Celebrity of the Year
Born on this day actresses Carol Channing (1921) and Tallulah Bankhead (1902).
Recent Stories
“Theater helps people keep sane”
Happy 85th birthday to actress and activist Dame Vanessa Redgrave.
Peter Grimes
Jonas Kaufmann in the title role, with Lise Davidsen and Bryn Terfel from the Vienna State Opera.
Charity is in love
On this day in 1966 the musical Sweet Charity opened at the Palace Theatre, with Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse collaborating.
Tosca
Kristine Opolais, Jonathan Tetelman and Gábor Bretz star in a live telecast from the Theater an der Wien.
“Hope costs nothing”
Born on this day in 1873 author and woman of letters Colette.
An opening for a princess
Jamie Barton will sing Eboli in the Met’s new production of the original five-act French version of Verdi’s Don Carlos, replacing Elina Garanca, who has withdrawn.
The Queen of Spades
From the Vienna State Opera, featuring Olga Borodina in the title role.
Maria Ewing sings Mozart
Today is Mozart’s 266th birthday and I had already planned a Trove Thursday celebration when I learned that Maria Ewing had died on January 9.
Playing the diva vs. being the diva
In the last weeks of January, as the Metropolitan Opera season wound to a close (prior to the winter hiatus) two striking sopranos were thrust into the limelight.
It begins tonight
On this day in 1961: the historic Metropolitan Opera debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.
Plenty of security
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Anne Jeffreys.
When you wish upon a scar
So that there’s no confusion: the Long Day’s Journey into Night seen here is contemporary, political, brutal, and universal.
I will remember you
Only time can tell if some performances enter the collective opera memory, if such a thing even exists, as “historical”
We are family
Premiered on this day in 1909 Richard Strauss‘s Elektra.
I want your Rex
Opera Philadelphia’s return to the stage after two years was greeted by a cheering crowd who clearly would have been happy to stay longer, but as director David Devan acknowledged, this was a step in a continuing trajectory.
Madwoman
Born on this day in 1883 actress Estelle Winwood.
“I do like to win”
Happy 89th birthday to Broadway singer-dancer supreme Chita Rivera.
La bohème
Starring Maria Agresta as Mimì and Charles Castronovo as Rodolfo.
Grande dame
Born on this day in 1878 actress and acting coach Constance Collier.
Lorenzo’s toil
“Meet our new chief conductor Lorenzo Viotti – Dutch National Opera”
One of a kind
Born on this day in 1926 bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.