May 2009

the gay science

[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/5MXWXJTr9Uw” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] La Cieca understands that Francesca Zambello is very smart about things like myths and technology and conspicuous consumption and disempowered women. But would totallly kill her to get an independent queer eye to take a quick look at the clothes in her new Siegfried production? Is there any Heldentenor…

a million here, a million there

Don’t go saying George Steel‘s opera company is broke, you hear? 

pardon my gush

Scott Cantrell has a brand new metaphor, and he’s not going to let it slip through his fingers. “Daniel Okulitch is hardly the libretto’s ‘scrawny little S.O.B.’ But, with a warmly oiled bass-baritone, he captures Joseph’s tenderness toward his mother as surely as his hostility and fear.” “Nathan Gunn is the cast’s standout, an Alec…

ring can really hang you up the most

“Instead of pondering moral issues, the audience marvels that styrofoam can be made to look so much like granite.”  Our Own JJ reviews the Met’s Ring in the New York Post. For the convenience of the cher public, La Cieca will point out that the Post has a section for comments following the review.

metplayer listening orgy, day two

Following is the schedule for the Sunday afternoon/evening listening/viewing marathon. Chat away in the comments section, cher public!

separated at midlife?
scruffsucht

[kml_flashembed movie=”http://tr.youtube.com/v/VObRMs2QYMk” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

metplayer listening orgy, part the first

Cue up your MetPlayer for a 3:00 pm start for La sonnambula (Broadcast March 30, 1963). You are invited to discuss this performance in the comments section below.

intermission feature: the other other boleyn girl

Something to enjoy during the between Cav/Pag and the 3:00 pm kickoff time for Sonnambulathis afternoon. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ro6kC07cDn0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

back in the saddle again!

Resilient soprano Christine Brewer has made a quick recovery from her knee injury, La Cieca hears. The soprano, missed so sorely this season in the Met’s Ring, will return to the stage tomorrow night for a performance of the Verdi Requiem with the Santa Fe Symphony. Ms. Brewer is jumping in (if that is the…

good girl

The Met’s season premiere of La Cenerentola. Discuss. Listen at 8:00 pm on Sirius or RealNetworks.

pur tanto lusso?

For those of you who care to continue the fracas, here’s more of Anna Netrebko‘s recent Violetta. Madamigella Valery? Vladimir Stoyanov is the Germont and Marco Armiliato conducts.

unorthodox crossover

Opera Chic caught it first, but this video deserves to be seen again and again. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/PCn5osoQK_k” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

the metplayer weekend

Cher public, here’s the schedule for group listening/viewing of the MetPlayer on Saturday and Sunday: