camp
Farà di capello al bravo uffizial
In anticipation of a full review, cher public is invited to weigh in on the lamentable perruque situation in this season’s new forza
She likes to stretch her wings
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aWR2b-5qNk
There is just one thing I need
Thank you, Jummy Jonas Kaufmann, for making us laugh at holiday crossover albums… again.
“An unusual display of jewels”
Another point of etiquette is that a gentleman must never leave the ladies of his own box alone.
It will not be tonight
Even though La Cieca is sure you will agree with her that “Meglio stasera, che domani o mai. Domani chi lo sa, quel che sarà,” the fact is the server people are still working on parterre.com with a “go” time set for sometime early tomorrow. Be assured that your doyenne will inform you here at […]
Master of her Domain
The film of that awful play Master Class will begin lensing next week in Detroit. Faye Dunaway directs and stars as Maria Callas. [Detroit Free Press] UPDATE: Edited to include this much funnier photo suggesting La Dunaway has decided to play the Audra McDonald part.
Tu? Indietro! Fugly!
A loyal reader calls this little number “the worst gown I’ve ever seen.” La Cieca she agrees that Mme. Guleghina’s fashion faux pas here just screams, “that was no lady, that was Lady Macbeth.” On the other hand, your doyenne has seen some rather ghastly frocks in her time, and she’s sure, cher public, that […]
This is my belief, in brief
That grand old man of music André Previn is writing another opera, following up on the clamorous success of 1998’s A Streetcar Named Desire. The commission for Houston Grand Opera is Brief Encounter, based on Noel Coward’s one-act play Still Life as well as the screenplay for the eponymous film. (First Tennessee Williams, then Noel […]
…and tenderly beckons, Moby Dick, dearest Moby Dick!
As dear Rosalind Russell used to say, “It’s about this whale…“
Honestly insincere
[Via Likely Impossibilities]
The ceremony of innocence is drowned
“Directed by Francesca Zambello, this Little Mermaid burdens its performers with ungainly guess-what-I-am costumes (by Tatiana Noginova) and a distracting set (by George Tsypin) awash in pastels gone sour and unidentifiable giant tchotchkes that suggest a Luau Lounge whipped up by an acid-head heiress in the 1960s. The whole enterprise is soaked in that sparkly […]
Christmas is here, bringing good Cher
While we’re waiting for the restoration of Stephen Costello‘s ringing rendition of “O Holy Night,” La Cieca thought you might like to hear another great American tenor’s take on the classic carol.
Legends!
“Starring Leona Mitchell (star of the Metropolitan Opera and other major opera houses around the world) and Sarah Rice (the original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway), Leona & Sarah, Songs for the Heart & Soul. These two friends join their thrilling voices in an evening of songs, melodie, chanson and an aria or two, […]
Fatal sdegno
If, through some miracle of recombinant DNA manipulation, Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh and Maria Montez were to have a child together, La Cieca is certain this is how she (or he, for that matter) would turn out.
The blonde leading the blind
Imagine La Cieca’s delight when she heard that Julia Roberts has been cast in the starring role of Voce di Donna, a biopic based upon the whirlwind adventures of your very own doyenne. Oscar-winner Roberts (left) beat out A-listers Nicole Kidman, Susan Sarandon and Dame Judi Dench to portray “Older Cieca.” The character in more […]
"We’re puttin’ on an op’ra tonight!"
Mae West goes mezzo-soprano for this scene from her 1935 vehicle Goin’ to Town.
"Singing Norma Today"
(with apologies to Stephen Sondheim) NYC OPERA FANATIC:Bless her soul,Bless her golden throat,All her fans can gloat.Renée’s preparing to chantThe bel canto role. SIEGLINDE:Today is for NormaNorma, the role of the divas of choice.America’s soprano will honor us forever.Today is for Norma,As sung by the Beautiful Voice. RENEE:Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody’s […]
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!
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).
