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?

A lady has responsibilities A lady has responsibilities

Happy 58th birthday to actress and singer Vanessa Williams.

Hopelessly human Hopelessly human

The Boston Symphony and Alban Berg’s “Wir arme Leut” spread musical riches at Carnegie Hall.

But whom to love?To trust and treasure? But whom to love?To trust and treasure?

Trove Thursday welcomes the return to the Met of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin on March 25 with a collection of important moments from the opera.

You will see her dance You will see her dance

Born on this day in 1906 actress Brigitte Helm.

Passion play Passion play

Los Angeles Opera’s St. Matthew Passion was by equal parts challenging and hypnotic to watch.

A Philly that is ready for the race A Philly that is ready for the race

As we continue to watch the world of live performance come cautiously back to post-COVID levels, I felt the greatest surge of joy so far when I saw Opera Philadelphia’s announcement of their 2022-23 season—and most especially, the reboot of Festival O.

An adventuress An adventuress

On this day in 1914 female impersonator Julian Eltinge opened in The Crinoline Girl at the Knickerbocker Theatre.

Seria effect Seria effect

While it must be admitted that Elza van den Heever doesn’t have an ideally warm and agile Handel voice, she evidenced fierce control over her instrument and skillfully built a powerful portrait of the courageous Rodelida fighting for her survival.

Just don’t cry for love Just don’t cry for love

Born on this day in 1907 controversial actress and singer Zarah Leander.

A Concert for Ukraine A Concert for Ukraine

Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Ségui will lead the Met Orchestra and Chorus and star soloists.

She was lazing around her bedroom She was lazing around her bedroom

Born on this day in 1943 actress, singer and dancer Anita Morris.

Aida Aida

Krassimira Stoyanova, Oksana Volkova, Francesco Meli, Georg Zeppenfeld and Quinn Kelsey; conducted by Christian Thielemann.

It’s in her kiss It’s in her kiss

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Julia Migenes.

Ariadne auf Naxos Ariadne auf Naxos

For this live broadcast, Marek Janowski conducts Lise Davidsen, Brandon Jovanovich, Brenda Rae, Sean Michael Plumb and Isabel Leonard.

With a Z With a Z

Happy 76th birthday to the one and only Miss Liza Minnelli.

Crazy business this Crazy business this

Despite a star-studded cast, last night’s Anyone Can Whistle at Carnegie Hall ultimately failed to take flight.

Rodelinda Rodelinda

Soprano Elza van den Heever makes her role debut as the title heroine. Harry Bicket conducts a cast that also features mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, countertenors Iestyn Davies and Anthony Roth Costanzo, tenor Paul Appleby, and bass-baritone Adam Plachetka.

Bag it up Bag it up

Jaromir Weinberger’s Svanda dudák is rarely performed at all and more often than not in German rather than its original Czech, so Trove Thursday inevitably offers Schwanda der Dudelsackpfeifer from Dresden with Marjorie Owens, Tichina Vaughn, Christoph Pohl and Ladislav Elgr.

“No good deed goes unpunished” “No good deed goes unpunished”

Born on this day in 1903 author, politician, U.S. ambassador and public conservative figure Clare Boothe Luce.

“The first chapter sells the book” “The first chapter sells the book”

Born on this day in 1918 “hard-boiled” crime novelist Mickey Spillane.

Jessye, three ways Jessye, three ways

We have two reasons for celebrating Jessye Norman and the first is a release on the BBC / London Philharmonic Orchestra label of a Richard Strauss concert.

Beautiful dynamite Beautiful dynamite

Born on this say in 1922 actress and dancer Cyd Charisse.

The Met supports Ukraine The Met supports Ukraine

The Metropolitan Opera announced today “A Concert for Ukraine” on Monday, March 14, at 6:00pm ET, with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leading the Met Orchestra and Chorus.