“It’s human to lie”
On this day in 1950 the film Rashomon, directed by Akira Kurosawa, was released.
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And in this corner…
Surely it is high time to choose a nickname for mauling maestro Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
All to the Gute
Born on this day in 1958 actor Steve Guttenberg.
Outside the Thalberg Building
Happy 69 to that infeffable composite of homme de lettres, grande dame, diseuse and monstre sacré we mortals call Charles Busch.
The comeback
David Daniels has just confided that he has this week received two singing engagement offers in Europe.
By La Cieca
“Art is an elastic sort of love”
On this day in 2021 the French government announced that dancer, singer, spy and civil rights activist Josephine Baker will be the first black woman to be interred in the Panthéon in Paris.
Horne aplenty
Recent discussion about the merits of Le Prophète has prompted Chris’s Cache to unearth a pirate recording of Meyerbeer’s opera with Marilyn Horne, Rita Shane and Guy Chauvet led by Charles Mackerras, along with an earlier collaboration of the mezzo and conductor: Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice in which Horne goes to hell to get back Adriana Maliponte with the help of Judith Blegen.
Janet, Queen of Scots
Happy 90th birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker.
Empty salons, corridors, salons, doors
On this day in 1961 at the 22nd Venice Film Festival L’Année dernière à Marienbad directed by Alain Resnais won the Leone d’oro award.
Fashion changes; style remains
Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel.
It has to be more than that
Before rehearsals for Madama Butterfly started, Phil Chan sat down with the box to chat about his production, opera’s cultural appropriation problem, and why the last thing he’s trying to do is cancel Puccini.
Positively teeming with sex
One of my absolute favorite later Cole Porter lyrics.
“Storytelling is important”
Happy 87th birthday to actor and filmmaker Robert Redford.
The girl on the scene
Born on this day in 1893 actress and playwright Mae West, seen here trying her delicate pink hand at R&B at the tender age of 77.
I’ll play the game
Born on this day in 1928 songstress Eydie Gormé.
Renata Scotto 1934-2023
The Italian soprano, pedagogue and mentor has died. She was 89.
Dance to the music
I can’t say it’s precisely my idea of Handel, but I’ve watched this clip at least a half dozen times!
Jolly old town!
On this day in 1939 the musical film The Wizard of Oz premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
“Paramount paid me by the tear”
Born on this day in 1910 actress Sylvia Sidney.
Remember my forgotten soprano
This week Chris’s Cache features Maria Chiara, Elena Mauti-Nunziata, Rita Orlandi-Malaspina and Orianna Santunione in L’Amico Fritz, Mefistofele, Simon Boccanegra and La Fanciulla del West, respectively.
August company
Born on this day in 1911 actress and comedienne Lucille Ball.
The stuff that dreams are made of
Born on this day in 1906 actor, director and screenwriter John Huston.