December 2006
Eighty years ago! This film was a part of the first “Vitaphone” presentation in New York in August 1926. Soprano Marion Talley was 19 years old and in the first season of her three-year Met career when this scene was filmed.
“Opera that depicts Bush, Blair dancing in underwear is canceled.” From the Associated Press. And while we’re on the subject, the scene in question (from Robert Carsen‘s production of Candide, which will not be seen at La Scala in 2007.)
Five newspaper reviews are in for Anna Netrebko‘s Met Puritani, and the score stands at four postive, one mixed: “With the smoky colorings and throbbing richness of her sumptuous voice, Ms. Netrebko was an unusually vulnerable Elvira. Bel Canto purists may find fault with her sometimes imprecise execution of coloratura runs and roulades. But I…
La Cieca thought that now that Puritani has opened at the Met, it’s as good a time as any to review the company’s (rumored) bel canto plans for the next five years or so. Remember, everything in this life is uncertain, so please regard these “predictions” as the gossip they are. Anyway, La Cieca hopes…
This is the biggest limb La Cieca has ever gone out on: Expect James Levine to make his official Met farewell at the end of the 2011-2012 season. (First hedge on this prediction: Levine will make occasional “guest” appearances with the Met after 2012.) Remember, you heard it here first.
UPDATE: Gregory Kunde is now listed on the Met’s site for the prima of Puritani. La Cieca hears that Eric Cutler did not sing the dress rehearsal of Puritani (anyone there to confirm/deny?) and, though his name’s still on the Met’s site, he won’t go on for the prima Wednesday. Thoughts? And the tittle-tattle about…
The miraculous properties of the Gelb-era Met begin to rival those of the legendary aerosol product Shimmer. In the future, it seems, the Met will be both a floor wax and a dessert topping. For example, it has been rumored that a new production of Il trovatore would star (depending on who was telling the…
In the year 2012 we will all have robot servants to organize our collections of antique CDs! In the year 2012 we will complain about the mediocre sound quality of holographic opera telecasts! In the year 2012, stem cells will be used to used to regenerate node-infested vocal cords. Oh, and did I mention that…
No, it’s still not opera, but here’s a classic lounge act in the holiday spirit.
At last La Cieca has discovered Renee Fleming‘s muse, or at least, as we have so often wondered “who the hell it was who taught her to sing that way.” Meet the divine Naoko Maeda, asking the musical question . . . “Bill” (from Show Boat)
Don’t forget to join La Cieca at 8:00 tonight for a live chat about the prima of The First Emperor at 8:00 p.m. Would any of La Cieca’s cher public care to give her a hand as moderators in the chatroom tonight? To serve, as it were, as Roger Alberto to her Vecchia Madelon? Well,…
Not opera, but it’s seasonal.
Cher public, you all know that La Cieca just adores Beverly Sills, and your scribe simply dotes on the Met’s new web presence. But, entre nous, given the new quizmistress’s recent viduity, is this caption really in the very best of taste?
We have just heard that critic and opera fan Stephanie von Buchau has died.
La Cieca has only recently been able to catch up with the excellent programs produced by some of her podcasting compatriots. A particular delight is Handelmania, produced by the inimitable (and prolific!) Charlie Handelman. Each show is a virtual master class in the art of the recorded voice, and the current holiday-themed show is no…
Anna Netrebko again. Oddly, the aria is not “Da, chas nastal!”
Remember that prediction that La Cieca made about how Renee Fleming would bring her Norma into New York? Turns out that may have been inaccurate. (Yes, you have every right to be shocked and amazed. This is surely a first.) Yes, La Cieca hears, the Met is planning a production of the Bellini masterpiece, but…
“Tony Danza will play Max Bialystock in the Broadway production of The Producers starting Dec. 19.” — Playbill News On the stage of The ProducersMamma mia, I had a shock!Was that really Tony DanzaPlaying Max Bialystock?On the stage of The ProducersMamma mia, I had a shock!Was that really Tony DanzaPlaying Max Bialystock?Was that really Tony…
Roberto Alagna appeared on an Italian talk show this evening to explain (once again) his side of the walkout. The host is Pippo Baudo, the ex Mr. Katia Ricciarelli.
Join La Cieca on the evening of Thursday, December 21 for a live chat about the world premiere of Tan Dun‘s The First Emperor. The chat room will open for this special event at 7:30 p.m. and the yakking will continue until the final curtain. Check back at parterre.com on Thursday for a link to…
You may well be surprised to hear La Cieca say this, cher public, but she’s bellowing a lusty “brava” to none other than Renee Fleming. On yesterday’s matinee Met broadcast of Rigoletto, Fleming took on a role associated with Geraldine Farrar, that of intermission commentatress. One of the first questions she lobbed at Joseph Calleja…
You asked for it, cher public: the Renee Fleming dance remix.
Poorish quality video, but the soundtrack is familiar.
Tell us: Filth or dementia?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
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