La Cieca figures if Adelaida Negri can make a comeback, so can your doyenne. Read more »
History repeating, indeed — and rather recent history at that!
Following the jump, snippets of all the tracks on the new “Verismo” album, as performed by America’s Soprano. Read more »
La Cieca’s curiosity is always aroused when a journalist probes with really penetrating questions. For example, how long is too long? Is bigger always better? And which is more satisfying: cut or uncut? That’s the thrust of Tony Tommasini’s hard-hitting column in today’s NYT.
Now, if you’re ejaculating, “This thing looks familiar,” well, that’s about the size of it, because it’s a retooled version of a 2000 piece:
Later in the act, Walther sees Eva and, overcome, sings his song for her straight through. This somewhat spoils the effect of the song in the third act, where it should come upon Eva, and the mastersingers who are judging the contest, as a revelation. You could argue that the first performance is private and the second, more lavishly orchestrated one is public. My guess is that Wagner knew he had a hit tune here and could not help milking it.
Now, La Cieca believes in turning a gimlet eye on everyone and everything, you know that. But even your doyenne finds this latest Zinta Lundborg screed, well, harsh is the only word.
… the company’s funereal new logo is a black circle, which evokes thoughts of the deficit or even oblivion. Presenting four performances of “Esther,” starting on Nov. 7, won’t help matters.
A loud work by Hugo Weisgall about the Biblical queen, “Esther” was heard at City Opera in 1993, winning over few fans ….
In the 1950s and 1960s, European immigrants with intellectual tastes supported the company.
They are dead now, as dead as “Esther.”
More from Ms. Lundborg (whose name, by the way, is an anagram for “a burnt old zing”) at Bloomberg.com.
Preseason puffery has commenced for the Met’s 2009 opening night production of Tosca, to star that noted brunette Karita Mattila. A release from the company’s press office today details the various ancillary events associated with the September 21 performance, including the first “Open House” of the season (i.e., the final dress rehearsal on September 17 at 11 a.m.), HD video relays in Lincoln Center Plaza and Times Square, broadcasts on Sirius and XM satellite radio and web radio streaming via metopera.org.
Devotees of New York City street art will be delighted to hear that the Met intends to “blanket buses and phone kiosks with images of Karita Mattila… photographed by Brigitte Lacombe” beginning August 31. Read more »
La Cieca wishes her cher public a joyous and safe St. Bartholomew’s Day. Read more »
“Opera singer” Katherine Jenkins has been insured against getting swine flu. [Wales Online]
Cher Public