July 2024

I may be eight months late in proclaiming this. However, I thank Elena Tsallagova’s encouraging Facebook comment when I reviewed Jossie Wieler’s, Anna Viebrock’s, and Sergio Morabito’s production of Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She sang Eva Pogner. Although I had my initial doubts about how she was going to fare in stark comparison to a lot of my favorite Evas such as Elisabeth Rethberg, Tiana Lemnitz, and Margarete Teschemacher among the many spinto and full lyric sopranos of the past, Mrs. Tsallagova continued to demonstrate her pristine technique and unparalleled musical prowess to own Eva’s music. Therefore, she was one of the stars who shone so brilliantly that night.   Comments of this ilk remind me why I love and continue to be passionate about producing online music and media reviews. It is never enough to sit back, relax, and enjoy any opera or musical work I watch. I always revel in engaging with the various presented works, analyzing said works, and constructing arguments based on thorough research, profound understanding, and unwavering passion for the performing arts. This is especially where acting and singing are concerned. Yes, some people find me “unfair” or “mean” when I make my reviews. Nonetheless, I do not care because the only attribute I highly regard is ensuring that any performer has an excellent pedigree to fulfill what their roles demand. I will constantly remain true to my assessments and never let them be silenced.   Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Elena Tsallagova for her empowering comment. I will continue to integrate deep analysis, high passion, and clear criticism in my content for all my viewers. This is especially true for all the operas, concerts, albums, musicals, operettas, and ballets I review. I will also persevere even when certain “triggered commenters” whine about me being too mean. Quality technique and precise clarity will always remain the top priorities of every performer I assess. Moreover, I am sufficiently brave to implement my education to keep my mind open and ensure that my arguments align well with what must be conveyed. Thus, I will continue to exercise critical analysis as an online music and media reviewer and will never waver from my arguments and critiques.