Arch types
What do you see when you look at Into the Woods? Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine‘s musical might serve as a kind of theatrical Rorschach test.
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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).
Everybody loves to take a bow
On this day in 1975 Rossini’s Siege of Corinth had its American stage premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, with Beverly Sills making her official Met debut.
The best of heroes and the worst of heroes
On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Andrea Chénier.
A dazzling range of colors
I wish more sopranos programmed recitals like Fatma Said does.
Some disenchanted evening
Today Chris’s Cache offers Angela Meade in Les vêpres siciliennes, along with a complementary I vespri siciliani starring Carol Vaness, another favorite American soprano.
“I will never be below the title”
Born on this day in 1908 actress Bette Davis.
Der Rosenkavalier
“The current Met revival, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.”
I shall be released
Welcome, beloveds, to the Jessye Norman Memorial Museum. I’ll be the docent for your tour today.
Go for baroque
On this day in 2013 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare.
One grand, fluid line
On this day in 1975 soprano Magda Olivero made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Tosca.
They trod a path that many have trod
Sweeney Todd is by any measure a triumphant show, the kind that makes an audience understand why Broadway is American theater’s gold standard
It always hits the spot
On this day in 1962 Liza Minnelli made her off-Broadway debut in the musical Best Foot Forward.
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
In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.
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”
On this day in 1994 the already legendary Mirella Freni brought her interpretation of Adriana Lecouvreur to the Metropolitan Opera.
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
Unfortunately, LOC’s Proximity works only fitfully.
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
Here’s an update for those keeping up with the Lohengrin casting sweepstakes at the Met.
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.