Second banana Second banana

Happy 73rd birthday actress, comedian, talk show host, and singer Vicki Lawrence.

Don Carlos Don Carlos

Network Broadcast Premiere of French-language version

Eugene Onegin Eugene Onegin

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

Enter the queen Enter the queen

Eleonora Buratto will make her role debut as Elisabeth de Valois in Verdi’s Don Carlo in the 2022–23 season, replacing Anna Netrebko for the first five performances of the run.”

Light up my Rameau Light up my Rameau

For those who complain (not entirely unfairly) that Handel operas are “just a string of da capo arias,” I sometimes mutter to myself, “Have they ever tried Rameau?”

Human nature Human nature

Born on this day in 1921 actress Simone Signoret.

Turandot Turandot

RAI TV5 will televise Ai Weiwei’s production from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

The favorite The favorite

Gabriela Benacková, one of Trove Thursday’s favorite sopranos, turns 75 tomorrow, so we celebrate with two rare complete Verdi portrayals.

The Sultan of Sequins The Sultan of Sequins

Born on this day in 1940 designer Bob Mackie.

Baby got backup Baby got backup

Michel van der Aa’s new opera UPLOAD at the Park Avenue Armory explores the various ethical issues surrounding AI while coming back to a set of classic philosophical questions about free will, pain and the nature of the soul.

“I am just too much” “I am just too much”

Born on this day in 1904(!) actress Joan Crawford.

Turandot Turandot

Michael Fabiano makes his role debut as Calaf in this performance from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

Daughter of the wind Daughter of the wind

Happy 72nd birthday actress, director and screenwriter Fanny Ardant.

Soaring on multicolored wings Soaring on multicolored wings

Eleanora Buratto at this fully matured point of her career has a warm, creamy full lyric soprano that has the roundness and sweet warmth of a Freni but can also expand into the spinto power of a Tebaldi. 

‘Così,’ cheap ‘n cheerful ‘Così,’ cheap ‘n cheerful

In 2022, making Così fan tutte intimate is not a radical act. Making it enjoyable, however, is.

La peau douce La peau douce

Born on this day in 1942 actress Françoise Dorléac.

Salome Salome

The Bard Conservatory Orchestra joins an exciting principal cast of singers in a semi-staged performance of Richard Strauss’s once infamous, now famous opera, directed by R. B. Schlather.

Some sunny day Some sunny day

Born on this day in 1917 English songstress Dame Vera Lynn.

Shining ‘Hours’ Shining ‘Hours’

Dramaturgically, The Hours is a mixed bag: I wouldn’t discard it, but I would want to fix it. But simply as an evening of gorgeous music and singing, it’s cordon bleu. 

Rodelinda Rodelinda

Captivating soprano Elza van den Heever sings her first Handel at the Met, making her role debut as the title heroine of the composer’s stunning Baroque drama. Harry Bicket conducts.

“Ursula Undress” “Ursula Undress”

Happy 86th birthday actress Ursula Andress.

Don Carlos Don Carlos

From the Metropolitan Opera, Matthew Polenzani, Sonya Yoncheva, Jamie Barton, Etienne Dupuis, Eric Owens and John Relyea.

Worth the wait Worth the wait

Ana Maria Martinez is an artist of the first caliber, which was richly evident throughout this imaginative, substantial (nearly two hours!) program, which was (thank you!) offered without a music stand.

From A to Z From A to Z

Has there ever been a more perfect opera to watch after a breakup than Ariadne auf Naxos?