opera music. Anne Midgette, chief classical music critic of the Washington ...

In politics, an extra-marital affair can jeopardize a career. But in music, cheating is the subject of some of the most popular songs ever, from Marvin Gaye’s "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to the Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes" to TLC's "Creep." (Don't get us started on operas. OK, do.) We ...