Serve it ancient city style Serve it ancient city style

On this day in 1960 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with the company premiere of Nabucco.

“She is a fighter” “She is a fighter”

On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Grace Bumbry suffered an acute ischemic stroke. The renowned American opera star is currently hospitalized and in recovery in Queens, New York.

Minnie series Minnie series

On this day in 1961 Leontyne Price opened the Metropolitan Opera season in La fanciulla del West.

I puritani I puritani

Jessica Pratt and John Osborn star in a performance from Rome Opera.

Tour de force Tour de force

On this day in 1973 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Les Troyens.

Divina intervention Divina intervention

Jolie IS Callas!

“A teacher must have a great deal of experience” “A teacher must have a great deal of experience”

Happy 97th birthday soprano Virginia Zeani.

Idomeneo Idomeneo

Michael Spyres stars in the title role of the ancient Cretan king, alongside Kate Lindsey as Idamante, Ying Fang as Ilia, and Federica Lombardi as Elettra.

Quiet please, there’s a lady on stage Quiet please, there’s a lady on stage

On this day in 2008 Anja Harteros sang her first Metropolitan Opera Violetta.

For coloratura soprano For coloratura soprano

Born on this day in 1900 soprano Erna Berger.

A study in simplicity and profundity A study in simplicity and profundity

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays” – Soren Kierkegaard

Get happy Get happy

On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera revived La Gioconda with Martina Arroyo in the title role.

The clue whose meaning we avoid The clue whose meaning we avoid

We watch Peter Grimes being made into a deviant— a process that can take place through the mechanism of the law, but often happens outside of it through social processes.

Don’t mask, don’t tell Don’t mask, don’t tell

The Metropolitan Opera and other classical music venue are dropping their mask requirements for audience members.

Meticulously shaped, beautifully tinted Meticulously shaped, beautifully tinted

Stefan Vinke brings to Tristan an indefatigable heldentenor of sturdy, muscular brilliance and a physical intensity that allowed him to fearlessly traverse this complex character’s broad emotional compass.

Nothing tempting or yielding Nothing tempting or yielding

On this day in 1963 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Manon starring Anna Moffo and Nicolai Gedda.

Joy division Joy division

On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of La traviata featuring Edita Gruberova conducted by Carlos Kleiber and directed by Franco Zeffirelli.

Fedora Fedora

Sonya Yoncheva and Roberto Alagna star in a new production of Giordano’s opera at La Scala.

Infinito! Infinito!

On this day in 1962 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Franco Corelli and Eileen Farrell.

This is a gala day for you This is a gala day for you

On October 14, 1979 I spent my birthday attending my first all-star opera gala, thrilled at the chance to hear some of the great singers I’d only experienced on LPs, broadcasts or via my pirate reel-to-reel tapes.

“So much for traditional sweetness and charm” “So much for traditional sweetness and charm”

On this day in 1998 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Le nozze di Figaro featuring Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna.

Late to the party Late to the party

On this day in 1964 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Svetlana Sozdateleva and Brandon Jovanovich star in Shostakovich’s opera.

They are the champions They are the champions

This is likely the best Giargiari Bel Canto competition year in my experience, evidenced in several important ways.