Souvenirs of a killing
On this day in 1958 the psychological thriller Vertigo was released.
Recent Stories
Grace Bumbry 1937-2023
In voice, artistic sensibility and glamour, the singer was every inch a diva.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Nervous system theater
Like a sommelier of male entitlement, Peter Mattei paired with precision moves from a wide-ranging vocabulary of gesture.
“Nothing is wrong that great singing won’t cure”
On this day in 1946 the Metropolitan Opera presented La Gioconda on tour in Chicago.
Ein Feldlager in Schlesien
Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Singspiel in three acts, as broadcast from Bonn Opera.
Glitter and gold
On this day in 2017 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated 50 years at Lincoln Center.
Calling all fairies!
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, presented at Carnegie Hall this past Wednesday by MasterVoices, is a charming rom-com that pits the feminine world of nature against masculine government with unabashedly silly and utterly delightful results.
La bohème
Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Puccini’s timeless tragedy for the first time at the Met, leading a cast that stars Eleonora Buratto and Stephen Costello.
The look of love
Born on this day in 1895 actor Rudolph Valentino.
Don GIovanni
Peter Mattei heads a luxe cast conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann.
“Wonderfully, incomparably”
On this day in 1927 the Metropolitan Opera presented La forza del destino on tour in Cleveland, Ohio.
I’ll remember April
If April is the cruelest month, it may be that spring’s arrival brings far too many things to do and see.
“This night will be a long night”
On this day in 1944 MGM released the melodrama Gaslight.
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!
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.