High Campra
“Trove Thursday” presents Campra’s first “hit” L’Europe Galante in a broadcast from Versailles’s Opéra Royal by Les Musiciens du Louvre conducted by Marc Minkowski.
Questo e Quello
Bonjour, fière cité
On this day in 1990 the Paris Bastille Opera opened with a performance of Berlioz’ Les Troyens.
Because she’s happy
There are two kinds of opera lovers: Those who despise or tolerate La Gioconda as a preposterous rip-off of Aida that lingered a century in the repertory in spite of its galumphing story, largely because of the popularity of its tuneful ballet—and true opera lovers. We love every silly note of the thing, and every […]
Coming up roses
On this day in 1894 Massenet’s Thaïs premiered in Paris.
Morley marvelous
Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall two remarkable slices of soprano-heaven were served up, first by Carolyn Sampson and then by Erin Morley, during the second act of Handel’s Orlando.
Bloody likely
On this day in 1956 Lerner and Lowe’s My Fair Lady opened on Broadway.
Women past the verge
An astute double-feature exposes all the complexities of female suffering embedded within two canonical works.
These old bards
It’s time for celebrations!
Must the finals come so soon?
Without fail, all nine finalists had nice clear ringing voices. Whether they develop into great artists is another question.
Virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances
On this day in 1885 W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado premiered in London.
Malheureuse princesse
On this day in 1797 Luigi Cherubini’s Medée premiered in Paris.
Chat: Don Pasquale
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this afternoon’s Met performance of Don Pasquale, starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Five zero
On this day iconic countertenor David Daniels (not pictured) turns 50!
“All things seem possible in May”
Opera Orchestra of New York (remember them?) will present Gaetano Donizetti’s Parisina D’este.
Tears of blood
After two previous productions of Tosca in New York City this season (the Met’s revival of the controversial Luc Bondy version and NYCO Renaissance’s depressingly retrograde take), New Yorkers finally got a pleasing, if rough-edged, performance of the Puccini classic from LoftOpera.
His cup runneth over
As portrayed by Vittorio Grigolo, Nemorino was a manic self-absorbed, probably bipolar, stalker who—against all odds and good sense—gets the poor girl.
Our Lady of Perpetual Indulgence
If I were Renée Fleming, I, too, would indulge myself.
Hump day
On this day in 1851 Verdi’s Rigoletto premiered in Venice.
Chat: L’elisir d’amore
Here’s where the parterriani may gather to discuss tonight’s season premiere of L’elisir d’amore, as livestreamed beginning at 7:25 PM.
Castaway
The wonderful Spanish mezzo Teresa Berganza celebrates her 81st birthday next week and “Trove Thursday” gets the party started.
A luxury a woman in love can’t afford
Born on this day in 1903 American author, politician, and US Ambassador Clare Boothe Luce.
Say it with music
Capriccio was a great pleasure on Friday night, March 4. This was a co-production of Opera Philadelphia and The Curtis Institute, presented in the intimate Pearlman Theater at the Kimmel Center.
Overture! Light the lights!
On this day across opera history, four major works premiered.
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).