In light of all the recent discussion of Norma, La Cieca thought it would be interesting to listen to a great (and controversial) Druidess of the recent past.
The Norwegian dramatic soprano, often called “the voice of the century,” was born 115 years ago today. The hard-working singer became a sensation “overnight” when, after the first act of her Met debut as Sieglinde, she was hailed by intermission commentator Geraldine Farrar as a new star. Read more »
The birthday of our nation provides yet one more opportunity for “America’s Diva” Renée Fleming to demonstrate that she is indeed the Patti of our day.
No, not Adelina so much, more like Sandi. Read more »
The American conductor (about whom Wikipedia mildly says "There is some mystery surrounding his early life") was born in London on April 18, 1882... or perhaps 1887. Or was it Pomerania in 1889? Read more »
On this beautiful spring morning, La Cieca is delighted to announce to her cher public that she has uncovered yet another exclusive scoop. For you listening enjoyment on this last day of March, we present the next single to drop from the most talked-about operatic disc since Karita Mattila's! Read more »
Since Attila is in the forefront of our thoughts right now, and since the prima of the Met's production won't be broadcast, La Cieca thought it would be handy to have a Riccardo Muti performance of the Verdi work as a common point of reference. Read more »
When La Cieca's wrong, she's wrong. She really had no idea until today that Leontyne Price and Luciano Pavarotti shared the operatic stage any time besides that one-off Aida in San Francisco. But when confronted with proof in the form of an mp3, well, she's going to be the first to admit her error. Read more »
A new production of Verdi's Macbeth? At the Wiener Staatsoper? At a 192 Euro top? And this is what you get? Read more »
Cher Public