It always hits the spot It always hits the spot

On this day in 1962 Liza Minnelli made her off-Broadway debut in the musical Best Foot Forward.

Falstaff Falstaff

Today’s Met matinee broadcast is the final performance this season of the acclaimed revival of Verdi’s comedy.

Just once in a lifetime a diva knows a moment Just once in a lifetime a diva knows a moment

In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.

The merriest of widows she The merriest of widows she

Happy April Fools’ Day!

You must believe in spring You must believe in spring

Chris’s Cache ends March with Berlioz’s exquisite Shakespeare adaptation Béatrice et Bénédict because it’s just the best thing to listen to on a spring day.

“A magnificent creature” “A magnificent creature”

On this day in 1994 the already legendary Mirella Freni brought her interpretation of Adriana Lecouvreur to the Metropolitan Opera.

Slow simmer Slow simmer

This was by far my most satisfying experience with Pelléas et Mélisande for a multitude of reasons and I encourage anyone who’s even mildly curious to find their way to the Music Center for a very rich experience.

Preaching to the choir Preaching to the choir

Unfortunately, LOC’s Proximity works only fitfully. 

A woman’s prerogative A woman’s prerogative

On this day in 1946 Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer‘s musical St. Louis Woman opened at Martin Beck Theater.

A hole new world A hole new world

Here’s an update for those keeping up with the Lohengrin casting sweepstakes at the Met.

Open concept Open concept

In Boston Lyric Opera’s production of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, which closed on Sunday after a nearly sold-out run—there are no doors.

The ephemeral feminine The ephemeral feminine

It’s debated whether Lili Boulanger’s Faust et Hélène, clocking in at only about 30 minutes, can be considered a cantata, a one-act opera, or a “lyric episode.”

Urteufelin Urteufelin

On this day in 2001, Violeta Urmana made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Kundry.

Somewhere in time Somewhere in time

The current Met revival of Der Rosenkavalier, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.

A step backwards into conventionality A step backwards into conventionality

On this day in 1981 the Metropolitan Opera telecast its new and unremarkable production of La traviata.

Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

This much-anticipated revival stars Lise Davidsen and Günther Groissböck.

I’ll plant my own tree I’ll plant my own tree

Richard Strauss’ “Bucolic Tragedy in One Act” Daphne is one of his most beautiful and most frustrating works. 

The queens’ gambit The queens’ gambit

The sharp and glitzy national tour production of Six doesn’t suffer from a sense of staleness due to familiarity.

A fella with an umbrella A fella with an umbrella

On this day in 1952 the film Singin’ in the Rain premiered at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

Turandot Turandot

The complete new recording played by Radio Beethoven in Santiago, Chile.

Mounting dread Mounting dread

On this day in 1992 the Metropolitan Opera presented a [disastrous] new production of Elektra.

Norma Norma

Helena Dix is our Druidess of the Day.

And when I die And when I die

Born on this day in 1910 soprano Magda Olivero.

O, swear not by the matinee! O, swear not by the matinee!

Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!