video

Visit La Cieca’s newly spiffed up MySpace page, where you can Delight in a slideshow of the Many Faces of La Cieca, Listen to a few of the doyenne’s favorite tracks, Thrill to the latest bizarre opera video, And, while you’re there, become one of La Cieca’s friends (as if you aren’t all already!) Meanwhile,…

on January 03, 2007 at 2:10 PM

Scenes from the 1967 production of Die Walkuere from the Bayreuth Festival, stage direction by Wieland Wagner. Brunnhilde: Anja Silja; Siegmund: Jess Thomas; Sieglinde: Helga Dernesch; Wotan: Theo Adam. Thomas Schippers is the conductor.

on January 02, 2007 at 1:36 PM

Eighty years ago! This film was a part of the first “Vitaphone” presentation in New York in August 1926. Soprano Marion Talley was 19 years old and in the first season of her three-year Met career when this scene was filmed.

on December 31, 2006 at 2:23 AM

Everyone’s favorite non-operatic diva Faye Dunaway reacts to the news of her “firing” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. (The show, of course, was Sunset Blvd., and the year was 1994. Miss Faye sued Lloyd Webber and eventually settled out of court for a reported $2 million.)

on December 27, 2006 at 6:14 PM

No, it’s still not opera, but here’s a classic lounge act in the holiday spirit.

on December 22, 2006 at 11:52 AM

Not opera, but it’s seasonal.

on December 21, 2006 at 3:53 PM

Anna Netrebko again. Oddly, the aria is not “Da, chas nastal!”

on December 19, 2006 at 4:32 PM

Roberto Alagna appeared on an Italian talk show this evening to explain (once again) his side of the walkout. The host is Pippo Baudo, the ex Mr. Katia Ricciarelli.

on December 17, 2006 at 5:24 PM

Join La Cieca on the evening of Thursday, December 21 for a live chat about the world premiere of Tan Dun‘s The First Emperor. The chat room will open for this special event at 7:30 p.m. and the yakking will continue until the final curtain. Check back at parterre.com on Thursday for a link to…

on December 17, 2006 at 2:38 PM

First off, La Cieca should tell you that her producer/alter ego JJ will be heard this afternoon on WNYC’s talk show “Soundcheck” discussing (what else?) L’affaire Alagna. The program begins at 2:00 PM and JJ is scheduled to be heard in the final segment between 2:30 and 3:00. “Soundcheck” gained notoriety last month when uber-diva…

on December 14, 2006 at 11:45 AM

Well, it had to happen sooner or later, and so it did happen, sometime between last night and tonight. La Cieca has decided she’s taking Roberto Alagna‘s side in The Scandale. Yes, yes, La Cieca hears your gasps and snorts of disbelief and contempt, but you know, cher public, La Cieca is, deep in her…

on December 13, 2006 at 3:37 PM

The Judgment Scene from Aida, as performed by Lois Maxwell, lipsynching to Ebe Stignani. La Stignani needs no further introduction, but Miss Maxwell is perhaps better known even to operagoers for a non-operatic role.This is of course the 1953 Italian film of Aida that also starred the 19-year-old Sophia Loren with the voice of the…

on December 02, 2006 at 9:58 PM

A sneak preview of Natalie Dessay‘s Lucia, scheduled for next season’s opening night at the Met. La Cieca hears that Dessay’s first Met Lucia will be a new production, but she guesses it will not be this one from the Opéra Bastille (bootlegged about six weeks ago). Though, to tell the truth, this soprano would…

on November 26, 2006 at 12:32 AM

Live, unedited, current and obviously unauthorized opera video. If you discover any such snippets on YouTube, let La Cieca know.

on November 22, 2006 at 6:40 PM