parterre box

La Cieca is delighted to learn that “the New York City Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO, have reached agreement on a new collective bargaining contract, helping to ensure City Opera’s continuing place in the forefront of American opera,” according to a press release from the NYCO.

Since Alan Gordon and George Steel so ably brought to fruition what at one point seemed a hopeless project, La Cieca suggests that now they lend their persuasive talents to the cause of health care reform.

Of course, there were also setbacks along the road to success. During a performance of “La Traviata” in Genoa conducted by Bonynge, the audience roundly booed tenor Lamberto Furlan to the point that the conductor and his wife, who had personally picked Furlan for the role, left the stage and refused to complete the performance.

Hear Mr. Furlan after the jump. Read more »

La Cieca is delighted to announce the addition of a new feature to our little site by the utterly estimable Nick Scholl. From this point onward, cher public, you will be empowered to embed YouTube videos in the comments section. (Up until now, you could insert a link, but now, the actual video will appear in your comment.) Instructions on how to accomplish this feat follow the jump. Read more »