Questo e Quello
Imagine two tenors releasing French opera aria collections at the same time without duplicating a single track!
On this day in 1607 L’Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi received its première performance.
Renée Fleming is one of the most polarizing figures to be discussed here on an ongoing basis.
This day in 1455 is the traditional anniversary date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.
“Speaking on Desert Island Discs, the German opera singer said that he and his colleagues felt as though they were in ‘straight-jackets,’ having to make diary commitments years in advance.”
On this day in 1879 in Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opened the first of many “five and dime” stores.
Cheer up, cher public, and set yourself to the task of discussing off-topic and general interest subjects.
Mr. Peabody, that Leonardo among canines, claimed she was suffering from toothache.
On this day in 1972 President Nixon arrived in the People’s Republic of China.
On this day in 1944 the “Batman and Robin” newspaper comic strip premiered.
“It was the chilliest opening night at the Met in years on Monday—barely 15 degrees when the curtain went up on the company premiere of La Donna del Lago.“
The Rape of Lucretia, now (through Sunday) enjoying a superb three-performance run at the Juilliard Opera’s Willson Theater (tickets are scarce; hie thee to the waiting list), was Benjamin Britten’s third opera and first “chamber opera,” composed for the tiny original theater at Glyndebourne,
On this day in 1914 Riccardo Zandonai‘s Francesca da Rimini premiered in Turin.
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2015-16 season will present 227 opera performances in a varied repertory, ranging from rarely performed masterpieces to perennial audience favorites.
On this day in 1930 Luigi Pirandello‘s Come Tu Mi Vuoi premiered in Milan.
The Met announces its 2015-2016 season tomorrow at 1:00 PM, cher public, and La Cieca knows you will all be here to discuss and dissect
Ellen Douglas finds herself in Act II of Rossini’s La Donna del Lago in the far from unusual operatic position of having her love claimed by two impassioned tenors in the bel canto version of a macho drag race.
On this day in 1598 Boris Godunov was chosen tsar of Russia.
At the Opernhaus Zürich, the coat check is not optional.
The key to enjoying Bellini’s I Capuleti e Montechi is to do a hard factory reset and reformat your brain to forget all other works based on Romeo and Juliet.
James Levine turns 72 this year. Even though his health has improved considerably in the past year and he may continue to conduct for a decade or more, it seems inevitable that he will step down as the Met’s Music Director sometime in the next few years to assume the role of Conductor Laureate.
I really wanted to post Victoria de los Angeles‘ Met performance of Elisabeth, but this recording is a more than acceptable substitute.
On this day in 1950, the longest-running prime-time game show What’s My Line premiered on CBS.
“Renée Fleming, like Krannert Center, embraces the art of our past, our present, and our collective future.”
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
