May 2009
Congratulations to Stephen Llewellyn, grand prize winner of The Omniscient Mussel‘s #operaplot competition, as adjudicated by Danielle De Niese. Stephen’s plot synopsis read: There was a young lady called Fricka Who…who…*snore* “Wake up – it’s over.” It’s good, I just wish it were quicka. La Cieca is particularly impressed with Stephen’s brevity: in fact, at…
Meanwhile, in Zürich, Vesselina Kasarova stars in The Alessandra Marc Story. And in other “this diva/that diva” news, Tyne Daly is now doing a one-woman show on the life of Eileen Farrell.
It’s been rumored, but you know how La Cieca feels about rumors. Anyway, here’s some solid proof that Joseph Calleja has been engaged for the Met’s new production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann set for a December 3, 2009 opening.
One reason why (in La Cieca’s opinion) the Met’s Ring was long overdue for replacement. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ZbGw3A9Dg-Q” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
La Cieca received this letter yesterday. If you have reviews, opinion pieces, appreciations, or (as in this case) a Letter to the Doyenne, please email to [email protected]. Saving New York City Opera?
Belated birthday greetings to Giulietta Simionato, still going strong at 99. The following video is from 1964, only two years before her retirement — after a career spanning almost four decades.
In what must be regarded as the season’s most startling volte-face, next month the New York City Opera will perform opera. As part of the River to River Festival, the company will present a tab version of The Magic Flute, Massenet’s La Navarraise and a concert of the usual pops stuff. Performances June 25-27 will…
Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of American dramatic soprano and pedagogue Margaret Harshaw. Margaret Harshaw as Brünnhilde Götterdämmerung – Immolation Scene. George Szell, conductor, Cleveland Orchestra. Recorded November 1, 1956 in Severance Hall, Cleveland.
Out Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, profiled in today’s NYT for his friendly arm-twisting tactics in support of New York’s bill to legalize same-sex marriage, is not only the brother of Rosie O’Donnell, but also the partner of John Banta, who has probably the most festive title of anyone who doesn’t work directly with Issac Mizrahi. Banta…
Cher public, it took you 105 tries, but finally Hans Lick came up with the answer to our most recent Regie puzzler: Mitridate, Re di Ponto. More gritty realism, or at least more grit, infuses our next mystery production.Â
Reflecting on NYCO’s recent raid on its endowment, blogger David Curry writes about “what we might term ‘reasonable transparency’ when Board actions potentially compromise a nonprofit’s operating viability. Of particular interest (to La Cieca anyway) is Curry’s account of his communication (if that is not too strong a word) with Pascal Nadon, the NYCO’s Director…
La Cieca (through her lovely surrogates Jeanette MacDonald and Jane Powell) wish all her cher public and all their dear mothers the joy (?) of this day!
“Local favourite, bass Robert Pomakov was an energetic Bottom…” [via Toronto Star]
Twice the negativity from La Cieca apparently works out to something positive, or at least an affirmation of the status quo. Which is to say, according to a source fairly close to the Met, the Robert Lepage production of the Ring is still on. The less than rapturous reception last week at the presentation to…
Those of you who have been following the AGMA/NYCO rowdydow may be interested to hear that the labor union is also in touch with its members in regard to attempts at cost-cutting at the Met. La Cieca has learned from an AGMA member that Peter Gelb has recently written a letter to Met artists asking…
La Cieca has managed to get her hands on some top-secret rehearsal footage of Robert Lepage‘s Ring production. No wonder Peter Gelb wants to keep this under wraps!
“Garanca gave us all the notes, but none of the volts.” Our Own JJ reviews the Met’s revival of La cenerentola in the New York Post.
La Cieca was listening to Jon Frederic West singing the Forging Song just now, you know? And she was curious about JFW’s current schedule, so she clicked on his page on the Guy Barzilay Artists Management page… and heard the Forging Song in canon!
Natalie Dessay crosses over with Michel Legrand. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/x7VyXKAvNV0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] This clip is one of a number of “Perle Nere” selections (including some classic filth) to be found on YouTube channel The Cucumber Masked. (For the record, your doyenne will state that she thinks the inclusion of Rolando Villazón material at this…
A crestfallen member of the cher public forwards to La Cieca this disheartening announcement from John Banta, Director of Special Events for the Met: Thank you for your interest in attending the Metropolitan Opera’s Sneak Peek of the New RING Production on Friday, May 8th at 3:15pm. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, we have…
La Cieca hears that John Relyea has been named the recipient of the fourth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. The bass was presented with the accolade in his dressing room last night before his performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola.
Gutsy Gary Lehman just jumped into the Met’s Walküre in mid-performance, subbing for an ailing Plácido Domingo. La Cieca’s spy on the scene reports that Domingo sang the line “Tief in des Busens Berge glimmt nur noch lichtlose Glut” and exited stage left. Adrianne Pieczonka then entered from right with her line “Schläfst du, Gast?”…
Earlier today, NYCO’s George Steel fired back in what is apparently escalating into a war of words with AGMA honcho Alan Gordon. In an email to “the [New York City] Opera family” obtained by parterre.com, Steel seeks “to address [AGMA’s] misleading statements” while reminding AGMA members that he and NYCO “remain committed for our part…
Tell us: Filth or dementia?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
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