Endearing gifts
Since my previous CD round-up review the onslaught of solo recital disks of 18th century (and sometimes also 17th) vocal music has continued unabated.
Recent Stories
I’m not a joke guy
Born on this day in 1946 actor, director and screenwriter Eugene Levy.
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).
She’s here
Born on this day in 1961 Broadway (and elsewhere) diva LaChanze.
The Battle of Carnegie Hall
Trove Thursday sneaks in one more OONY offering before 2021 ends: Verdi’s rare La Battaglia di Legnano from 1987 with Aprile Millo, Mario Malagnini, and Matteo Manuguerra.
Four boys to dance with
On this day in 1952 Bette Davis headlined the opening night of the Broadway revue Two’s Company.
Everything new is old again
I see in Kimberly Akimbo an audacious idea, once unthinkable territory for a musical, which is realized through a highly imaginative and often unpredictable use of song and especially open-ended ensemble writing.
“Too sexy for Italy”
Born on this day in 1932 songstress Abbe Lane.
Star quality
The 1990s effectively signaled a new phase in Edita Gruberova‘s career with her undertaking more demanding, heavier roles, while still essaying Zerbinetta and Lucia.
Low down
Born on this day in 1910 songstress Lillian Roth.
“Everybody is nothing until you love them”
On this day in 1955 the film The Rose Tattoo premiered in New York City.
Tosca
Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Sondra Radvanovsky (Tosca), Brian Jagde (Cavaradossi), George Gagnidze (Scarpia) and Patrick Carfizzi (Sacristan).
“Life is a song – sing it!”
Happy 90th birthday actress and singer Rita Moreno.
The Magic Flute
“Rolando Villazón makes an exciting role debut as the lovable lout Papageno.”
First offense
Born on this day in 1903 actress Una Merkel.
Sorry/Ungrateful
Katrina Lenk’s Bobbie dutifully channels an assertive, contemporary, sexually confident female persona, but it doesn’t feel fully realized or convincing.
The key of dreams
My sister Julie celebrates an important birthday later this month which reminded me—as I also recalled I visiting her while she was living in Prague—that I should unearth Bohuslav Martin?’s Julietta with Lucia Popp and Dénes Gulyás for this week’s Trove Thursday.
Where’s craft?
Born on this day in 1902 actress Margaret Hamilton.
Out of the repast
The entire dinner was spent discussing conductors.
A kiss on the hand
On this day in 1949 the Jule Styne musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opened on Broadway.
Macbeth
Riccardo Chailly conducts a new production of Verdi’s tragedy featuring Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Ildar Abdrazakov and Francesco Meli.
Child, you’re out of your mind!
Born on this day in 1893 actress Fay Bainter.
Lavender lady
Born on this day in 1900 actress Agnes Moorehead.
Analyzing what you haven’t got as well as what you have
Born on this day in 1898 soprano Grace Moore.