The ties that bind The ties that bind

Like everyone reading this, I imagine, I’ve missed going to see and hear something in person more than I thought possible.

The Lady Eve The Lady Eve

For nearly 70 years, New York City was the world capital of concert opera thanks first to the American Opera Society, then to Eve Queler’s Opera Orchestra of New York.

Mai Tosca alla scena più tragica fu! Mai Tosca alla scena più tragica fu!

On this day in 1900 Puccini’s Tosca premiered in Rome.

Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

Starring Renée Fleming, Christine Schäfer, Susan Graham, Eric Cutler, Thomas Allen, and Kristinn Sigmundsson, conducted by Edo de Waart. From January 9, 2010.

Call of the wild Call of the wild

Call Out is an ample demonstration of Zachary James’ many talents—and an inspiring example of the artistic light that can be generated even when our theaters are temporarily dark.

On the beach On the beach

The immediate and personal catastrophe interleaves with the general and universal and ancient.

Götterdämmerung Götterdämmerung

Adam Fischer leads Christian Franz, Linda Watson, Eric Halfvarson and Jochen Schmeckenbecher.

Queen of tears Queen of tears

Born on this day in 1905 actress Kay Francis.

Thaïs Thaïs

Starring Renée Fleming, Michael Schade, and Thomas Hampson, conducted by Jesús López-Cobos. From December 20, 2008.

The Cunning Little Vixen The Cunning Little Vixen

From the Vienna State Opera, 2016.

The remains of the gay The remains of the gay

This year’s earth-shaking advance in gay cinema apparently was the first inclusion of same-sex couples in “Christmas rom-coms.”

Crossing over Crossing over

Without furnishings to distract them, the cast prowled the stage with sinister energy, exchanging significant looks and deadly secrets as though fearing Nihilists behind every drapery.

A paradoxical voice A paradoxical voice

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos.

Le nozze di Figaro Le nozze di Figaro

The Met’s new “All Renée All the Time” format kicks off with a performance from November 11, 1998 starring Herself, Cecilia Bartoli, Susanne Mentzer, Dwayne Croft, and Bryn Terfel, conducted by James Levine.

Times after times Times after times

Despite the ongoing pandemic and the political upheaval, the Prototype Festival is back, and it is bigger and more accessible than ever before.

You aren’t any good to me dead You aren’t any good to me dead

The Murder of Halit Yozgat by Ben Frost and Petter Ekmann is flavorsome in its use of sound, vocal and otherwise, to explore the elements of the story, to keep you tied in, and guessing.

Electrifying Electrifying

On this day in 1934 soprano Lotte Lehmann made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

Il Trovatore Il Trovatore

Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Dolora Zajick, Marcelo Álvarez, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Stefan Kocán, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From April 30, 2011.

Siegfried Siegfried

From the Vienna State Opera: Adam Fischer conducts Christian Franz, Linda Watson, Tomasz Konieczny, Herwig Pecoraro and Jochen Schmeckenbecher.

Top of the world Top of the world

Happy 86th birthday baritone Sherrill Milnes.

Maria Stuarda Maria Stuarda

Starring Elza van den Heever, Joyce DiDonato, Matthew Polenzani, Joshua Hopkins, and Matthew Rose, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From January 19, 2013.

Jamie & Julia Jamie & Julia

As Julia Child, Jamie Barton is clearly having the time of her life.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Performance from April 26, 2007. Maurizio Benini; Joyce DiDonato (Rosina), Claudia Waite (Berta), Lawrence Brownlee (Count Almaviva), Russell Braun (Figaro), John Del Carlo (Dr. Bartolo), Samuel Ramey (Don Basilio).

Daughter of Wotan Daughter of Wotan

Happy 65th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier.