As we continue to watch the world of live performance come cautiously back to post-COVID levels, I felt the greatest surge of joy so far when I saw Opera Philadelphia’s announcement of their 2022-23 season—and most especially, the reboot of Festival O.
On this day in 1914 female impersonator Julian Eltinge opened in The Crinoline Girl at the Knickerbocker Theatre.
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).
While it must be admitted that Elza van den Heever doesn’t have an ideally warm and agile Handel voice, she evidenced fierce control over her instrument and skillfully built a powerful portrait of the courageous Rodelida fighting for her survival.
Born on this day in 1907 controversial actress and singer Zarah Leander.
Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Ségui will lead the Met Orchestra and Chorus and star soloists.
Born on this day in 1943 actress, singer and dancer Anita Morris.
Krassimira Stoyanova, Oksana Volkova, Francesco Meli, Georg Zeppenfeld and Quinn Kelsey; conducted by Christian Thielemann.
Happy 73rd birthday soprano Julia Migenes.
For this live broadcast, Marek Janowski conducts Lise Davidsen, Brandon Jovanovich, Brenda Rae, Sean Michael Plumb and Isabel Leonard.
Happy 76th birthday to the one and only Miss Liza Minnelli.
Despite a star-studded cast, last night’s Anyone Can Whistle at Carnegie Hall ultimately failed to take flight.
Soprano Elza van den Heever makes her role debut as the title heroine. Harry Bicket conducts a cast that also features mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, countertenors Iestyn Davies and Anthony Roth Costanzo, tenor Paul Appleby, and bass-baritone Adam Plachetka.
Jaromir Weinberger’s Svanda dudák is rarely performed at all and more often than not in German rather than its original Czech, so Trove Thursday inevitably offers Schwanda der Dudelsackpfeifer from Dresden with Marjorie Owens, Tichina Vaughn, Christoph Pohl and Ladislav Elgr.
Born on this day in 1903 author, politician, U.S. ambassador and public conservative figure Clare Boothe Luce.
Born on this day in 1918 “hard-boiled” crime novelist Mickey Spillane.
We have two reasons for celebrating Jessye Norman and the first is a release on the BBC / London Philharmonic Orchestra label of a Richard Strauss concert.
Born on this say in 1922 actress and dancer Cyd Charisse.
The Metropolitan Opera announced today “A Concert for Ukraine” on Monday, March 14, at 6:00pm ET, with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leading the Met Orchestra and Chorus.
Born on this day in 1959 Broadway diva Donna Murphy.
Happy 78th birthday soprano Kiri Te Kanawa.
The Bayerische Staatsoper streams its new production of Britten’s tragedy. Conductor: Edward Gardner. Production: Stefan Herheim.
Born on this day in 1922 actor, director, and screenwriter Pier Paolo Pasolini.
From January 6, 1973: Richard Bonynge; Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Regina Resnik, Fernando Corena
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