How It Should Be Done

There are many reasons why Parterre Box is the best opera blog: it has juicy gossip, catty comments, and perceptive reviews. Like this review of Maria Guleghina as Norma, written by the avowed Guleghina partisan who goes by the caro nome of Gualtier Malde. Note how he discloses his fanaticism at the outset, and then proceeds to give an unblinkered account of how his idol fared. His long familiarity with her art allows him to write with great insight about both her strengths and failings--and with real style, too:

"Guleghina is often happiest when she can hurl her voice like steel javelins at the music - preferably in the higher range. Some of these vocal assaults miss the target but the energy and force is always exciting. However as Norma, Guleghina attempted many soft attacks, sustained piano singing and modulated phrasing. This in itself was admirable but years of daredevil oversinging are hard to shake off for one role. These piano phrases - including the opening and ending phrases of 'Casta Diva' - suffered from hollow, unsteady tones and fell short of the intended pitch."

Gualtier Malde's admission of his partisanship actually makes this a more balanced and convincing review.