Infection
Tonight’s performance of Don Carlo at the Bolshoi Opera has been canceled because bass Ildar Abdrazakov has tested positive for COVID-19.
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.
A successful designer must be a gambler
Born on this day in 1890 designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
La Damnation de Faust
Starring Susan Graham, Marcello Giordani and John Relyea, conducted by James Levine. From November 22, 2008.
Platée
Jean-Paul Fouchécourt is an irresistibly self-absorbed sea-nymph in Rameau’s Platée which also features a dazzling star-turn by Mireille Delunsch as La Folie.
If we shadows have offended
Born on this day in 1873 opera and stage director Max Reinhardt.
Roméo et Juliette
Starring Diana Damrau, Vittorio Grigolo, Elliot Madore and Mikhail Petrenko, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. From January 21, 2017.
Teach me tonight
Virtual vocal coach Karen takes on the lean, lovely, lustrous larynx of Dusty Pörn.
Lakmé
One of Mariella Devia‘s earliest New York successes: Delibes’s Lakmé with Nicolai Gedda and Paul Plishka.
Manon
Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala and Paulo Szot star in this performance conducted by Fabio Luisi. Transmitted live on April 7, 2012.
La jolie fille de Perth
In tribute to soprano Christiane Eda-Pierre, who died September 5.
Happy Labor Day!
Here’s ineffable Lainie Kazan, putting the “MDA” in the MDA Labor Day Telethon.
The Tempest
Starring Audrey Luna, Isabel Leonard, Iestyn Davies, Alek Shrader, Alan Oke, William Burden, Toby Spence and Simon Keenlyside, conducted by Thomas Adès. From November 10, 2012.
7 Deaths of Maria Callas
An opera project by Marina Abramovic (2020) from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
Porgy and Bess
Starring Angel Blue, Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Eric Owens, Alfred Walker and Donovan Singletary, conducted by David Robertson. From February 1, 2020.
La Voix humaine
Barbara Hannigan sings Poulenc’s monodrama led by Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Lulu
Starring Marlis Petersen, Susan Graham, Daniel Brenna, Paul Groves, Johan Reuter and Franz Grundheber, conducted by Lothar Koenigs. From November 21, 2015.
Billy Budd
“Peter Mattei, one of my two favorite baritones these days, in an unexpected title role, Britten’s Billy Budd.”
Nixon in China
Starring Kathleen Kim, Janis Kelly, Robert Brubaker, Russell Braun, James Maddalena and Richard Paul Fink, conducted by John Adams. From February 12, 2011.
The triumph of the Undiva
Renée Fleming garnered a most un-unvdivaesque flurry of pageviews in August.
Vanessa
Samuel Barber’s gothic melodrama starring the great Carol Vaness.
Peter Grimes
Starring Patricia Racette, Anthony Dean Griffey and Anthony Michaels-Moore, conducted by Donald Runnicles. From March 15, 2008.
Wozzeck
In lieu of the geoblocked COVID Fan Tutte, here’s Berg’s Wozzeck featuring the incongruously glamorous Karita Mattila and Sir Simon Keenlyside as the doomed couple conducted by Sir Mark Elder.
Elektra
Starring Nina Stemme, Adrianne Pieczonka, Waltraud Meier, Burkhard Ulrich and Eric Owens, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. From April 30, 2016.
Oedipus Rex
In consonance with the Met’s evening programming this week of “20th Century and Beyond” works, we are proud to offer for your afternoon listening discussion Stravinsky’s opera-oratorio whatever-it-is featuring Jessye Norman.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
