Questo e Quello
Brian Jagde‘s creative and charismatic Calaf was almost enough to make up for his counterpart Martina Serafin’s distant portrayal of Turandot.
More of the “breakthrough” performance of Montserrat Caballé on April 20, 1965.
On this day in 1914 composer W. C. Handy published “St. Louis Blues.”
Born on this day in 1898 actress Bessie Love.
Without the graffiti, San Francisco Opera’s Aïda is notable for Leah Crocetto in the title role.
On this day in 1543 Mary Stuart, at nine months old, was crowned “Queen of Scots.”
On this day in 1953 Carnival in Flanders (starring Dolores Gray) opened at The New Century Theater, to run six performances.
Is this not Puccini’s greatest opera, his most human, least manipulative?
Today’s offering is an electric performance of Verdi’s early potboiler Attila conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli.
Happy 52nd birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
Happy 70th birthday actress Jane Curtin.
La Cieca is actively searching now for a weekly audio or video feature to permanently replace the defunct “Montag Mit Marianne.”
Happy 57th birthday soprano Karita Mattila.
La Cieca literally cannot even.
Happy Labor/Labour Day US and Canadian Paterrians!
Born on this day in 1910 soprano, television personality and arts advocate Kitty Carlisle.
Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia featuring Krassimira Stoyanova, Ildar Abdrazakov and Juan Diego Flórez.
Which opera house’s notoriously conservative backers would be shocked to hear the company is currently holding auditions for performers to perform simulated acts of bestiality?
On this day in 44 BC Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt declared her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion.
Today, the New York Times offers the strongest suggestion yet that Cecilia Bartoli will bring her Norma to New York sooner rather than later.
>Happy 78th birthday actress and comedian Lily Tomlin.
This afternoon the Royal Opera House offers a first glimpse of Richard Jones‘ new production of La bohème, the first at that theater since about 1735 or so.
“Trove Thursday” celebrates the thrilling Finnish soprano Karita Matilla in the ultimate diva role.
Born on this day in 1912 tenor/baritone Ramón Vinay.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
