Better call Fall
A gaggle of our parterre critics (not pictured) had what the kids call a “kiki” recently and “spilled the tea” (as the middle-aged folks say) about their greatest expectations for the New York fall season.
Questo e Quello
Very warm for mayonnaise
The career of our beloved Renée Fleming deserves to continue… by whatever means necessary.
No adjectives
On this day in 1971 the Met revived Norma with its surefire team of Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne.
“Big, grand, impressive and vulgar”
On this day 52 years ago the new Metropolitan Opera House opened in Lincoln Center.
My rare Lady
parterre saturday afternoon presents Leyla Gencer in an opera she really should have done far more often, Verdi’s Macbeth.
A te sovrana augusta
Happy 73rd birthday soprano Jessye Norman!
Sunday at the Met with Peter
Yet once more again Peter Gelb has done the impossible: starting in the 2019-2020 season the Met will offer regular Sunday matinees. And the season will extend into early June!
The sweet things in life to you were just loaned
On this day, George White’s Scandals of 1931 opened on Broadway.
A stolen life
“Trove Thursday” offers a broadcast from last year’s London world premiere of Nico Muhly’s Marnie.
“Lucidity is the first purpose of color in music”
Born on this day in 1874 composer Arnold Schoenberg.
Divas profundis
Prima donnas Reneé Fleming and Julianne Moore demonstrate the philosophizing skills for which sopranos are famous.
“Die Welt ist lieblich und nicht fürchterlich dem Mutigen”
Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos.
“Music means itself”
Born on this day in 1825 critic Eduard Hanslick.
Drama, Queen
Lightning struck again here when, after a wait of 39 years, San Francisco Opera unveiled a new production of Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux.
Double exposure
San Francisco Opera opened their 2018-19 Season Friday with a double bill of Italian verismo operas, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, which made a welcome return to War Memorial Opera House after 15 years.
The Firebrand of Florence
On this day in 1838 Berlioz’ Benvenuto Cellini premiered in Paris.
Dear white people
America’s diva Renée Fleming belts out “Plus blanche que la blanche hermine.”
E lucevan le stelle
The Stars of Lyric Opera weren’t under the stars last night, prevented by a persistent cloud bank, but they nonetheless provided a stirring evening of music in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Do I hear a waltz?
Born on this day in 1828 writer Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy.
Judge not, lest ye be judged
A rare if not downright practically nonexistent live recording of Shirley Verrett‘s Amneris is but one of the highlights of today’s parterre saturday afternoon, starting at 2:00 PM.
She’s everything that every girl should be!
On this day in 1966, That Girl starring Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC.
With one look you’ll know all you need to know
You naysayers out there who are guffawing at Renée Fleming’s long-anticipated descent into utter camp: hey, be nice!
Youth has no age
Happy 53rd birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
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).