Gunn-free morning news zone
At Opera Philadelphia, baritone Jarrett Ott will replace Nathan Gunn as protagonist W.P. Inman for all five performances of Cold Mountain, February 5-14 at the Academy of Music.
La Cieca
James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.
Denise Duval 1921-2016
Soprano Denise Duval, muse to Francis Poulenc, died yesterday in Switzerland. She was 94.
Uomo non vidi mai
From the Met: “Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his performances in this season’s new production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut due to illness.”
Atre Furie, volate a me!
While legendary NYCO soprano Lauren Flanigan has, alas, not been singing very frequently lately, she recently has turned her laser-like focus to that other essential aspect of the diva’s job description, that of Raising Righteous Hell.
By La Cieca
Numi, pieta!
La Cieca is delighted (if that is the correct word) to note that, according to this photograph, the celebrated La Gran Scena Opera Co. di New York are reviving their beloved staging of Aida.
Must love dog
“You can’t imagine anyone else writing an opera that sounds like this one, though you devoutly wish someone would.”
The Good, the Bad and the Gockley
Even in San Francisco, actions speak louder than words.
“Never mind!”
“In the first place,” Human Weasel Norman Lebrecht helpfully clarified, “it was not a gay bar the director wanted but a miners’ bar.”
“In my spare time I do needlepoint, read, sculpt, take riding lessons and brush up on my knowledge of current events”
“How does Renée Fleming do it all? She’s smart. She takes Speed! The tiny blue diet pill you don’t have to be overweight to need.”
Para eso no hay que tener mucha vergüenza ni poca
La Cieca finds it difficult to imagine any more offbeat casting than the sublime Joyce DiDonato as “The Worst Singer in the World.”
Pierre Boulez 1925-2016
The composer and conductor died yesterday at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany. He was 90.
You’re behind, honey! Catch up, catch up!
“Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe returns to Carnegie Hall to lead an audience sing-along concert, Sing, America!
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…”
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.
Klyatvy byli skazany
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Yusif Eyvazov, who were married in Vienna just now.
Why the long face?
Dame Josephine Barstow (not pictured) is seeking planning permission to build a Malthouse Arabians stableyard.
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.”
Heldenreizerin
In addition to the dates noted by WindyCityOperaman, today also also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Birgit Nilsson.
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?
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.
Ice ice baby
Now, understand, this is the snippiest of snippets, but it is indeed the first hint of Anna Netrebko‘s Turandot!
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.”
80, girls, 80
The Met’s pilot program of octogenarian outreach looks to be a smashing success.
OONY way the wind blows
Continuing in its long and proud tradition of mystery and intrigue, Opera Orchestra of New York has announced a concert or some other sort of music-related event for May 4, 2016.