Happy Birthday Maestro Wenarto Happy Birthday Maestro Wenarto

Still going strong after (approximately) 1,500 YouTube appearances, Our Own Maestro Wenarto celebrates the anniversary of his birth today.

on February 21, 2012 at 11:21 AM

To think, if I’d had a kid instead, he could be out there supporting me now, or at least off at college smoking dope and getting laid.

on December 03, 2011 at 12:01 AM

The diva, soon to open the Met season in Anna Bolena, marks the Four Oh milestone today.

on September 18, 2011 at 12:05 AM

Congratulations to the composer (Two Boys, Dark Sisters) and blogger on this day of transition from Wunderkind to Wundererwachsener. (Photo by Sam West)

on August 26, 2011 at 10:54 AM

La Cieca wishes you happiness today, her 35th birthday. Or, to put it more accurately, the 35th anniversary of the day La Cieca was “born,” hearing Suor Angelica sung by Renata Scotto (not pictured).

on May 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM

The Bronx Nightingale is 81 today!

on May 04, 2011 at 11:08 AM

The iconic American soprano was born April 14, 1958.

on April 14, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Everyone’s dream tenor was born April 8, 1921.

on April 08, 2011 at 8:40 AM

The very best wishes to the ultimate prima donna on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of her birth! 

on March 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM

La Cieca thought she could omit birthday greetings for la Scotto this year since there was a big mention of the diva earlier this week, but the emails, IMs and, for all La Cieca knows, telegrams have been pouring in all day demanding a salute. And far be it from La Cieca to refuse the…

on February 24, 2011 at 5:07 PM

“The People’s Diva,” who brought so much darkness and so much hope to us in 2010, is 52 years young today!

on February 14, 2011 at 3:23 PM

The evergreen American diva was born February 10, 1927.

on February 10, 2011 at 12:05 AM

Many happy returns to two big-voiced, big-haired sopranos who are still very much with us!

on February 02, 2011 at 11:03 AM

The golden-voiced gay icon was born 89 years ago today.

on February 01, 2011 at 1:05 PM

Der Rosenkavalier is exactly 100 years old today, a century after the world premiere of the Strauss/Hofmannsthal comedy at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden. La Cieca invites the cher public to share favorite Rosenkavalier memories and YouTube clips.

on January 26, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Best birthday wishes to pirate supreme, premier podcaster and archivist of the musical sublime and ridiculous. (See below.)

on January 21, 2011 at 12:43 PM

The opera composer and bon vivant was born December 22, 1858. 

on December 22, 2010 at 10:12 AM

The Bulgarian diva was born December 15, 1934.

on December 15, 2010 at 12:15 AM

La Cieca’s favorite Puccini opera premiered exactly 100 years ago tonight!

on December 10, 2010 at 12:50 PM

La Divina was born on (or about) December 3, 1923.

on December 03, 2010 at 12:20 PM

The prolific “Swan of Bergamo” (as he is almost never called) was born November 29, 1797. 

on November 29, 2010 at 10:33 AM

The Austrian dramatic soprano was born November 14, 1926.

on November 14, 2010 at 1:36 PM

The spectacular dramatic soprano was born 74 years ago today in Pontnewynydd, Wales. She is seen below in one of her less familiar (though no less effective) roles, Hanna in Die Lustige Witwe.

on November 07, 2010 at 11:39 AM

Were the Swan of Catania as immortal as his melodies, he would be would be 209 years old today! Admirers of the “King of Cantilena” are invited to follow La Cieca’s example and post YouTube clips of favorite Bellini morceaux. 

on November 03, 2010 at 11:43 AM