Cold comfort
An image of the old, ruined Coventry Cathedral goes into closer and closer focus until the stage is dominated by a grassy stone.
Questo e Quello
Heck, I’d even play the maid
On this day in 1975 soprano Roberta Peters celebrated the 25th anniversary of her Met debut with a performance of Così fan tute.
Separated at Clark Gable
Anna Netrebko’s Instagram meets Metro.
Fire and ice
On this day in 1926 the US premiere and first Metropolitan Opera performance of Puccini’s Turandot.
The shock of the modern
Two of today’s most compelling divas tackle a hair-raising early 20th century German masterpiece for “Trove Thursday.”
Something’s comin’
This program honored the singer, composer and theorist Giulio Caccini, “Giulio da Romano,” on the 400th anniversary of his death.
Fully formed
On this day in 1918 soprano Rosa Ponselle gave her first opera performance anywhere.
Broadcast: Les pêcheurs de perles
At 7:30 this PM, join the parterrians to hear and to discuss the Met’s broadcast of this gorgeous Bizet score.
Blindsided
Which superstar performer whose recent career has been as calm as a dove is about to send ticket sales crashing by making perhaps the most fateful cancellation of his life?
Rock out with your Tracht out
Lohengrin descended upon the Wiener Staatsoper this month like American college students to Oktoberfest: loudly, spastically, not especially coherent, and in full lederhosen and dirndls.
The woman, the goddess
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.
Tempesta
On this day in 1937 the National Broadcasting Company formed a full-sized symphony orchestra.
Side effects
“Her showboating performance on October 29, while certainly not lacking in spectacular moments, came as a sad disappointment after her ‘gripping and insightful’ Norma last season.”
Roses turn
Born on this day in 1939 soprano Lucia Popp.
Lake, placid
On this day in 1993 Dvorak’s Rusalka finally appeared at the Met. Gabriela Benacková does the honors.
The devil’s eye candy
There are shows with iconic characters, and there are shows with iconic characters playing iconic characters.
Under water
On this day in 1970 the Richard Rodgers–Martin Charnin musical Two by Two (with Danny Kaye as Noah) opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 351 performances.
First action hero
Director David Pountney and his splendid designers have brought Lyric Opera of Chicago a visually spectacular Siegfried full of daring ideas.
Tales of the unexpected
In the Academy of Vocal Arts’s (AVA) clever pairing of two Puccini works, there was every reason to expect the fix was in.
Fleur du mal
Too bad, then, that this season’s tossed flower was a bit of a wilted one.
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).