‘Mawrdew,’ he wrote
Published in 1975, James McCourt’s novel Mawrdew Czgowchwz is engaged with a longing for the divine.
Questo e Quello
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
Endlessly extricating her from existing contracts then negotiating new ones must make being Sonya Yoncheva’s manager the hardest job in the music business.
Keepsakes
Born on this day circa 1910 soprano Dorothy Kirsten.
“Life is a horizontal fall”
Born on this day in 1889 writer, filmmaker and designer Jean Cocteau.
“Win or lose, we go shopping after the election”
Happy 88th birthday to former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos.
Leaving blood on the shirt
The debate over live transmissions of opera to cinemas in HD isn’t going to go away.
You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way
Born on this day in 1917 singer and actress Lena Horne.
The zoo story
A week from Saturday Will Crutchfield’s “Bel Canto at Caramoor” ends a 20-year run with Il Pirata.
“The one thing that matters is the effort”
Born on this day in 1900 writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch”
On this day in 1946 actress Gilda Radner was born.
Reine par la beauté!
Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.
Blossoming even as we gaze
When did he get to be a spinto? When did he grow to be so tall?
Back to the beach
Now it’s time to grab Albert Einstein for a lengthy swim.
“My success is going to your head!”
Born on this day in 1922 actress Eleanor Parker.
Too darn Ott
Happy 30th birthday baritone Jarrett Ott.
Vo’ farmi più gaia, più fulgida ancora
“City Opera invites you, our fans, to march with the artists who create the operas you love.”
Broadcast: Norma
Summertime, and the canto is bel from Lyric Opera of Chicago, starting at 1:00 PM EDT.
The mogul with the curls
On this day in 1916, actress Mary Pickford signed a contract with Adolph Zukor of Famous Players Films Company guaranteeing her $1,000,000.
“My life is an open pamphlet”
Born on this day in 1927 dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse.
Out of the depths
“Trove Thursday” provides a live broadcast of Mozart’s rarely performed cantata Davide Penitente by Les Arts Florissants conducted by William Christie.
“I want to feel my life while I’m in it”
Happy 68th birthday actress Meryl Streep.
Guilt, edged
If Darius Milhaud took a risk in adapting La Mère Coupable as an opera, it wasn’t the quirky, atonal style he used for his score.
We’re here, we’re queer (well, some of us)
What the hell is Three Way doing on a list of 7 American Operas That Put LGBTQ Issues Center Stage?
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).