Like many of the Russian composers in the later 19th century, Victor Vladimirovich Ewald (1860–1935) had a day job. He completed his studies in St Petersburg in civil engineering and, in 1900, was a professor at the Faculty of Construction

In 1900, Grieg spent some time in Copenhagen, and he wrote to a friend, “although I am currently out of the country, my thoughts are only about Norway and Norwegians, about all our youthful pugnacity up there. Yes, it is

A little while ago, I wrote a blog on the 10 most beautiful piano trios and your response was overwhelming. Thank you so much for your encouraging comments, and also for suggesting additional works that should have been included. To

William Vincent Wallace (1812-1865) might not be a household name nowadays, but he was one of the major composers of Romantic English opera. And while his opera Maritana, which had a triumphant première at London’s Drury Lane Theatre on 15

It took Richard Wagner the better part of 26 years to complete Götterdämmerung (Twilights of the Gods). This final opera in the Ring cycle was originally called “Siegfried’s Tod,” and the resources and stamina demanded by the work from both

Recognised as one of Gioachino Rossini’s most brilliant and innovative comedies, Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy) is a laugh-out-loud opera buffa, full of energetic and buoyant music. With a libretto by Felice Romani, the work first sounded

Violinist Gérard (Georges) Poulet was born on 12 August 1938 in Bayonne in the south of France, and he won the Paganini Competition in Genoa at the age of eighteen. Poulet was never the most showy violinist, but from the

“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” the old joke goes. “Practice, practice, practice,” is the customary response. However, if you’re feeling lazy, there is another easier way you can visit: by watching films or TV shows that use Carnegie