Jason Victor Serinus

Jonas Kaufmann's first complete Cavaradossi in Robert Carsen's fascinating modern update of Puccini's Tosca may find you devouring this DVD.

Ranging from good to great, despite some odd tempos along the way, two brilliant singers render arias by Verdi, Mozart, Dvořák, and Puccini.

The latest CD from the Midwestern male vocal ensemble Cantus provocatively ventures into Chanticleer territory.

This European recording of Grofé's original jazz arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue is a raucous romp that thrives on improvisation. It also continually contrasts seemingly unstoppable propulsion with subtle, laid back lingering.

Daveda Karanas set her sights very high. In her Schwabacher Debut recital, she skimmed the surface of songs that are a litmus test of a singer’s ability to infuse lyrical grandeur with intimacy and depth.

Frederica von Stade shares her master class strategies, plans for the future, gratitude for her “guardian angels” ... and joy at being a new grandma.

Christian Tetzlaff, visiting S.F. with his longtime quartet, insists that a chamber musician’s job is to draw listeners into the story — whether of friendship, compassion, intimate feelings, or terrible things happening.

The human voice reaches its apogee with Lorraine Hunt Lieberson’s recording of Berlioz and Haydn, accompanied by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Castleton Festival Opera’s productions of Albert Herring and The Rape of Lucretia featured some less than stellar vocal performances.

Steven Blier’s N.Y. latest Festival of Song appearances in S.F., always cause for celebration, is Amores Nuevos — featuring discoveries born of a love affair with Spanish and Latin American song and blessed by the gifts of four Adler Fellows.