Questo e Quello

Broadcast: Don Giovanni Broadcast: Don Giovanni

Mariusz Kwiecien heads the cast of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Don Giovanni, starting at 1:00 PM today.

La sonnambula La sonnambula

Happy 67th birthday author and blogress Arianna Huffington.

Broadcast: Turandot Broadcast: Turandot

Lise Lindstrom and Roberto Alagna (not pictured) head the cast of the Royal Opera House’s Turandot.

Tenors gone wild Tenors gone wild

Among several fine productions at Aix this summer, Dmitri Tcherniakov’s brilliantly conceived and executed Carmen proved a game changer. 

Contre nous de la tyrannie l’étendard sanglant est levé Contre nous de la tyrannie l’étendard sanglant est levé

We at parterre box wish you a joyous and thoughtful Bastille Day.

Dramatic ARC Dramatic ARC

Wednesday brought Christopher Alden’s grimly dark and violent take on Handel’s Aci, Galatea e Polifemo at National Sawdust.

Czar search Czar search

The highlight of this year’s Bard Summerscape festival must be a rare staging of Dvorak’s Dimitrij.

Soprano/critic Soprano/critic

Born on this day in 1921 soprano Marcella Pobbè.

The beautiful stage is empty The beautiful stage is empty

Two productions at the Aix-en-Provence festival shared one look.

Broadway baby Broadway baby

Happy 42nd birthday actor and singer-songwriter Cheyenne Jackson.

“Fluent coloratura and dramatic enchantment” “Fluent coloratura and dramatic enchantment”

Born on this day in 1925 soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs.

Levine to return to triumphant debut opera Levine to return to triumphant debut opera

The gala New Year’s Eve Tosca at the Met next season is going to be conducted by that hot young talent James Levine.

Operas on the verge of a nervous breakdown Operas on the verge of a nervous breakdown

It’s a pity that Francis Poulenc took so long to getting around to compose his operas.

Imogenary beings Imogenary beings

Will Crutchfield’s Bel Canto at Caramoor program of concert operas concluded with a bang on Saturday with Bellini’s first success, Il Pirata.

Someday I’ll step on their freckles Someday I’ll step on their freckles

Congratulations to dramatic coloratura soprano Klára Kolonits.

Let’s Carl the whole thing Orff Let’s Carl the whole thing Orff

Born on this day in 1895 composer Carl Orff.

Mike the knife Mike the knife

Those interested in sampling Michael Fabiano‘s “glowering demeanor” and “sensitive, vibrant lyric tenor” in Carmen  (NYT)  may do so so via ARTE.

Broadcast: Tannhäuser Broadcast: Tannhäuser

Wagner’s Tannhäuser in a controversial new production by Romeo Castellucci.

Midsummer gladness Midsummer gladness

Gone are the halcyon days of tradition and ritual.

Nobody indiscreet can find us Nobody indiscreet can find us

Born on this day very early indeed in the 20th century authoress Barbara Cartland.

July song July song

Happy 66th birthday actress Angelica Huston.

‘Mawrdew,’ he wrote ‘Mawrdew,’ he wrote

Published in 1975, James McCourt’s novel Mawrdew Czgowchwz is engaged with a longing for the divine.

The worker of the world has nothing to lose but his chains The worker of the world has nothing to lose but his chains

Happy 70th birthday to long-time Village Person David Hodo.

Iris, hence away Iris, hence away

Endlessly extricating her from existing contracts then negotiating new ones must make being Sonya Yoncheva’s manager the hardest job in the music business.