In the well-reasoned words of Strephon, “Perruques and puffs. Rococo frou-frou seen through a 19th Century sensibility” must indicate Mignon. Director Jean-Louis Benoit staged the sentimental classic in sets by Laurent Peduzzi and costumes by Thibaut Welchlin at the Opéra Comique.
The chat for today’s much-anticipated broadcast of Tosca chat will begin at 12:30, in preparation for the 1:00 start time. Read more »
The real problem with opera today, according to Marcelo “Mouth of the South” Àlvarez? Could it be tubby tenors with teeny voices? Actually, no. The problem is… blogs. Read more »
Live chat at for tonight’s Fliegende Holländer at the usual place.
Those among the cher public inclined toward philanthropy and/or star-gazing will want to check out the details on a gala fundraising dinner and concert for the Marcello Giordani Foundation on May 7. The evening will feature performances from young singers and a litotic “Lifetime Achievement Award” presented to Magda Olivero (in virtual attendance via videoconferencing from her home in Milano) by parterre fave Aprile Millo. [Marcello Giordani Foundation]
The very first clip was uploaded to the revolutionary video-sharing site only five years ago today!
“I agree that Gelb has had problems actually identifying what’s going to make a successful production. But I submit that the real problem is exactly the same problem the Met had under Gelb’s predecessor, Joe Volpe: not that the company engages unusual directors, but that it doesn’t let them actually do what they’re good at. Gelb seems to me to have the same micromanaging side that Volpe did: the side that would see something unusual in a new production, get nervous about it, and try to rein it in.” [The Classical Beat]
Is anyone else as amazed as I am by the following remark in the New Yorker‘s capsule item on Armida: “…an exquisite ballet fetchingly choreographed by Graciela Daniele“?
Cher Public