La Cieca
“Why on earth was an American singer (admittedly a good one, James Creswell) imported to undertake the minimal challenge of Timur? ENO must try harder to cast British.” [Telegraph]
By La Cieca
La Cieca sat in on the “Cognitive Theater” discussion tonight at the New York Public Library, and the main impression she came away with is that Patrice Chéreau is a very quiet, soft-spoken man who happens to be a genius. (She was expecting something more fiery, but like many of the great divas, it seems…
By La Cieca
According to Opera Chic, the Alagnas will announce their plans to divorce tomorrow. (That is, they will make an announcement tomorrow; the actual proceedings are likely a little farther down the road.) You may remember that La Cieca hinted at this sad eventuality several months ago. [UPDATE: As noted in the comments below, Alagna is…
By La Cieca
… and, by the way, an interesting contrast between a “great” conductor of today and a routinier from four decades ago. Carlo Guelfi (with Gatti) 2009 Giangiacomo Guelfi (with Rescigno) 1969
By La Cieca
La Cieca is looking for members of the cher public who are planning to see either the HD of Tosca on Saturday or the Rosenkavalier prima on Tuesday, and who are willing to write a reaction/critique. Write to her at lacieca@parterre.com. [UPDATE: Lots of volunteers for the HD, thanks! La Cieca still wants to hear…
By La Cieca
La Cieca has a review coming (slowly) of the new Decca DVD of Der Rosenkavalier, but while we’re waiting, here are some clips from the telecast upon which this release is based. Feel free to discuss while La Cieca continues to scribble.
By La Cieca
According to a press release from the Met, “Sondra Radvanovsky and Julianna Di Giacomo will sing the role of Lina in Verdi’s Stiffelio, replacing Angela Marambio who has withdrawn. Sondra Radvanovsky sings the performances on January 11, 14, and 30 matinee, and Julianna Di Giacomo those on January 19, 23 and 26. Both will be…
By La Cieca
La Cieca thinks that Marcelo Àlvarez should be reminded that he is a tenor, and nobody is really interested in a tenor’s views on theology. And even if he doesn’t know better than to badmouth an ongoing production at a theater that presumably is (or anyway was) contemplating offering him future contracts — he is…
By La Cieca
The subject of the controversy: that most insidious and invasive attack on American culture since fluoridation or women’s suffrage, operatic stage direction. The conspirators: the ilk of Peter Gelb, Patrice Chéreau, Luc Bondy and Bartlett Sher, “instigated” by Paul Holdengräber. The meeting place: that hotbed of radical thought the New York Public Library (Fifth Avenue at…
By La Cieca
No, the following passage not from any goddamn Warner Brothers epic and it’s not from any thirties musical starring little Miss Alice Faye. But what’s it from? Wer lässt hier Aufruhrstimmen, Kriegsruf ertönen, wollt Ihr die Götter zwingen, Eurem Wahnwitz zu fröhnen? Wer wagt vermessen, gleich der Prophetin der Zukunft Nacht zu lichten, wollt Ihr…
By La Cieca
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By La Cieca
How exactly is a reporter for Bloomberg News supposed to take sides in a controversy between Peter Gelb and Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees? Philip Boroff must feel like Mime, waiting for Fafner to kill Siegfried, Siegfried to kill Fafner, or, ideally, a bit of both. (And how on point…
By La Cieca
The New York City Opera, “in response to demand for tickets to its long-awaited revival production of Hugo Weisgall’s Esther,” New York City Opera has added an additional performance of the Lauren Flanigan twelve-toner on Tuesday, November 17 at 8:00pm. Tickets are available at the David H. Koch Theater Box Office in a Box…
By La Cieca
La Cieca has managed to obtain this exclusive snippet from the camera rehearsal for Saturday afternoon’s Met HD telecast. Note the “Hitchcock” influence in the cinematography. (Extra points for the first member of the cher public to detect La Cieca’s cameo appearance!)
By La Cieca
JJ reviews the Met’s current revivals of Aïda and Il barbiere di Siviglia in the New York Post. Meanwhile, the Times leads with the boos.
By La Cieca
First things first: congratulations to lorenzo.venezia who recognized Rigoletto in that crinoline. And now: who are all these people, and why are they having such a good time?
By La Cieca
La Cieca welcomes suggestions for a caption to this photograph. (Catherine Ashmore, Royal Opera)
By La Cieca
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…
By La Cieca
Which diva has been dicking around the presenters of that gala by refusing to decide on a single thing: what she’ll sing, whom she’ll sing with, or even whether she’ll sing at all?
By La Cieca
That little Pinkerton brat is all grown up — and now he’s formed his own opera company.
By La Cieca
Just a note from La Cieca (right) to you, cher public (not pictured), to remind you that the usual prima chat will transpire here tomorrow night beginning at 7:45 pm during the Met broadcast of Aïda. Check back here at that time for the chat-related post.
By La Cieca
