December 2015

To the rescue! To the rescue!

Those who enjoyed (at least aurally) the Met’s recent La Donna del Lago may be craving more of the master from Pesaro, so 2015’s final “Trove Thursday” presents Torvaldo e Dorliska.

on December 31, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Last of the Romans Last of the Romans

On this day in 535 Belisarius completed the conquest of Sicily.

on December 31, 2015 at 9:25 AM
And never brought to mind And never brought to mind

It would be generous to say that history comes alive on the operatic stage.

on December 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Send in the clown Send in the clown

On this day in 1927 Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari‘s opera Sly premiered at La Scala.  

on December 30, 2015 at 8:24 AM
E il ciel non ha più fulmini? E il ciel non ha più fulmini?

“Els tenors José Cura i Carl Tanner cantaran el rol d’Otello en l’òpera de Verdi en substitució d’Aleksandrs Antonenko…”

on December 29, 2015 at 4:42 PM
Small and funny and fine Small and funny and fine

The already legendary performance of that role of roles Madame Rose by the ineffable Imelda Staunton may now be seen on YouTube.

on December 29, 2015 at 3:55 PM
Klyatvy byli skazany Klyatvy byli skazany

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Yusif Eyvazov, who were married in Vienna just now.

on December 29, 2015 at 1:07 PM
Working girl Working girl

Born on this day in 1938 actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore.

on December 29, 2015 at 8:19 AM
Significant mother Significant mother

Fans of divas who sing 19th and 20th century opera may find themselves searching in vain for CDs to buy with this season’s gift cards, since their idols so rarely put out solo recitals these days.

on December 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Why the long face? Why the long face?

Dame Josephine Barstow (not pictured) is seeking planning permission to build a Malthouse Arabians stableyard.

on December 28, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Prendete questo fiore Prendete questo fiore

A much-loved diva overdue for this site is Anna Moffo.

on December 28, 2015 at 9:00 AM
All we are saying is give geese a chance All we are saying is give geese a chance

On this day in 1910 Engelbert Humperdinck’s “other” opera Königskinder premiered at the Met.

on December 28, 2015 at 8:00 AM
The grandest of drammers and jolly comedies The grandest of drammers and jolly comedies

On this day in 1927 the Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat premiered.

on December 27, 2015 at 11:13 AM
These old broads These old broads

Brian Kellow (not pictured) boasts, “Peggy Noonan, interviewed in last Sunday’s New York Times Book Review, mentioned that Can I Go Now? is on her nightstand.”

on December 26, 2015 at 1:05 PM
Women on the verge Women on the verge

On this day premiered three masterpieces of the primo ottocento: Anna Bolena in 1830, Norma in 1831 and Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835.

on December 26, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Heldenreizerin Heldenreizerin

In addition to the dates noted by WindyCityOperaman, today also also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Birgit Nilsson.

on December 25, 2015 at 9:59 AM
Inclusion Inclusion

On this day we at parterre box are always reminded of the heartwarming words of the immortal Hedda Hopper.

on December 25, 2015 at 9:39 AM
That wondrous rapture within your eyes That wondrous rapture within your eyes

On this day in 1928 the first broadcast of “The Voice of Firestone” was heard.

on December 24, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Ouvre tes yeux bleus Ouvre tes yeux bleus

Which soprano/tenor team won’t have to hunt very hard for a triumph on December 31. 2016, when the Met reunites them for a new production of Roméo et Juliette?

on December 23, 2015 at 11:26 AM
Dark of the moon Dark of the moon

“Dmitri Hvorostovsky has withdrawn from his upcoming performances of Verdi’s Il Trovatore—February 3, 6, 9, and 13 matinee—due to his ongoing treatment for a brain tumor. Juan Jesús Rodríguez will sing di Luna in these performances, making his Met debut.” So says the Met press office.

on December 23, 2015 at 11:15 AM
I Said Good Morning I Said Good Morning

On this day in 1958 A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green opened at the John Golden Theater, to run 38 performances.

on December 23, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Ice ice baby Ice ice baby

Now, understand, this is the snippiest of snippets, but it is indeed the first hint of Anna Netrebko‘s Turandot!

on December 22, 2015 at 2:34 PM
Bridled enthusiasm Bridled enthusiasm

“Only four could have betrayed her: one is dead, one loves her, one wants to own her. And one, she hopes, never thinks of her at all.”

on December 22, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Lucca who’s talking Lucca who’s talking

Happy 157th birthday Giacomo Puccini!

on December 22, 2015 at 9:22 AM