“It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!”
On this day in 1947 Christian Dior launched the so-called “New Look,” re-establishing Paris as the center of fashion.
Recent Stories
Un ballo in maschera
Starring Aprile Millo, Harolyn Blackwell, Florence Quivar, Luciano Pavarotti, and Leo Nucci, conducted by James Levine. Production by Piero Faggioni. From January 26, 1991.
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).
Chapí together
With Lent arriving next week, Trove Thursday throws a “Jeudi Gras” party featuring two delicious zarzuela concerts.
A touch of the poet
Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Starring Kathleen Battle, Rockwell Blake, Leo Nucci, Enzo Dara, and Ferruccio Furlanetto, conducted by Ralf Weikert. Production by John Cox. From December 3, 1988.
La clemenza di Tito
From the Vienna State Opera: Adam Fischer conducts Benjamin Bruns, Caroline Wenborne, Margarita Gritskova, Hila Fahima, Miriam Albano.
“Who I am is the best I can be”
Happy 94th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.
Ernani
Starring Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, and Ruggero Raimondi, conducted by James Levine. Production by Pier Luigi Samaritani. From December 17, 1983.
Bananas is her business
Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.
Das Rheingold
Starring Wendy Bryn Harmer, Stephanie Blythe, Patricia Bardon, Richard Croft, Gerhard Siegel, Dwayne Croft, Bryn Terfel, Eric Owens, Franz-Josef Selig, and Hans-Peter König, conducted by James Levine. Production by Robert Lepage. From October 9, 2010.
Stopping by Philly on a snowy evening
As I don’t need to remind you, we are fast approaching the one-year anniversary of COVID quarantine—and for the arts, it remains a scenario of giveth and taketh away.
Radiant wonder
Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!
Tosca
Starring Shirley Verrett, Luciano Pavarotti, and Cornell MacNeil, conducted by James Conlon. Directed by Tito Gobbi. From December 19, 1978.
Lohengrin
From the San Francisco Opera, starring Brandon Jovanovich, Camilla Nylund, Petra Lang, Gerd Grochowski and Kristinn Sigmundsson, conducted by Nicola Luisotti.
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
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
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
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
Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.
Remote control
The Met Orchestra will stream a concert including the virtual participation of Angela Gheorghiu live from Bucharest.
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”
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
Trove Thursday begins February with two striking versions of Rossini’s Tancredi.