Questo e Quello
It’s particularly bewildering that before 2013 there was no such thing as the Prototype Festival.
On this day in 1984 Madonna first sang “Holiday” on American Bandstand.
Vittorio Grigolo in the title role of the Met’s revival of Les Contes d’Hoffman is the opera version of the charming homeless drunk.
On this day in 1910, the first public radio broadcast took place: music from Cavalleria rusticana was sent out over the airwaves from the Metropolitan Opera House.
Which American opera diva’s next starring project will be an appearance as Florence Foster Jenkins in a film about that earlier American diva’s life and times?
It’s Corelli two ways and across nearly two decades in this dream double bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci.
The celebrated Russian mezzo-soprano has died. She was 75.
On this day in 475, Basiliscus became Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople.
On this day in 1055, Theodora was crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Take your time promenading, cher public, but please return in time to discuss off-topic and general interest subjects before the bell rings for the next act.
La Cieca is sometimes asked what it is that a dramaturg does, or why it is that an opera house need a dramaturg
On this day in 49 BC Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war.
Krzysztof Warlikowski‘s controversial production of Don Giovanni at La Monnaie is now streaming online.
On this day in 2007, Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone.
Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin (not pictured) congratulates Countervail for the best attempt at identifying the “Brass Divas.”
On this day in 1735, the premiere performance of George Frideric Handel’s Ariodante was given at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
The San Francisco Opera has just done the big reveal for 2015-2016 and here’s what we have in store.
>”Ghastly!” — New York Observer
On this day in 1601, Robert, Earl of Essex, led a revolt in London against Queen Elizabeth.
It seems almost comical to think now but the designer-director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, who died in 1988, was at one time considered the height of regie-theatre scandal.
On this day in 1973 “Schoolhouse Rock” premiered on ABC-TV.
This week, we return to the 1970s with a very special performance of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda featuring the duelling queens of Beverly Sills and Pauline Tinsley.
On this day in 1649, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone premiered in Venice.
St. Paul’s Chapel is the perfect site for Saul, Handel’s finest dramatic oratorio.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
