Anne Midgette

As Wagner's "Ring Cycle" arrives at the Metropolitan Opera this week critics contend that it's the ultimate in long, boring and bombastic music drama. But Wagner fans (or "Ringheads") argue that few composers pack in more thrilling songs, glorious orchestral passages, and big ideas -- and the rewards for the ...

As part of our series "Seven Sins: The Deadly Medley," we explore how the seven so-called cardinal sins shape works in pop, classical, R&B, and other genres. On the eve of Valentine's Day, we indulge in the big one: Lust. Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette and Details magazine ...

Musician Steve Earle gives us his take on this historic moment. Also: Performers Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill talk about getting the call to play John Williams' piece for the inauguration. Plus: Anne Midgette gives us a review of the inauguration parade performances.

Our Critics Week special continues, as Anne Midgette of the Washington Post joins us for a look at classical music in 2008. And, you can cast your vote for this year's best classical release in our listener poll.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on his classical ...

New operas based on world events, movies or popular books are more popular than ever. But according to Washington Post music critic Anne Midgette "people who go to see an opera based on a book they liked often come away disappointed." She explains why.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer asks: ...

Today we confess the "dirty secrets" in our pop music past -- the albums, concerts and fan letters that even our closest friends don't know about. Cintra Wilson, New York Times and Salon.com contributor, and Anne Midgette, the Washington Post's acting chief classical music critic join our listeners in sharing ...

New York City Opera will be closing up shop during the 2008-09 season while its home, Lincoln Center's New York State Theater, undergoes major renovations. But big plans are in the works down the road including an opera based on “Brokeback Mountain.” Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette talks ...

A day after he was sworn in as New York’s new governor, David Paterson was quick to acknowledge that he and his wife had extramarital affairs. Today, we confess the "dirty secrets" in our pop music past -- the albums, concerts and fan letters that even our closest friends don't ...

Women have attained prominence in most every area of classical music excepting on the conductor's podium. Only last fall did the first major American orchestra hire a women as its full-time music director, when conductor Marin Alsop arrived at the Baltimore Symphony. Washington Post chief classical music critic Anne Midgette ...

New York Times classical music critic Anne Midgette talks about CD buying in the post-Tower Records world, particularly with respect to one classical lovers' destination: a Web site called Arkivmusic.com.

The acclaimed soprano Beverly Sills died last night at her home in Manhattan. She was 78. Known to many as the queen of American opera, the Brooklyn-born Sills became a mainstream celebrity in the television age. She also was a major force inside the fine arts world, serving as the ...

Bucking cultural norms and music-industry trends, overweight singers find greater acceptance in certain musical styles. Sometimes, their body types are even considered essential. Today, we talk with Rachel Giese of CBC Arts Online; Anne Midgette, classical music critic of the New York Times; and opera singer Shana Blake Hill about ...