December 2009
So the question was raised (on opera-l, actually, but La Cieca doesn’t mind discussing it in more downmarket venues): in Luc Bondy‘s production of Tosca, Karita Mattila appears in the third act in an entirely new outfit, a sort of tailored trenchcoat of dark leather-like fabric, but whatever she’s wearing, isn’t is a mistake?
Here’s a rare glimpse of those bad old days at the (then) New York State Theater, before tens of millions of dollars were spent installing a sound enhancement system, ripping a sound enhancement system, and finally doing an acoustic overhaul. Note how distant and “small” the voices sounded back in 1976.
Here’s the place to stay warm and to discuss this afternoon’s broadcast of Les Contes d’Hoffmann, starting at 1:00 pm.
Last-minute holiday shopping needn’t be a bother if you’ll remember to drop by La Cieca’s Little Shop of Arias.
La Cieca (not pictured) expects to see you all online tomorrow (Saturday) beginning at 12:45 pm for a chat on the subject of the Met’s broadcast of Les Contes d’Hoffmann. And those of you who feel in a musico-satirico-politico-holiday mood Monday evening will surely want to drop by Cafe Iguana for the premiere of chanteuse/FOJJ Dorothy…
James Levine was too ill Wednesday night to conduct Les Contes d’Hoffmann, sending on John Keenan in his place. That same night PBS telecast a performance of Tosca taped earlier this fall which Joseph Colaneri had to take over for the injured Levine.
An appropriately ginormous discussion of Elektra and other operatic matters at that place where the cool kids hang out, The Awl.
La Cieca (pictured) asks you to join her for a journey to a parallel universe where many of the things you see and hear will be familiar to you, whilst other details will seem so bizarre as to seem the merest raving of a lunatic. (This last role, a bit but a juicy one, will by…
“Satisfy your sweet tooth with an hour full of can’t-miss Christmas cookie recipes! Bake brownies topped with festive green sprinkles with rapper Snoop Dogg… and prepare scrumptious spritz sugar cookies with soprano Renee Fleming.” [The Martha Stewart Show]
The Met’s controversial Tosca will be telecast tonight at 9:00 pm on Channel 13 here in NYC and in various other cities as well. (Check your local listings.) For those of you on the Channel 13 schedule, here’s the place to chat.
Today we learned about some interesting developments in the never-ending redesign of Lincoln Center. The new David Rubenstein Atrium, which opens tomorrow, will soon feature a discount ticket booth where day-of-show reduced price tickets can be had for up to 50% off the regular price!
La Cieca proposes an “experimental” chat tonight during the PBS/Channel 13 showing of Tosca as recorded at the Met earlier this year. The telecast begins at 9:00, and La Cieca would like to try out the coveritlive chat interface during the show. (So be here around 9:00 pm, ready to comment…)
In celebration of the 239th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven (thanks, Camille!) La Cieca invites the cher public to share their favorite versions of the “Abscheulicher!” from Fidelio — or, for that matter, other personal Beethoven faves. La Cieca’s pick after the jump.
“It’s no spoiler to reveal that, at the end of Hansel and Gretel, the kids defeat the witch. In the Met’s production of Humperdinck’s fairy-tale opera, the singers of the title roles steal the show, as well.” [NY POST]
Get your Heckelphon on tonight, when the Met broadcasts this evening’s Elektra live, starting at 8pm on Sirius Radio. Sirius Score German Libretto Enjoy and discuss!
A recent production of Il Trittico, recorded in Modena, was originally published on DVD by TDK two years ago. However, its new release on Blu-ray — along with the attention this Puccini masterpiece has received thanks to a handful of recent high-profile productions — has prompted me to take another look. Although this video was…
Which famous family may be first in line to attend the Met’s Hansel and Gretel next week?
My latest assignment from our doyenne has been to explore two of the many small opera companies pullulating around New York City. Some of these ensembles last l’espace d’un matin, while others have been enjoying a longer, healthier life.
“As for Elektra — one of the most strenuous of opera roles — the Met seemed to have settled for a singer who could survive the ordeal.” [NY Post]
In an unexpected bonus round of “This Diva Looks Like That Diva,” conspiracy theorists will surely puzzle over the eerily similar headshots of these two New York Post columnists.
“A-list stars Anne Hathaway and Penélope Cruz are rumoured to be in talks about taking the lead role in a joint British and Italian venture that will focus on the singer’s tempestuous relationship with the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.” [The Guardian]
As anotherjj was quick to deduce, the lady in the kitchenette was indeed Cio-Cio-San. La Cieca will note in passing that she searched through perhaps three dozen productions of Madama Butterfly until she could find one that didn’t immediately give the game away. No matter where one goes, the Japanese Tragedy is going to feature…
According to an Angela Gheorghiu fansite (and what more reliable source could La Cieca ask?), the raven-tressed diva stated in an interview on Romanian television that she and current husband Roberto Alagna have no current plans to change their current matrimonial status.
Have you heard the most recent update on the Franco Zeffirelli outburst earlier this week at the Rome Opera?
Tell us: Filth or dementia?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
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