On the mend
La Cieca was most gratified to see that the cher public kept visiting parterre.com and commenting on every topic under the sun during her mid-April bout of illness!
Recent Stories
Clear blue ether
On this day in 2006 tenor Klaus Florian Vogt made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Lohengrin.
A farewell to Frisell
Old opera productions at the end of their performing life can be sad affairs.
Coronations and other occasions
While Charles III’s coronation (with Harry but without Meghan and Fergie) commences in London on Saturday, the party started early last month at Carnegie Hall when the Orchestra of St. Luke’s joined by La Chappelle de Québec performed Handel’s gloriously celebratory Coronation Anthems which were composed for a 1727 crowning.
Backwards runs ‘Bohème’
Okay, let’s get the silly jokes out of the way first. Around our house, we’ve been referring to this alternately as Merrily We Bohemians Roll Along, or Emèhob Al.
I’ve roses as red as your mouth
Born on this day in 1895 lyricist Lorenz Hart.
“Ah, cruel!”
On this day in 1941 Citizen Kane premiered at the Palace Theater in New York City.
The more I drink
On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera broadcast L’elisir d’amore.
Love is funny
On this day in 1965, My Name is Barbra premiered on CBS.
Kintsugi for Sugihara
“A Concert for Sugihara”—presented at Carnegie Hall by New York City Opera and The American Society for Yad Vashem on Wednesday, April 19—marked 80 years since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
On a clear day you can see forever
On this day in 2013, the Metropolitan Opera revived Vec Makropulos starring Karita Mattila.
Lively soul
On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera Debut of tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Almaviva.
Artists with enough ‘oomph’?
At all of these vocal contests, including this one, I find myself fascinated and perplexed by the same question: What exactly are the judges looking for?
Elaborate coloratura, stylish élan
This review attempts to capture my ecstatic reactions to Contra-Tenor, one of the greatest recordings I’ve ever heard.
The ice storm
On this day in 1926 Puccini’s opera Turandot premiered in Milan.
“Tsk, tsk Valentina!”
On this day in 1944, the Metropolitan Opera, on tour in Chicago, presented Tosca.
Mozart for another time
Eagerly awaiting Met May Mozart Madness, Chris’s Cache presents a starry quintet of the master’s operas not being done next month.
Casual sextet
Born on this day in 1928 performer and diplomat Shirley Temple.
How high the hair
Happy 88th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto.
La bohème
Stephen Costello and Eleonora Buratto lead the bohemian pack this time around.