Questo e Quello
Dapper countertenor Ray Chenez is temporarily putting aside the turbans of his operatic career for, well, the turbans of a Broadway diva as he appeals via Indiegogo for funding to record a CD of show tunes.
Happy 58th birthday mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.
We have just heard the sad news that author and longtime Opera News editor Brian Kellow died earlier today. He was 59.
Born on this day in 1909 soprano Licia Albanese.
Magnanimous Michael Fabiano graces today’s parterre saturday afternoon webcast in a two-part interview during the intermissions of Gounod’s Faust.
On this day in 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon.
What could go wrong? As it turned out: just about everything!
“Labels play a hugely important role in our listening lives.”
Our Own JJ presents a very special parterre saturday afternoon: Gounod’s Faust, plus an exclusive two-part video interview with tenor Michael Fabiano.
Here’s a set of comments that I think really captures the duality of YouTube — two criticisms of Jonas Kaufmann. I won’t say which I personally find more valid!
Happy 80th birthday actress Dame Diana Rigg!
“Trove Thursday” salutes the thrilling Ursula Schröder-Feinen with a special double-bill: a complete Salome followed by a rare Siegfried Brünnhilde.
“I think that if it’s not [Bernstein’s] worst, it surely reflects his worst tendencies…”
Born on this day in 1868 soprano Florence Foster Jenkins.
Legendary maestro Riccardo Muti has announced his appointment as honorary president of Against Modern Opera Productions.
Happy 52nd birthday to mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova.
Winsome, tony, and studded with overbooked bistros, Tanglewood is not exactly crawling with bohemians these days.
New York City Opera has announced a search for “a transgender singer with a treble voice” to create the role of a transgender character in the opera Stonewall.
Born on this day in 1914 soprano Eleanor Steber.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Lost Boys’ abode might look like lined with mermaids, shopping carts, and unpeeled potatoes, look no further than Christopher Alden’s new production of Peter Pan.
Well here we are, beloveds, still swathed in the warm glow of the Leonard Bernstein centennial. Box sets abound like bunnies in a hutch.
Happy 62nd birthday playwright Tony Kushner.
Perhaps someone should remind Kristine Opolais that Mimì in La bohème works in the garment industry.
Legendary diva and long-time friend of parterre box Aprile Millo offers a gracious and witty speech in acceptance of the Verdi d’Oro Prize in Busseto.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
