In the latest episode of Unnatural Act of Opera, deluxe diva Grace Bumbry wails in a lesser-known corner of her vast repertoire, two operas by Richard Strauss. In performances two decades apart, she takes on the title role of Salome (1978) and Klytemnestra in Elektra (1997). La Cieca’s generosity extends even farther, though. As bonus, […]
The promotional trailer from Los Angeles Opera’s production of Mahagonny, starring the one-two punch of Audra MacDonald and Patti LuPone. (And Anthony Griffey makes three!)
Which diva has been secretly married for over a year to a male model barely half her age? Which diva (not the same one) is in talks to return to the Met in the same fach she “abandoned” over a decade ago? Which diva (neither of the above) seems to be inching her way out […]
Margaret Junktrunk Hello there! I’m your announcer Margaret Junktrunk. Welcome to the Sirius Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Ligeti‘s beloved masterpiece Tosca, a work that illustrates the idea, first expressed by Hegel, “A stitch in time saves nine,” or, as the libretto puts it, “Basta!” In today’s performance we will hear tenor Ian Bostridge, baritone Thomas […]
A galaxy of talent sufficient to cast an Arena di Verona production of Sondheim’s Follies assembles in the following recording. It’s the “Ride of the Valkyries” as sung on February 13, 2003 at a gala performance in Tokyo. Wotan’s daughters, in order of appearance: Alessandra Marc (Gerhilde), Eva Marton (Helmwige), Karan Armstrong (Waltraute), Agnes Baltsa […]
In honor of the soprano’s return to the Met in Jenufa, a selection of performances from 1959 – 2004.
“It was an affair to rank with the coming of Christ, the death of Garland, the birth of the blues, and the freezing of spinach.” — Arthur Bell, Village Voice. “Miss Steber appears from the steam room in a chiffon gown, loaded with diamonds and a black towel draped around her waist. Mrs. Leonard Bernstein, […]
So, does this text for Principessa di Bouillon sound like outtakes from Isolde, or what? O Wollust, voller Pein!Glück und Qual im Bunde!Du still verzehrend Sehnen,Schnell geschlagne Wunde!Heisse Glut, Schauer, Zittern,Und Wahnsinn, SchreckenMuss in des Liebenden Brust Das Warten wecken!Jeder Laut, jeder Schatten,Leis die Nacht durchwebend,Will gegen die zitterndeSeele sich verschwören,Zwischen Zweifel und SehnenBangend und […]
Gala Gloria Swanson (sixtyish at the time) trills out a tune from a musical version of Sunset Blvd. that, alas, never made it off the drawing board.
La Cieca and sidekick Milton Host are back with another rarity: Der Barbier von Bagdad by Peter Cornelius. Joining them in the studio with repurposed commentary: a formidable diva of the Johnson era. (No, not Lyndon Johnson. Edward Johnson.) Act 1 is available now at Unnatural Acts of Opera.
Good times and bum times — She saw them all, but my dear,She’s no longer here.The actress everyone is eulogizing as the “definitive Lily Munster” had another, in La Cieca’s opinion far more important credit. In 1971 Yvonne de Carlo created the role of Carlotta Campion in Follies, and introduced the showbiz anthem “I’m Still […]
Legendary diva Nazimova in a scene from her 1921 film version of Camille.
La Cieca thought that now that Puritani has opened at the Met, it’s as good a time as any to review the company’s (rumored) bel canto plans for the next five years or so. Remember, everything in this life is uncertain, so please regard these “predictions” as the gossip they are. Anyway, La Cieca hopes […]
Everyone’s favorite non-operatic diva Faye Dunaway reacts to the news of her “firing” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. (The show, of course, was Sunset Blvd., and the year was 1994. Miss Faye sued Lloyd Webber and eventually settled out of court for a reported $2 million.)
First off, La Cieca should tell you that her producer/alter ego JJ will be heard this afternoon on WNYC’s talk show “Soundcheck” discussing (what else?) L’affaire Alagna. The program begins at 2:00 PM and JJ is scheduled to be heard in the final segment between 2:30 and 3:00. “Soundcheck” gained notoriety last month when uber-diva […]
Which Met prima donna recently enraged her maestro when she forgot (or refused) to bring him out a curtain call at his final performance of the run? In recounting the story of this obvious snub, the “always friendly and downright jocular” conductor becomes so emotional that he begins to gesticulate as wildly as he does […]
The scene: Backstage at the Richard Tucker Gala. The situation: Diva X is onstage, singing music from the opera _________, a role for which Diva Y (also on the bill) is famous. Diva Z is among the onlookers while Diva Y “holds court.” [The guests chatter.] Diva Y: Silence! What’s that music! Diva Z: Why, […]
As if those opera queens (you know La Cieca is talking to you, cher public) don’t already have more than enough to listen to, what with Unnatural Acts of Opera, plus Sirius Met Broadcasts, plus various streaming radio on the internet — well, now there’s lots more where that came from. Well, anyway, one more […]
The legendary Florence Foster Jenkins, who until recently held the title “America’s Most Delusional Diva,” has gone bicoastal. The delightful play with music Souvenir, a “fantasia” on the life and exploits of La Jenkins, opens October 12 at the Brentwood Theater in Los Angeles for a month-long stint. Recreating her Tony-nominated turn as FFJ is […]
“Super Drag Diva” Shequida (pictured here with unidentified gogomeat) will make all kinds of history on December 16 and 17 when she sings her first Komponist in performances of Ariadne auf Naxos at Merkin Concert Hall. This co-production by Ensemble du Monde, Opera Noire of New York and Pegasus Opera of London will also feature […]
That “Age of the Diva” soprano, Renee Fleming, swept into Los Angeles last weekend to lay down video tracks for her upcoming DVD of Traviata. Los Angeles Opera cleverly captialized on the public’s interest in America’s Sweetheart by selling high-priced tickets to the taping, calling the event a “gala opera performance.” We will of course […]
A Very Special Guest Diva introduces La Cieca’s latest podcast, Verdi’s Aida as performed at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden on 12 April 1973. And the performance is pretty special, too: Gilda Cruz-Romo as Aida, Carlo Bergonzi as Radames, Mignon Dunn as Amneris, Gian Piero Mastromei as Amonasro . . . and Kiri te Kanawa […]
Years ago, Diva Past (whose career, by that point, was really done) canceled a prima donna gig at a major American opera house. Diva Present won overnight stardom when she substituted. Now, years later, Diva Present has booked a return to both venue and role of her triumph. At the moment, though, her schedule is […]
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!
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).
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