Questo e Quello
When Neil Shicoff celebrated the 40th anniversary of his 1975 stage debut as Ernani in Cincinnati, no one had any idea that it would, essentially, mark the end of his career. In 2014 he added the roles of Canio (at Wiener Staatsoper) and Calaf (at Volksoper Wien) to his repertoire to great acclaim.
On this day in 1593 dramatist Christopher Marlowe was reportedly stabbed to death…
The big news on Van Ness Avenue, it goes without saying, is Calixto Bieito’s operatic debut on these shores.
Born on this day in 1894 actress and comedian Beatrice Lillie.
During the dull season for opera broadcasts here in New York the cher public are invited to select from the afternoon offerings listed on operacast.com.
Born on this day in 1924 opera record and video producer John Culshaw.
I can scarcely remember a performance where so many conflicting thoughts raced through my mind as happened Thursday night during the Met Orchestra’s “bleeding chunks” of Wagner’s Ring at Carnegie Hall.
La Cieca’s spies in Dresden report that there were HD cameras aplenty in the Semperoper at Wednesday night’s performance of Lohengrin.
“Has anyone ever seen a truly great production of this opera?”
Born on this day 1911 actor Vincent Price.
Washington National Opera’s first Ring Cycle came to a bittersweet conclusion this past Sunday, closing the door on an extraordinary three weeks in the opera house and a remarkable musical and theatrical achievement for the company.
Fosca, finalmente mia!
Happy 95th or perhaps 99th birthday soprano Inge Borkh.
The Péter Eötvös adaptation of Angels in America—as well as Candide and such rarities as La campana sommersa and Los Elementos—are highlights of the New York City Opera’s 2016-2017 season.
Born on this day in 1929 (more or less) soprano Beverly Sills.
Philip Glass is indisputably one of the most prolific composers of the last half century, yet none of his more than 20 operas has found a place in the standard repertoire.
On this day in 1966 Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened on at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run 1508 performances.
Gay icons Francesca Zambello and Judy Garland.
Sunday afternoon’s all-Richard Strauss concert served as a de facto commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the debut of Renée Fleming, long one of the house’s biggest stars.
On this day in 1963 at the 16th Cannes Film Festival, The Leopard directed by Luchino Visconti won the Palme d’Or.
La Cieca has the whole thing for you to listen to, cher public, as recorded Sunday afternoon.
“King of the High D’s” Javier Camarena headlines an HD video performance of I puritani this afternoon live from the Compañia Nacional de Ópera in Mexico.
Born on this day in 1813 composer Richard Wagner (not pictured).
On this day in 1959 that greatest of all musicals, Gypsy, opened on Broadway
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
