The expansive and the ostentatious The expansive and the ostentatious

Proudly and vividly on display was Anna Netrebko’s unique and glamorous ability to wear the music like a parade of couture gowns—some more sparkly than others, some a more flattering fit, but all thoughtfully chosen and laced into with care.

Debutante Debutante

On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.

 Ariadne auf Naxos  Ariadne auf Naxos

Starring Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Tatiana Troyanos, and James King, conducted by James Levine. Production by Bodo Igesz. From March 12, 1988.

Met Stars in Concert: Anna Netrebko in Vienna Met Stars in Concert: Anna Netrebko in Vienna

Anna Netrebko performs “a program of captivating Russian songs by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as selections by Strauss, Debussy, Fauré, and more.” Live from Vienna’s historic Spanish Riding School.

The hero with no vices The hero with no vices

Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.

Remote control Remote control

The Met Orchestra will stream a concert including the virtual participation of Angela Gheorghiu live from Bucharest.

Il pirata Il pirata

From the Teatro San Carlo, featuring Sondra Radvanovsky, Celso Albelo and Luca Salsi, conducted by Antonino Fogliani.

“Sex and I have a lot in common” “Sex and I have a lot in common”

On this day in 1949 the legendary Mae West revived her 1928 play Diamond Lil at the Coronet Theatre, playing (ça va sans dire) the title role.

The boys from Syracuse The boys from Syracuse

Trove Thursday begins February with two striking versions of Rossini’s Tancredi.

The hard way The hard way

Born on this day in 1918 actress, director and producer Ida Lupino.

Dialogues des Carmélites Dialogues des Carmélites

Starring Maria Ewing, Jessye Norman, Betsy Norden, Régine Crespin, and Florence Quivar, conducted by Manuel Rosenthal. Production by John Dexter. From April 4, 1987.

Idomeneo Idomeneo

From the Vienna State Opera, Christoph Eschenbach conducts Michael Schade, Margarita Gritskova, Maria Bengtsson and Chen Reiss.

Wild things leave skins behind them Wild things leave skins behind them

We shared a feeling that writing about The Fugitive Kind was a date with destiny.

Half indoors and half out of doors Half indoors and half out of doors

Born on this day in 1887 poet and expatriate Gertrude Stein.

La forza del destino La forza del destino

Starring Leontyne Price, Isola Jones, Giuseppe Giacomini, Leo Nucci, and Bonaldo Giaiotti, conducted by James Levine. Production by John Dexter. From March 24, 1984.

Jenufa Jenufa

Lise Davidsen‘s role debut in Janacek’s opera with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Patrick Lange.

Celestial voice Celestial voice

Happy 84th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.

Porgy and Bess Porgy and Bess

Starring Angel Blue, Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Eric Owens, Alfred Walker, and Donovan Singletary, conducted by David Robertson. Production by James Robinson. From February 1, 2020.

High notes and high drama High notes and high drama

That Beczala/Radvanovsky online recital, viewed and reviewed, really caught the eye of the cher public in the month of January.

Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

Update: The previously announced Nozze performance has been canceled. In its place the VSO will stream Der Rosenkavalier.

On the side of the angels On the side of the angels

Born on this day in 1922 soprano Renata Tebaldi.

La traviata La traviata

The 2014 SFO presentation of John Copley’s production stars Nicole Cabell as the courtesan Violetta Valéry and Stephen Costello as Alfredo Germont. The cast also includes Vladimir Stoyanov as Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont.

Perspective Perspective

Born on this day in 1902 actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Rigoletto Rigoletto

Starring Diana Damrau, Oksana Volkova, Piotr Beczala, Željko Lucic, and Štefan Kocán, conducted by Michele Mariotti. From February 16, 2013.