Killing Khovansky

1,041 words about the past that have absolutely nothing to do with the present (until they do)

Sep 23 • 

Olivia Giovetti

6

The Unsullied Face of Truth

A few scattered thoughts as I reconsider La clemenza di Tito

Sep 2 • 

Olivia Giovetti

12

8

August 2025

Can We Please Stop Pretending that Music Is Going to Lift Us Above Anything, Let Alone the Current Global Political Landscape?

Can we please stop pretending that music is going to “lift us” above anything, let alone the current geopolitical situation?

Aug 21 • 

Olivia Giovetti

19

6

Throwing Light

Raymond Bisha, 1957-2025

Aug 14 • 

Olivia Giovetti

5

3

July 2025

Two or Three (Other) Things I Know about Il Trovatore

Once again writing about Verdi and politics.

Jul 31 • 

Olivia Giovetti

5

3

9.5 Theses on Art and Politics

The ethics of pursuing classical music in a world on fire.

Jul 17 • 

Olivia Giovetti

23

2

May 2025

Excerpts from a “Sex and the City” Revival in which Carrie is Replaced with Edward Said

I couldn't help but wonder… was every single empire, in fact, exactly like all the others?

May 29

6

6

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's Inner Life and Chaotic Surroundings

Art, war, politics, and the baritone at 100

May 23 • 

Olivia Giovetti

10

Zweigvanshchina

Stefan Zweig, Modest Mussorgsky, and the microcosms that mirrored the macrocosms in the Salzburg Easter Festival's Khovanshchina.

May 8 • 

Olivia Giovetti

6

3

Dirtbag Dichterliebe

Happy May, dirtbags.

May 1 • 

Olivia Giovetti

13

4

April 2025

Casting Out Nines

Mythbusting the Curse of the Ninth, and mythmaking with the Mahlers

Apr 26 • 

Olivia Giovetti

6

5

Space Oddities

How Joseph Haydn beat Katy Perry into space

Apr 17 • 

Olivia Giovetti

7