When they're not arguing over their musical preferences, editors Mark and Elisabeth actually get on rather well and can often be found in opera houses and concert halls or creating culinary delights in the kitchen.
Mark and Elisabeth travel to the sinister worlds of singing automata and seven-headed mouse kings to bring you the best works inspired – and composed – by ETA Hoffmann.
Flowers, wine and serenades not doing it for you on Valentine's Day? Then we prescribe a dose of our cynics playlist, which should cure you of all romantic thoughts... at least for an hour or so.
Our editors have chosen their favourite ten from his 600+ Lieder. Warning: don't expect a jolly time, until we get to no. 10... and even then things turn out badly if you're a fish.
As the old year gives way to the new, our thoughts turn to Vienna and the New Year's concert. But which are the best waltzes? Mark and Elisabeth decide!
When Mark and Elisabeth considered their top ten violin concertos, an easy truce was agreed. Sorry, Johannes, but when it comes to violin concertos, Pyotr Ilyich was victorious.
Characters in opera are doomed to die – especially sopranos – but the variety of ways they are dispatched can be highly entertaining. Sit back and enjoy some of our favourites!
