Legendary soprano Sena Jurinac, one of the most beloved artists at the Vienna State Opera, died yesterday. She was 90. [via AP] Read more »
La Cieca hears that the premiere of a new production may be marred. The reason? The company might have to perform the Paris version of this opera.
Giovanni Simone Mayr was one of the most important musical figures of his day, a man Rossini referred to as the “father of Italian opera” whom Napoleon personally lobbied to come work in Paris. Though he wrote nearly 70 operas and taught Donizetti and Bellini, the Bavarian-born composer had the misfortune of hitting his peak in the era between Mozart and Beethoven, just as the bel canto movement was opening up new musical and dramatic possibilities. By the 1830s, with operas like Norma the rage, Mayr was slipping out of favor, viewed as something of a fusty relic even in his adopted homeland of [...]
Slim British tenor Ian Bostridge arrives in town for a recital on November 28 featuring Thomas Adès‘ “Darknesse Visible,” as well as the work upon which it “reflects,” the John Dowland song “In darkness let me dwell,” as a sort of prelude to an evening of Heinrich Heine settings including the Dichterliebe. And you, cher public, have a chance to attend the concert as a guest of Carnegie Hall!
“…to a certain degree, good critics are no longer necessary to find. The phrase ‘Everybody’s a critic’ has taken on a universal cast. The internet encourages people to share their opinions with the world. In the theatre, the buzz created by chatroom chatters has become increasingly important to a show’s reputation before it opens. There are thousands of critics tapping away their opinions to whoever will listen – so who needs a paid pontificator to tell you what your opinion should be?” Stephen Sondheim rebuts Michael Kaiser and ponders the utility of Sanskrit to the librettist in excerpts from his [...]
As the dear Marquise de Merteuil found out to her sorrow, the only worse than not being talked about was being talked about. But worst of all, cher public, is having no place to go for general interest and off-topic conversation. So here you are: your place to promenade during this week’ intermission.
Cher Public