Contact in Red Square
The conundrum “Whose side is Anna Netrebko on?” fascinated the readers of parterre box in March.
Recent Stories
Twisted sisters
Nina Stemme’s Elektra always seemed the sanest individual onstage never quite giving over to obsession or hysteria with a good line in mordant sarcasm and contempt.
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).
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Born on this day in 1906 television, radio, and voice actress Bea Benaderet.
She’s funny that way
Happy 82nd birthday to actress Penelope Keith.
Eugene Onegin
Ailyn Pérez is Tatiana opposite Igor Golovatenko in the title role of the urbane nobleman who rejects her, much to his later dismay.
Elektra
Two thrilling sopranos join forces as Nina Stemme reprises her acclaimed portrayal of the title heroine and Lise Davidsen makes her role debut as Chrysothemis.
In the line of ‘Fire’
A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, and Los Angeles Opera, Fire Shut Up In My Bones blazed into Chicago as a stunning, highly emotional and moving performance.
Wozzeck
Philippe Jordan conducts Christian Gerhaher, Sean Panikkar, Jörg Schneider, Dmitry Belosselskiy and Anja Kampe in a live performance from the Vienna State Opera.
Sir John in Munich
Otto Nicolai’s Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor makes a rare and welcome reappearance next month thanks to Juilliard Opera.
Out of her dreams
Happy 88th birthday actress and singer Shirley Jones.
Anti-war Anna
Anna Netrebko has issued a statement explicitly condemning the war in Ukraine.
Mark, with thee we mean to live
People these days often exclaim “…..is everything!” but often it feels like gross hyperbole. But surely anyone who has seen Mark Morris’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato since it premiered in 1989 would agree that it is indeed everything!
Welcome to the musical theater
On this day in 1970 Lauren Bacall made her dancing and “singing” debut at the Palace Theatre in Applause, a musical version of All About Eve that went on to run 895 performances.
One big heart in all the world
Born on this day in 1918 actress and singer Pearl Bailey.
Through different eyes
I was reminded at the Met’s season premiere of Eugene Onegin Friday night always to expect the unexpected.
Same as it ever was
I must confess to feeling a bit of “Tosca fatigue” as I entered the Lyric Opera of Chicago house for Wednesday’s matinee of the Puccini standard.
Vagabond shoes
Happy 36th birthday singer, songwriter, and actress Lady Gaga.
I’m the greatest star
Born on this day in 1899 film diva and entrepreneuse Gloria Swanson.
Second banana
Happy 73rd birthday actress, comedian, talk show host, and singer Vicki Lawrence.
Eugene Onegin
Ailyn Pérez makes her role debut as Tatiana opposite Igor Golovatenko in the title role of the urbane nobleman who rejects her, much to his later dismay.
Enter the queen
“Eleonora Buratto will make her role debut as Elisabeth de Valois in Verdi’s Don Carlo in the 2022–23 season, replacing Anna Netrebko for the first five performances of the run.”