Medea
Live broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s opening night, featuring Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role.
Recent Stories
A touch of class
For the season opener, Opera San José decided to explore the class conflict central to Le nozze di Figaro by transporting the opera to India, specifically during the British Raj.
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).
Ceaselessly beautiful
With the phenomenal cast that stacked Paris Opera’s production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi , it was easy to overlook the quirks of Bellini’s opera and get lost in the pleasures of glorious bel canto singing.
Royal treatment
On this day in 1983 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Les Troyens, featuring the company debut of soprano Jessye Norman.
Sexually Druid
On this day in 2017 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Norma starring Sondra Radvanovsky.
A divided duty
Rodrigo is a ball-breaking role, but Lawrence Brownlee makes the demands sound easy—tossing in additional high notes and audaciously decorating cabalettas as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
Lohengrin
From the 2022 Bayreuth Festival conducted by Christian Thielemann.
Old wine in old bottles
On this day in 2012 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a “new” production of L’Elisir d’amore.
Sweet and low: Orlinski’s Orfeo
My impression was of a very fine singer performing a role that was slightly too large for him.
Nothing held back
On this day in 1985 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a gala revival of Tosca starring Montserrat Caballé and Luciano Pavarotti.
The rest is silence
Despite the diminishing returns of her vocal means, Edita Gruberova‘s last years of her career were if anything more successful than ever.
As ‘The Raven’ flies
Festival O is back, and the sense of joy and expectation was palpable among the audience and Opera Philadelphia staff, who chatted together as we awaited the start of The Raven.
Haute couture
On this day in 2008 designers Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano took turns draping frocks on Renée Fleming for a gala opening night at the Metropolitan Opera.
A fantastic four
These are my findings and opinions (and I welcome rebuttals)!
Fresh blood
On this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Carmen.
Edita Gruberova enters the 21st century
The worst criticism perhaps was the gleeful Schadenfreude noting Edita’s voice wasn’t as under her command as it used to be.
A different type of self-consciousness altogether
Emily D’Angelo, in a moment of subversion, sang the entire program wearing casual trousers, a vest, and chunky combat boots, her cropped hair slightly mussed, and wearing only light make-up.
A sky full of stars
On this day in 1971 the Metropolitan Opera opened the final season of the Rudolf Bing regime with a revival of Don Carlo.
The Real thing
Surrounded by security and greeted by a bevy of cameras, Su Majestad la Reina Sofía brought a bit of excitement to an evening that didn’t end up being all that musically rewarding.
No heather on the hill: ‘Lucia’ in LA
LA Opera sent out an email warning that the production “contains depictions of blood, violence, and drug use, as well as strobe lights and a gunshot effect in Act III.”
The sweetest sounds
On this day in 1968 the Metropolitan Opera season opened with a revival of Adriana Lecouvreur featuring Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli.
“I am a difficult person to lead”
Born on this day in 1905 actress Greta Garbo.
Thaïs
Massenet’s opera at that Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris starring Ermonela Jaho.