The 2006 season from Washington National Opera finally opened Saturday night with an opera that I was thrilled to see and hear live, Béla Bartók’s A Kékszakállú herceg vára (Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, premiered at the Budapest Opera in 1918). The Ambassador of Hungary, András Simonyi — fresh from a hilarious appearance on the Colbert Report — was so happy that he helped host the opening night WNO gala in honor of the 50th anniversary of…

Sunday night, celebrated coloratura Sumi Jo gave a recital in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. This concert, which should have been a major musical event, was not publicized well — I did what I could by recommending it the previous Sunday — and therefore sadly undersold. Jo is celebrating her 20th anniversary as an opera singer with a recital tour, apparently self-funded. In true diva style, she wore three different gowns, of increasing levels of…

Well, people, you had to get through a few weeks without your DCist Classical Music Agenda, and now the agony is over. Yes, there are once again concerts worth your while in Washington, and we are here to tell you where to go. If you are one of those classical fans who has somehow not heard, this year the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, on January 27. As a result, everyone and…