Tag

list

The 25 Best Operas – Part 2

February 5, 2026

Part 1 of this list is here. Aida (Verdi, 1871) was composed to open the new Cairo Opera House. It was written to a libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, which in turn was based on a scenario developed by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. Because of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 its sets made in Paris […]

The 10 Best Mezzo-Sopranos of the 20th Century

July 21, 2017

It was really hard to pick 10 mezzos. There were so many great singers of this range in the 20th century that I’m sure that if I picked just 10 a week from now, the list would be different. So this ranking not only reflects personal taste and opinion, but it also is conditional. Feel […]

The 10 Best Mezzo-Sopranos of the 20th Century

The 10 Best Tenors of the 20th Century

March 8, 2016

I’ve listed the 10 tenors that I think were the best of those active in the 20th century. Obviously, this list is entirely subjective and reflects nothing more than my tastes and opinions. Readers are invited to submit their own lists in the comments section. I have tried to pick a selection for each tenor […]

Top 10

February 3, 2011

Anthony Tommasini the music critic of the New York Times has been driving music lovers to frustrated distraction by his endless quest for his very own list of “classical” music’s top 10 composers – in order of merit no less. Such compilations are basically frivolous, but they’re harmless. They can even yield some amusement. While it took […]

About the Editor

Neil Kurtzman

Physician. Professor. Writer.

Neil A Kurtzman MD is the Grover E Murray Professor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. He has combined careers in clinical medicine, education, basic research, and administration for more than 40 years.