It ain’t necessary It ain’t necessary

Born on this day in 1894 composer and arranger/orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett.

Telling the world we are not invisible Telling the world we are not invisible

Director Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights has come around at exactly the right moment.

Here’s to us! Here’s to us!

Born on this day in 1929 composer Seymour Kaufman (better known as Cy Coleman).

Così fan tutte Così fan tutte

Starring Amanda Majeski, Serena Malfi, Kelli O’Hara, Ben Bliss, Adam Plachetka, and Christopher Maltman, conducted by David Robertson. Production by Phelim McDermott. From March 31, 2018.

La fanciulla del West La fanciulla del West

From the Staatsoper Berlin: Anja Kampe, Marcelo Álvarez and Michael Volle, conducted by Antonio Pappano.

I hope you’re satisfied! I hope you’re satisfied!

Born on this day in 1926 funnyman Paul Lynde.

Macbeth Macbeth

From the Vienna State Opera, Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Roberto Tagliavini and Freddi De Tommaso, conducted by Philippe Jordan.

I am worshipped by millions I am worshipped by millions

On this day in 1963 the spectacular and troubled film Cleopatra finally premiered.

The Tempest The Tempest

Starring Audrey Luna, Isabel Leonard, Iestyn Davies, Alek Shrader, Alan Oke, William Burden, Toby Spence, and Simon Keenlyside, conducted by Thomas Adès. Production by Robert Lepage. From November 10, 2012.

Naught can efface you Naught can efface you

Born on this day in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.

Miss Show Business Miss Show Business

Born on this day in 1922 entertainer Judy Garland.

Desperate housewife Desperate housewife

As New Yorkers swelter in the Fahrenheit 90s. Trove Thursday escapes to wintry Vienna 1920s for Richard Strauss’s Intermezzo (in English) sumptuously conducted by Julius Rudel and starring the incomparable Elisabeth Söderström as the delicious, exasperating wife of Alan Titus.

Deep in the heart of me Deep in the heart of me

Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.

And now someone else is getting all your best And now someone else is getting all your best

Happy 81st birthday to songstress Nancy Sinatra.

Rigoletto Rigoletto

Starring Diana Damrau, Oksana Volkova, Piotr Beczala, Zeljko Lucic, and Stefan Kocan, conducted by Michele Mariotti. Production by Michael Mayer. From February 16, 2013.

You couldn’t buy this kind of publicity You couldn’t buy this kind of publicity

Born on this day in 1924 actress and singer Dolores Gray.

The Queen of Technicolor The Queen of Technicolor

Born on this day in 1912, actress Maria Montez.

Macbeth Macbeth

Starring Anna Netrebko, Joseph Calleja, Zeljko Lucic, and René Pape, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Production by Adrian Noble. From October 11, 2014.

Billy Budd Billy Budd

Performance from March 8, 1997.
Steuart Bedford; Philip Langridge (Captain Vere), Dwayne Croft (Billy Budd), James Morris (Claggart), Victor Braun (Mr. Redburn), Julien Robbins (Lt. Ratcliffe), James Courtney (Mr. Flint), Paul Plishka (Dansker)

Maid about you Maid about you

Happy 56th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.

Porgy and Bess Porgy and Bess

Starring Angel Blue, Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Eric Owens, Alfred Walker, and Donovan Singletary, conducted by David Robertson. Production by James Robinson. From February 1, 2020.

“Did you get her innuendo?” “Did you get her innuendo?”

Born on this day in 1907 actress Rosalind Russell.

La Fille du Régiment La Fille du Régiment

Starring Pretty Yende, Stephanie Blythe, Kathleen Turner, Javier Camarena, and Maurizio Muraro, conducted by Enrique Mazzola. Production by Laurent Pelly. From March 2, 2019.

I have a song to sing, O! I have a song to sing, O!

The lovely English soprano Valerie Masterson turns 84 today, prompting Trove Thursday to present her in a pair of her specialties.