March 2010
Patricia Racette will sing the title role in Puccini’s Tosca on April 14, 17, 20, and 24 matinee, replacing Karita Mattila, “who is ill” — this just in from the Met’s press office.
This production, though obvious Regie fodder, looks far too interesting to wait for our regular Sunday night quiz! Video after the jump.
“Angela Gheorghiu‘s triumph in La Traviata Monday night at the Met was a searing reminder of why we go to opera in the first place.” [NY Post] Photo: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera
La Cieca breathlessly offers you a sneak preview of one of this spring’s most eagerly awaited CDs.
Recently denasaled bass-baritone Paulo Szot returns to South Pacific at the Vivian Beaumont tomorrow. [Broadwayworld.com]
According to Anne Midgette, baritone Carlos Alvarez has withdrawn from Washington National Opera’s production of Hamlet, to be replaced by Michael Chioldi and Liam Bonner, with their individual dates TBA. [The Classical Beat]
“Diva! The very word evokes tantrums, unreasonable demands — and the wrath of Aretha Franklin denied her Snickers bar.” Our Own JJ (not pictured) discusses divadom with Angela Gheorghiu in the New York Post.
Boy, this review practically writes itself. I’ve heard Jonas Kaufmann’s Alfredo live and was duly impressed, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this recording. All I can say about Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner (Decca 4781463), to be released April 6, 2010, is that it went straight to both…
Well done, Lindoro Almaviva, for not only guessing the opera but pinpointing the correct scenes and characters in Idomeneo! The production is by Ivo van Hove for La Monnaie.) And now for something completely less minimal.
You know La Cieca’s two favorite things in the world are French grand opera and ham, so how could she miss the chance to host a chat on so rare an occasion as today’s Met broadcast of Hamlet? The chat begins at 1:00 pm, and the details are after the jump.
My tolerance for 17th century opera is generally low, but even I can appreciate the value in an underappreciated composer like Francesco Cavalli.
La Cieca (not pictured) invites you, her group mind, to help her sort out the following conundrum.
When I saw this CD was coming out my first thought was, “Why?” We already have brilliant recordings of “Die Schöne Müllerin” from artists like Fritz Wunderlich, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, et. al.
Happiest 100th birthday greetings to the legendary Magda Olivero! In celebration, let’s enjoy a recital from December 13, 1977 in Dallas, Texas, with Ivan Davis, piano.
What ever would we do without YouTube?
2 Headstrong Singers + 1 Conductor Unfamiliar with the Score = 1 Lost Cause?
“The new avant-garde head of Madrid’s opera house, Gerard Mortier, Wednesday promised an ‘innovative’ first season in charge.” [AFP]
La Cieca has just heard that mezzo-soprano Blanche Thebom died this morning at the age of 91. Her 22 year career at the Met included over 350 performances.
A couple of glimpses of the last Ring cycle Wolfgang Wagner directed before turning over the Regie reins to Patrice Chéreau.
Early reports indicate that Rolando Villazón was back in form last night for his return to the stage in L’elisir d’amore at the Vienna Stage Opera.
According to first reports, Rolando Villazón enjoyed a much-applauded success earlier this evening at the Vienna State Opera as Nemorino, his first staged opera performance in almost a year.
Since James Levine‘s back is flaring up again and he has canceled BSO performances through April 5, how about a group-mind experiment in predicting what the rest of the maestro’s Met season will be like?
The legendary Kunstdiva was born March 22, 1912.
The grandson of Richard Wagner, chief of the Bayreuth Festival from 1951-2008 and director of a dozen productions, died Sunday. He was 90. [Monsters and Critics]
Tell us: Filth or dementia?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
×
Sign up for Parterre’s free newsletter.
Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, and top reads
delivered to your email weekly…ish.