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Thoughts on <em>Andrea Chénier</em>: the opera Thoughts on <em>Andrea Chénier</em>: the opera

Doing my research for these “thoughts” ahead of a starry revival in London that opened yesterday, I came across the following review for the Opening Night of the 1962-63 Season.

on May 31, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Top brass Top brass

Culture at the Crossroads: Zlatne Uste Golden Festival lives on at Astoria World Manor

on May 06, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: Callas Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: Callas

Maria Callas’s official debut in opera was as La Gioconda in 1947 at the arena in Verona.

on March 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: Milanov Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: Milanov

It’s time to discuss Zinka Milanov.

on March 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: the opera Thoughts on <em>La Gioconda</em>: the opera

Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Gioconda might not be a perfect opera (though I don’t see why not) but it is one of my favorites…

on March 15, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: recordings Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: recordings

As said at the beginning, I implied I’d rather see Don Carlo(s) and listen to Forza.

on February 19, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: characters Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: characters

It is a measure of Verdi’s genius that throughout the four rambling acts, his musical invention in the service of creating characters never failed him.

on February 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: versions Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: versions

Following the composition of Un ballo in maschera, Verdi had gone into a self-imposed retirement, at least musically; he had not composed a note in four years.

on February 12, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: influences Thoughts on <em>La Forza del destino</em>: influences

I’ve argued with myself for many years as to which was my favorite opera by Giuseppe Verdi, La forza del destino or Don Carlos. The latter finally won out especially after studying it in depth, but in the long run, it is the music of Forza that I love the most.

on February 09, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Anticipation Anticipation

Fire up your calendars, cher public! The quintet of parterre box scribes who will be reviewing New York area performance are ready to share with you their choices for Must See Opera in the fall of 2019! 

on September 13, 2019 at 9:00 AM