What’s wrong with Sammy Kaye? What’s wrong with Sammy Kaye?

On this day in 1960 the Charles Strouse-Lee Adams musical Bye Bye Birdie opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre, to run 607 performances.

Jupiter’s darling Jupiter’s darling

Born on this day in 1906 film and stage baritone Howard Keel.

A crazier day A crazier day

Saturday’s performance of Le nozze di Figaro at the Met mined the humor from Mozart’s divine setting of Beaumarchais’s play about a crazy day in the Almaviva household.

Strangeness of the body Strangeness of the body

On this past, rainy Thursday, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s delivered a really rather extraordinary performance of the St. Matthew Passion.  To me, this evening was a fascinating exploration of work.

Primitive though it may be Primitive though it may be

Born on this day in 1923 tops in taps terpsichorean Ann Miller.

Le nozze di Figaro Le nozze di Figaro

James Gaffigan; Christian Van Horn (Figaro), Ying Fang (Susanna), Federica Lombardi (Countess Almaviva), Gerald Finley (Count Almaviva), Sasha Cooke (Cherubino), Elizabeth Bishop (Marcellina), Maurizio Muraro (Dr. Bartolo).

What an adventure! What an adventure!

Born on this day in 1933 actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Camarena delivers Camarena delivers

From the multiple standing ovations, to say nothing of the gentleman in the front row waving the Mexican flag, I can safely say that a very good time was had by all.

Steam heat Steam heat

Born on this day in 1931 actor and diplomat John Gavin.

Rhymes of Passion Rhymes of Passion

Though several other versions have recently been performed and recorded, Handel’s remains the best-known Brockes Passion.

Now, baby, or never Now, baby, or never

Born on this day in 1915 singer and songwriter Billie Holiday.

The Silencer The Silencer

Born on this day in 1929 model, actress and nightclub singer Joi Lansing.

Elektra Elektra

Hear the production Our Own Eli Jacobson lauded for “Runnicles’ blazing conducting, the excellent orchestral playing, Davidsen’s youthful brilliance, Schuster’s canny artistry and veteran authority, Stemme’s humanity and intelligence…”

“I will never be below the title” “I will never be below the title”

Born on this day in 1908 Miss Bette Davis.

Contact in Red Square Contact in Red Square

The conundrum “Whose side is Anna Netrebko on?” fascinated the readers of parterre box in March.

Twisted sisters Twisted sisters

Nina Stemme’s Elektra always seemed the sanest individual onstage never quite giving over to obsession or hysteria with a good line in mordant sarcasm and contempt.

Won’t you be my neighbor? Won’t you be my neighbor?

Born on this day in 1906 television, radio, and voice actress Bea Benaderet.

She’s funny that way She’s funny that way

Happy 82nd birthday to actress Penelope Keith.

Eugene Onegin Eugene Onegin

Ailyn Pérez is Tatiana opposite Igor Golovatenko in the title role of the urbane nobleman who rejects her, much to his later dismay.

Elektra Elektra

Two thrilling sopranos join forces as Nina Stemme reprises her acclaimed portrayal of the title heroine and Lise Davidsen makes her role debut as Chrysothemis.

Fish gotta swim Fish gotta swim

Happy April Fools Day!

In the line of ‘Fire’ In the line of ‘Fire’

A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, and Los Angeles Opera, Fire Shut Up In My Bones blazed into Chicago as a stunning, highly emotional and moving performance.

Wozzeck Wozzeck

Philippe Jordan conducts Christian Gerhaher, Sean Panikkar, Jörg Schneider, Dmitry Belosselskiy and Anja Kampe in a live performance from the Vienna State Opera.

Sir John in Munich Sir John in Munich

Otto Nicolai’s Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor makes a rare and welcome reappearance next month thanks to Juilliard Opera.