Last night, the Metropolitan Opera premiered its lavish new production of Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold (the first opera from the four-opera cycle The Ring). The $16 million production features a specially-designed set that worked well—up until the very end. more ›

According to the NY Times, the Metropolitan Opera decided to restage Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde to bring leading "acclaimed Wagnerian" tenor Ben Heppner and soprano Deborah Voigt together for the first time in a staged production. And for those of you who haven't been able to buy tickets, you can see them in tonight's final performance because it will stream live from the Met's website. (Here's a link that will launch the Met's RealPlayer stream.) more ›

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s historic concert in North Korea concluded hours ago, marking the first performance by an American orchestra in the impoverished, totalitarian nation. The event also marked a first for much of the press, who are routinely denied access to North Korea and, once inside, usually find their movements tightly controlled. The Times has a stunning slideshow of photos snapped en route from the airport to the center of Pyongyang, something the photographer says is never permitted. more ›