Solid gold
This week’s opera is Die Liebe der Danae.
Questo e Quello
The thought behind it
Born on this day in 1923 actress Gloria Grahame.
All about my mother
Operatic history can be cruel where multiple works with the same subject are concerned
Winning streak
Like our beloved Cubs, Chicago Lyric Opera is in the midst of a championship season.
Dream home
On this day in 1843 Michael Balfe’s The Bohemian Girl premiered in London.
To my cher public
La Cieca (pictured) begs your pardon for her unexplained absence from the site for the past several days.
Once, Moore, with feeling
When Sonja Frisell‘s Met production of Aïda was new and starred Oklahoma native Leona Mitchell, the similarly-intialled Latonia Moore was nine years old, singing in the choir of her pastor grandfather’s church.
The Sun Daughter
On this day in 1898 Pietro Mascagni’s Iris premiered in Rome.
Susanna in Forth Worth”
I offer a bit of operatic turkey, P.D.Q. Bach’s half-act opera The Stoned Guest, as an aural amuse-bouche.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities
Born on this day in 1694 writer and philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet (better known as Voltaire).
Dem inneren Triebe
On this day in 1808 Beethoven’s Fidelio premiered in Vienna.
Trying to make order out of my life was like trying to pick up a jellyfish”
Born on this day in 1920 actress Gene Tierney.
Turban outfitter
“Ms. Netrebko is not the kind to wear sweatpants unless they are fancy…”
To weep and remember
Last evening’s scorching performance of Fallujah by the New York City Opera demonstrated that sometimes impact is not limited by physical proximity.
All night long
In one important respect, a great production of Puccini resembles a great production of Wagner.
Flight of fancy
Jonathan Dove’s Flight is an opera that makes excellent use of setting.
Grossmächtige Prinzessin
Born on this day in 1891 soprano Maria Ivogün.
Something that’s grim, something that’s Greek
Leoncavallo’s Edipo Re.
A gal a day is enough for me
“Extremely noisy without being nearly as mirthful as their other films”
Climbing Up the Ass II: The Climbening
Incoming Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin lavishes praise on former Met Music Director James Levine for actually doing his job, for once.
God tells me how the music should sound, but you stand in the way
On this day in 1908 conductor Arturo Toscanini made his Metropolitan Opera debut.
Gone girl
Anna Netrebko‘s Manon was deeply unforgettable for its wide scope, control, and incredible virtuosity.
Troy story
Lyric Opera of Chicago rose to the challenges mightily in its first-ever performance of Les Troyens.
Something Aten!
Akhnaten, seen at the Los Angeles Opera on November 13 tells the story of the Pharaoh who abandoned traditional Egyptian polytheism.
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).