“I love audiences”
Happy 88th birthday to actress, comedian, singer and writer Carol Burnett.
Recent Stories
Dialogues des Carmélites
Starring Isabel Leonard, Adrianne Pieczonka and Karita Mattila, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Production by John Dexter. From May 11, 2019.
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).
Christa Ludwig 1928 – 2021
The renowned interpreter of Wagner, Mozart and Strauss for more than four decades died yesterday.
First Lady of Song
Born on this day in 1917 singer Ella Fitzgerald.
Fidelio
The first stream of this performance, starring Karita Mattila, Ben Heppner, Falk Struckmann, and René Pape, conducted by James Levine. Production by Jürgen Flimm. From October 28, 2000.
“The safest place is out on a limb”
Happy 87th birthday actress, singer, dancer, author and activist Shirley MacLaine.
Satyagraha
Starring Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson, and Alfred Walker, conducted by Dante Anzolini. Production by Phelim McDermott. From November 19, 2011.
Myth me blind
“Spring has sprung,” announces MasterVoices’ director Ted Sperling with a smile at the beginning of Part III. And indeed, even the doomsayers among us (and I count myself one) can’t help but feel signs of cautious optimism, as the world we knew slowly but noticeably begins to re-emerge.
“It’s fun and it’s not fun”
Born on this day in 1932 designer Halston.
Simon Boccanegra
First time streaming, starring Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Vasile Moldoveanu, Sherrill Milnes and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. Production by Tito Capobianco. From December 29, 1984.
Meeting Venus
Last month in the New York Times Joshua Barone surveyed recent European streams of German works by Kurt Weill and pondered their relationship to his later Broadway successes; his piece prompted Trove Thursday to feature two versions of One Touch of Venus.
“The Polish Yma Sumac”
“Czeslawa Gospodarek (née Cieslak), known by her stage name Violetta Villas, was a Polish and international cabaret star, singer, actress, composer and songwriter.”
One from the vaults
Happy 86th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto.
La Fanciulla del West
Starring Deborah Voigt, Marcello Giordani, and Lucio Gallo, conducted by Nicola Luisotti. Production by Giancarlo Del Monaco. From January 8, 2011.
Tristan und Isolde
Performance of January 18, 2015. Conductor: Peter Schneider. Production: David McVicar
With: Peter Seiffert, Iréne Theorin, Albert Dohmen, Tomasz Konieczny, Petra Lang.
“I am not that sort of woman”
Happy 89th birthday actress, comedian, director, and screenwriter Elaine May.
La Clemenza di Tito
Starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Oren Gradus, conducted by Harry Bicket. Production by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. From December 1, 2012.
Gold will never fill an empty heart
Born on this day in 1924 actress, director and educator Nina Foch.
Lohengrin
Starring Eva Marton, Leonie Rysanek, Peter Hofmann, Leif Roar, and John Macurdy, conducted by James Levine. Production by August Everding. From January 10, 1986.
Wild again, beguiled again
Born on this day in 1897 soprano Vivienne Segal, whose remarkable Broadway résumé included starring roles in the Ziegfeld Follies, The Desert Song, The Three Musketeers, The Chocolate Soldier, I Married an Angel, Pal Joey and A Connecticut Yankee.
Don Carlo
Michael Fabiano appears in the title role of the Spanish crown prince and Ana María Martínez as his beloved, Elisabetta. René Pape sings King Philip II with Mariusz Kwiecien as Carlo’s friend Rodrigo and Nadia Krasteva as Princess Eboli. Former San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti leads the SFO Orchestra.
Parsifal
UPDATE: Now streaming, the new Vienna Parsifal as recorded Sunday April 11.
Miss Ice Glacier
Born on this day in 1919 comedienne and songstress Virginia O’Brien.