Fred Plotkin

A celebration of the legendary Aretha Franklin.

The upcoming fall season is full of opera and vocal performances—here's what to see.

What were the late Justice Antonin Scalia's thoughts on opera?

Remembering Brian Kellow (March 1, 1959 – July 22, 2018)

Why Wagner's Ring inspires such devoted fans.

Fred Plotkin sits down with retiring Julliard President Joseph Polisi to talk about his life and career.

The Tony Awards are happening this Sunday. How should we honor great American productions of opera?

A decline in attendance comes at a time when there is a lot to admire at the Met.

Fred Plotkin argues for the return of the curtain call after each act.

The International Opera Awards didn't name a winner for best opera orchestra from 2014 to 2017. But in 2018, the prize went to Teatro alla Scala. Why has the category made a comeback?

Nowadays, the warm months are filled with a lot of compelling and original opera. This year, the music of Leonard Bernstein (1918–90) is omnipresent, to celebrate his centennial. 

The mostly complete score of an opera that Verdi specialists had long ago given up hope of finding was recently discovered in a basement.

Opera in Munich dates back to 1653, giving it one of the longest traditions of this art form in the world.

The Metropolitan Opera has just announced the repertory and casting for its 2018–19 season, and Fred Plotkin is looking forward to next year with great enthusiasm.

As opera companies stumble over one another announcing their 2018–19 seasons, Fred Plotkin is heartened by what’s new.

Many composers, singers, and musicians have dogs who love to listen to their master’s music. Fred Plotkin looks back at the long history of adorable dogs in opera.  

For 24 years, Marilyn Horne taught the tradition of the art song to young singers and pianists — as well as to eager audiences at Carnegie Hall. Fred Plotkin remarks on her legacy.

Fred Plotkin sees a new documentary that tells the story of the evolution and creation of the new Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in 1966. 

Although they may seem god-like to their fans, opera singers are human and as fallible as the rest of us.

Fred Plotkin remembers Simonetta Puccini, the last surviving direct descendant of Giacomo Puccini, who died on Dec. 16 at the age of 89.