Questo e Quello

No, No, Lorgnette No, No, Lorgnette

La Cieca invites her cher public to discuss—in a dignified manner, if you please—the week’s off-topic and general interest subjects.

O Caftan! My Caftan! O Caftan! My Caftan!

Unconcealed by the voluminous folds of this Jessyesqe muumuu is queen-sized talent Jeffery Roberson (also known as Varla Jean Merman.)

Strange fruit Strange fruit

An odd week. Of the 26 operas available, just half are regular rep

Def Man Glance Def Man Glance

Since 2010 I’ve been reading nothing but horror being heaped upon the Met’s new Ring. It’s been like a cross between a cruise ship size buffet spread of internet snarking and a slasher film re-cast with music critics.

Are you available for dancing in the streets and shouting from the housetops? Are you available for dancing in the streets and shouting from the housetops?

La Cieca is looking for a few good part-time reviewers.

Le grand regie Le grand regie

A name new to La Cieca, but surely soon to become familiar indeed, Phantom Violist, cracked the regie code last week.

George sent me George sent me

La Cieca is sure it’s nothing, nothing at all, but she does think it’s curious that (per a tipster) George Steel has quietly called a staff meeting for NYCO tomorrow…

Crack of doom Crack of doom

It took about 30 minutes for me to grow restless watching the world premiere video of Gyorgi Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre from Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Thanking you so much Thanking you so much

La Scoopenda tries on Vera Galupe-Borszkh‘s mantle of grandezza for an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Christ, what an intermission feature! Christ, what an intermission feature!

La Cieca invites to flaunt your wit by supplying a caption for the above cartoon, the more New Yorker-esqe the better.

Smells like teen critic Smells like teen critic

Friend of the box Opera Teen (pictured, right) reacts to Saturday night’s performance of Otello.

The way we chat now The way we chat now

Several things got into my inbox this week, calling into question my dependability and accuracy.

He, Avgust! Bringt mir unser Sänger her! He, Avgust! Bringt mir unser Sänger her!

Avgust Amonov will make his Met debut in the title role of tomorrow evening’s performance of Verdi’s Otello, replacing Johan Botha, who is ill.

Out of the past Out of the past

James Levine, the Metropolitan Opera’s Music Director, will return to conducting on May 19, 2013 with the MET Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Things no general director actually says of her own free will for $500, Alex Things no general director actually says of her own free will for $500, Alex

“I am thrilled that operatic superstar Denyce Graves will join the cast of The Mikado, singing the role of Katisha.”

Beating time Beating time

So meandering and ragged a reading would be alarming at a first rehearsal; for a first night, it was a scandal.

Something for everyone Something for everyone

From historical documents to the dernier cri of regie, October’s new DVD releases are a potpourri of objets d’art.

Se non e vero, e ben Trovatore Se non e vero, e ben Trovatore

A tip of the hennin to Our Own Phoenix for his nightmarish Trovatore scenario.

Schoolboy crush Schoolboy crush

Handel’s 1711 opera Rinaldo was the first Italian opera ever written specifically for the London stage.

Scent of mystery Scent of mystery

La Cieca has been sniffing around her generally reliable (and fragrant) sources, and she thinks she has pieced together a list of the dozen operas to be featured in the 2013-2014 season of “The Met: Live in HD.”

There’s no place like Regie There’s no place like Regie

La Cieca (not pictured) tips her hat (pictured) to the participants in our second “Regie to the Rescue” competition.

Pink is the navy blue of chat Pink is the navy blue of chat

Mesdames et mesdames, there is something for every taste in every style to make you a fashion standout in La Casa della Cieca this afternoon.

Provocative ad provokes, surprisingly Provocative ad provokes, surprisingly

But not everyone is amused.

An unknown object draws us An unknown object draws us

Could there possibly be any more providential day of the year for New York City Opera to announce their Annual Fall Vintage Event?