Vertigo more than tuberculosis Vertigo more than tuberculosis

This Traviata remained firmly Beltway-bound and by the time I had gotten home, the 45-minute traffic jam to leave the parking lot was eminently fresher in my mind than the evening’s performance.

Siberia Siberia

A live broadcast of Umberto Giordano’s opera from the Bregenz Festival.

“Be as a bird” “Be as a bird”

Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its new season on September 9 with an all-American Ernani, prompting a Trove Thursday preview with three versions of my favorite early Verdi opera featuring as its unlucky heroine: Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo and Aprile Millo.

I ain’t no machine I ain’t no machine

Happy 71st birthday to Broadway goddess Lillias White.

‘Big D’ energy ‘Big D’ energy

Only three years separate the creation of The Most Happy Fella (1956) and The Sound of Music (1959), but there’s a proverbial ocean between these two Golden Age musicals are being performed at prestigious festivals this summer.

You better take my advice You better take my advice

Born on this day in 1924 chanteuse Lola Albright.

Summertime lies Summertime lies

A trip to Mediterranean climes came through musically, as the Boston Symphony Orchestra presented a largely satisfying concert performance of Don Giovanni on July 16.

I’m gonna miss you, baby I’m gonna miss you, baby

On this day in 1951, Dolores Gray, Bert Lahr and a flock of other talent invaded the Mark Hellinger Theatre for the revue Two on the Aisle.

“I will never fail” “I will never fail”

Born on this day in 1908 actress, dancer and singer Lupe Vélez.

Capriccio Capriccio

Live from the Munich Prinzregententheater.

I want your sax I want your sax

Born on this day in 1917 actress, comedian and voice artist Phyllis Diller.

Le Songe d’un nuit d’été Le Songe d’un nuit d’été

The very free adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream set by Ambroise Thomas, as heard at Wexford in 2021.

Humming a different tune Humming a different tune

Born on this day in 1911 triple threat (at least) Ginger Rogers.

Nabucco Nabucco

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti; Stage director: Andreas Homoki; Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Madrid.

Gee but it’s nice to see you again Gee but it’s nice to see you again

Happy 76th birthday to singer and songwriter Linda Ronstadt.

Behold the happy pair Behold the happy pair

Beverly Sills and Renée Fleming perform 30 years apart the same work with the same orchestra in the same venue!

He’ll look at me and smile He’ll look at me and smile

Born on this day in 1930 actress and singer Polly Bergen.

Mother, forgive the delay Mother, forgive the delay

On this day in 2010 Rialto divas Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch went into a revival of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Maria Stuarda Maria Stuarda

Heading the cast of this Irish National Opera production is mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught.

Star-surrounded, high above Star-surrounded, high above

Born on this day in 1895 soprano Kirsten Flagstad.

“People believe what they want to believe” “People believe what they want to believe”

Born on this day in 1931 actor Tab Hunter.

Tears of a clown Tears of a clown

Happy 53rd birthday tenor Jonas Kaufmann.

Rienzi Rienzi

Marc Albrecht leads Wagner’s early grand opera, recorded June 22 at the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Budapest.

“Forever is a very long time” “Forever is a very long time”

Born on this day in 1901 authoress Barbara Cartland.