Based on a 13th-century epic poem, Wagner’s last opera, Parsifal, tells the story of an Arthurian knight searching for the Holy Grail. Beginning October 25, 2025, San Francisco Opera is performing Parsifal. Audience members and critics are praising the rarity and spiritual impact of experiencing Parsifal live after a 25-year absence from the company’s repertoire.… Read More about “Parsifal is returning to the San Francisco Opera”
Librettists and Poets
A Journey Through Song with Cincinnati’s Own Megan Moore
What makes an incredible vocal performance even more remarkable? Knowing it’s the artist’s first time back on stage just seven weeks after giving birth by C-section, with her husband and newborn son cheering her on from the wings. That was the inspiring reality at the recent Matinée Musicale Cincinnati recital featuring mezzo-soprano Megan Moore. For… Read More about “A Journey Through Song with Cincinnati’s Own Megan Moore”
IPA Source is now a member of the NISO SERU Registry
A SERU (Shared Electronic Resource Understanding) is considered a NISO best practice. IPA Source is pleased to be a part of the NISO SERU registry. If your institutional library wants to get started, visit https://www.niso.org/standards-committees/seru/getting-started-seru-libraries.
Songs of Travel
In the early 1900s, Ralph Vaughan Williams, a brilliant English composer, embarked on a musical journey inspired by the words of Robert Louis Stevenson. The result was “Songs of Travel,” a captivating song cycle that takes listeners on a poignant exploration of life, love, and the human spirit. Set against the backdrop of Stevenson’s evocative… Read More about “Songs of Travel”
Notable black figures in the world of opera during the 18th and 19th centuries
The field of opera libretto writing has been traditionally dominated by white, male composers. However, there were some notable black figures in the world of opera and born in the 18th and 19th centuries who made significant contributions in the field of performance and composition. William Henry Brown (1815-1884) was an African American actor, singer,… Read More about “Notable black figures in the world of opera during the 18th and 19th centuries”
Italian librettist and poet, Felice Romani
Giuseppe Felice Romani (1788-1865), also known as Felice Romani, was an Italian opera librettist of the 19th century. He was born in Milan and began his career as a lawyer before turning to literature and eventually opera libretto writing. Romani’s most famous works include the librettos for Bellini’s “Norma” and “I Puritani,” as well as… Read More about “Italian librettist and poet, Felice Romani”
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, organist and composer
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, born in Lichtenstein March 17, 1839, was a respected pianist, organist, and composer. Rheinberger was involved in the performances of Wagner‘s “Tristan und Isolde” and “Die Meistersinger” by the Royal Opera. Josef Rheinberger began serving as an organist in a Lichtenstein church at the age of 7. Rheinberger attended the Munich Conservatorium,… Read More about “Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, organist and composer”
Featured composer: Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner (Richard Wagner), born May 22, 1813 and died February 13, 1883, was a German conductor, polemicist, dramatic composer and theorist. Wagner had a revolutionary influence over the course of Western music. Unique to most opera composers is the fact that Wagner wrote both the libretto and music for each of his stage… Read More about “Featured composer: Richard Wagner”