Patience and fortitude
Gregory Spears’ latest opera Castor and Patience, with a libretto by former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy K. Smith, was commissioned by Cincinnati Opera to celebrate its centennial season in 2020.
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Tristan und Isolde
Opening performance of the 2022 Bayreuth Festival, broadcast live.
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).
Up is where to grow
Born on this day in 1935 actress Barbara Harris.
The Wreckers
Glyndebourne’s eagerly awaited new production comes to the Proms in a full-length semi-staged performance, complete with the raw elemental power of Ethel Smyth’s sweeping score.
When my baby smiles at me
Happy 71st birthday to actress, singer and icon Lynda Carter.
Idomeneo
Performance of July 11 at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
American dream
Happy 62nd birthday mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.
Turandot
“In a dystopian game show, reminiscent of Hunger Games, the Princess presides over a surveillance state in which men are culled and the reproduction of the human race is conducted in breeding labs.”
Like a spring shower
Born on this day in 1908 etiquette maven Amy Vanderbilt.
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
A live broadcast of Umberto Giordano’s opera from the Bregenz Festival.
“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
Happy 71st birthday to Broadway goddess Lillias White.
‘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
Born on this day in 1924 chanteuse Lola Albright.
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
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”
Born on this day in 1908 actress, dancer and singer Lupe Vélez.
I want your sax
Born on this day in 1917 actress, comedian and voice artist Phyllis Diller.
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
Born on this day in 1911 triple threat (at least) Ginger Rogers.
Nabucco
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti; Stage director: Andreas Homoki; Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Madrid.