The novel opens with a lengthy discussion of the opera in the format of an email from an opera lover to a less-enlightened friend, and characters are forever discussing the opera, saying things like “You don’t ‘check out’ Tristan. You become it.”
Two versions, and it’s hard to say which one is more revolting, of one of the least savory moments in the life of Leonard Bernstein. Read more »
A brace of profiles in the March issue of Opera News engage the reader in a fascinating game of “the same, but different.” Simon Keenlyside and Paulo Szot are both baritones; both handsome, sexy men; and they’re both adept in classical and more modern musical theater forms. Both gentlemen are starring in new productions at the Met this spring, too. So… what is it that sets these two fellows apart? Read more »
La Cieca should know by now that any think piece that kicks off with the locution “I have from time to time wrestled with this conundrum” is just going to piss her off and she should just close the tab. But she didn’t, and this is what she found a little lower down (in more than one sense of the word):
Congratulations and best wishes to newly wed couple Ira Siff and Hans Pieter Heijnis, who were married Saturday in a politically-charged ceremony in Amsterdam. [via Reuters]
Gay activists say they were attacked last weekend by members of the orchestra and the security staff of the Greek National Opera during a demonstration over a production of Rusalka. Members of the orchestra had voted not to play the opera in protest against a scene in which two male characters were to kiss. The musicians handed out leaflets complaining that this kissing scene “tainted the central hero with homosexual tendencies.” [via Teacher Dude's Grill and BBQ]
According to the blog AfterElton.com, Tony Award-winning barihunk Paulo Szot “is an out gay man.” Writer Brian Juergens says the blog “contacted his publicist and were told that yes, he is gay, and we’re welcome to say as much.”
Cher Public