An ounce of brandy An ounce of brandy

Born on this day in 1906 actress and author Mary Astor.

La Rondine La Rondine

Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Lisette Oropesa, Roberto Alagna, Marius Brenciu, and Samuel Ramey, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Nicolas Joël. From January 10, 2009.

Shark in a tent Shark in a tent

The great Dalai Lama once said, “whenever there is a challenge, there is also an opportunity to face it, to demonstrate and develop our will and determination.”

“Nobody’s interested in sweetness and light” “Nobody’s interested in sweetness and light”

Born on this day in 1885 columnist and actress Hedda Hopper.

Adriana Lecouvreur Adriana Lecouvreur

Starring Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczala, and Ambrogio Maestri, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Production by Sir David McVicar. From January 12, 2019.

And now a word from our sponsors And now a word from our sponsors

La Cieca (not pictured) is delighted to welcome back to parterre box two of our nicest advertisers!

Losing a legend Losing a legend

Viewers flocked to parterre box last month to read the sad news of the passing of legendary mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig.

In her golden shell In her golden shell

Born on this day in 1917 actress and singer Danielle Darrieux.

La Traviata La Traviata

Starring Ileana Cotrubas, Plácido Domingo, and Cornell MacNeil, conducted by James Levine. Production by Colin Graham. From March 28, 1981.

The lady Eve The lady Eve

Born on this day in 1908 actress Eve Arden.

Manon Manon

Starring Lisette Oropesa, Michael Fabiano, Artur Rucinski, and Kwangchul Youn, conducted by Maurizio Benini. Production by Laurent Pelly. From October 26, 2019.

Shining through Shining through

Trove Thursday celebrates Christa Ludwig with live excerpts from 1955 through 1982.

Faust Faust

Bertrand de Billy conducts; Frank Castorf directs. Starring Juan Diego Flórez, Nicole Car, Adam Palka, Étienne Dupuis, Martin Häßler, Kate Lindsey, Monika Bohinec.

Ça vous caresse avec ivresse Ça vous caresse avec ivresse

Born on this day in 1924 ballerina and actress Zizi Jeanmaire.

Andrea Chénier Andrea Chénier

Starring Maria Guleghina, Wendy White, Stephanie Blythe, Luciano Pavarotti, and Juan Pons, conducted by James Levine. Production by Nicolas Joël. From October 15, 1996.

Color Me Karita Color Me Karita

Superstar diva on Twitter and everywhere else Karita Mattila has just unveiled her next project!

Kitten with a whip Kitten with a whip

Happy 80th birthday to triple threat Ann-Margret.

The Merry Widow The Merry Widow

Starring Renée Fleming, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn, Alek Shrader, and Sir Thomas Allen, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Production by Susan Stroman. From January 17, 2015.

Critics’ darling Critics’ darling

Born on this day in 1937 actress Sandy Dennis.

La Bohème La Bohème

Starring Sonya Yoncheva, Susanna Phillips, Michael Fabiano, Lucas Meachem, and Matthew Rose conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From February 24, 2018.

“I love audiences” “I love audiences”

Happy 88th birthday to actress, comedian, singer and writer Carol Burnett.

Dialogues des Carmélites Dialogues des Carmélites

Starring Isabel Leonard, Adrianne Pieczonka and Karita Mattila, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Production by John Dexter. From May 11, 2019.

Christa Ludwig 1928 – 2021 Christa Ludwig 1928 – 2021

The renowned interpreter of Wagner, Mozart and Strauss for more than four decades died yesterday.

First Lady of Song First Lady of Song

Born on this day in 1917 singer Ella Fitzgerald.