Questo e Quello

A sense of occasion A sense of occasion

On February 29, 1812 (thanks to Pope Gregory’s calendrical reforms), Gioachino Rossini celebrated his fourth birthday.

The long and winding rodent The long and winding rodent

Since Jonas Kaufmann is so in the news right now, Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin has selected as this week’s listening treat the tenor’s debut performance at the Bayreuth Festival, a July 25, 2010 performance of Lohengrin.

Limited visibility Limited visibility

La Cieca hopes you, the cher public, will see your way clear to comment on this week’s off-topic and general interest subjects.

Squillo talk Squillo talk

Tenor Michael Fabiano has been named the recipient of the ninth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera.

Getting our canards in a row Getting our canards in a row

“Masterpieces are not there to subvert; they are there to explore.”

Just a cold and lonely lovely work of art Just a cold and lonely lovely work of art

“Joined by the Collegiate Chorale Singers, Leon Botstein and the ASO perform perhaps the most popular German opera ever to have sunk into obscurity!”

Two out of three falls Two out of three falls

Veteran diva Maria Guleghina “long married to the baritone Mark Guleghin, has found new happiness with Russia’s Olympic state coach of Greco-Roman wrestling…”

Come aboard, we’re expecting you Come aboard, we’re expecting you

“The Metropolitan Opera Guild invites you to join Deborah Voigt on a musical journey to the islands and shores of Croatia and Montenegro.”

Take your Adderall, Wozzeck Take your Adderall, Wozzeck

“I think a lot of his hallucinations can be compared to ultra-sensitivities and hallucinations of extremely gifted people,” Mr. Hampson said.

Good fencing makes good neighbors Good fencing makes good neighbors

Tonight, Opera Company of Brooklyn celebrates Black Awareness Month with a special presentation featuring the work of Afro-French composer and conductor, Joseph de Boulogne, the Chevalier de Saint-George.

Miss Right Miss Right

A particularly delectable treat from the Mike Richter trove: Wolfgang Sawallisch conducts a 1985 performance of Arabella at the Bayerische Staatsoper, featuring Lucia Popp and Wolfgang Brendel.  

City of dreams City of dreams

With issue #42a, “City of Dreams,” parterre box the queer opera zine returns at least temporarily to a rational numbering system.

In solitaria stanza In solitaria stanza

La Cieca alerts the cher public to be on the lookout for discounts and downright giveaways for the upcoming Vittorio Grigolo recital at the Met.

Who else? Who else?

As we all agree, Robert Rattray is eminently qualified for his new position as the Met’s assistant general manager for artistic affairs…

The beautiful glass is empty The beautiful glass is empty

Juliane Banse will make her Met debut as Zdenka in this season’s performances of Strauss’s Arabella, replacing Genia Kühmeier, who has withdrawn for personal reasons.”

Winter wonder man Winter wonder man

Life is not fair. There are rules that apply to Jonas Kaufmann, and rules that apply to everyone else.

La “Fille” mal gardée La “Fille” mal gardée

Natalie Dessay de retour dans la Fille du Régiment

Kate Royal, Toby Spence ink 10-year Met deal Kate Royal, Toby Spence ink 10-year Met deal

Robert Rattray, who has long experience in artist management, has been appointed the Met’s next assistant general manager for artistic affairs, replacing Sarah Billinghurst, who will retire at the end of this season after two decades at the Met, the company announced Tuesday.”

“Opera stars clash over our judgment” “Opera stars clash over our judgment”

“The article was written before Mme. Tetrazzini’s arrival,” continued Miss Garden yesterday.

Ah, je les écoute sans cesse Ah, je les écoute sans cesse

For your racionative pleasure, cher public, here’s an epistolary quiz in honor of the Met’s new production of Werther: 13 artists share Charlotte’s “Ces lettres! Ces lettres!” scena from Massenet’s opera.

Das waren die Freimaurer! Ich hab’s! Die Freimaurer! Das waren die Freimaurer! Ich hab’s! Die Freimaurer!

“Unexpected conflicts and complications have occurred in Mr. Hampson’s schedule as he prepares the title role in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Wozzeck.”

Diva of Détente Diva of Détente

Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin (not pictured) takes us back to the turbulent 1970s at the Met for the spectacular company debut of electrifying Elena Obraztsova as Amneris.

Easy as falling off a loge Easy as falling off a loge

No effort is required, cher public, to enjoy a discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.

Kingdom of the blind item Kingdom of the blind item

If there is truth in this rumor, which New York opera company will attempt a renaissance this summer with a revival of an operatic rarity, though likely without the magnificent cast the conductor assembled for his recent recording of the same work?