Where the boys are
I often think of Boys in the Band as the gay play equivalent of Kern and Hammerstein’s Show Boat—it’s hugely important in theater history, but the politics have become extremely problematic.
Recent Stories
A ‘Barbiere’ of quality
What a joy when a comic opera gets you cackling through the whole night, discovering new nuances and perspectives from an oft-seen work and delighted with wonderful singing!
Standing woman
It struck me that Jamie Barton’s voice is not dissimilar to a Henry Moore sculpture: grand and monumental but never brash or ostentatious; eccentric and offbeat but always graceful and tastefully molded.
How do I look?
On this day in 1961 the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s opened at Radio City Music Hall.
Don Carlos
The full five-act “Paris” version, in French, featuring Michele Pertusi, Jonas Kaufmann, Igor Golovatenko, Roberto Scandiuzzi, Malin Byström and Eve-Maud Hubeaux. Conducted by Bertrand de Billy at the Vienna State Opera.
Mai Tosca alla scena…
On this day in 1968 the Metropolitan Opera presented Tosca, the first new production of this work since 1917.
Le nozze di Figaro
Starring Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Susanne Mentzer, Dwayne Croft and Bryn Terfel, conducted by James Levine. From November 11, 1998.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
A reasonable amount of trouble
On this day in 1941, The Maltese Falcon premiered in New York City.
Don Giovanni
The last Don Giovanni telecast this year, cher public, as God is La Cieca’s witness. Starring Marina Rebeka, Barbara Frittoli, Mojca Erdmann, Ramón Vargas, Mariusz Kwiecien, Luca Pisaroni, and Stefan Kocan, conducted by Fabio Luisi. From October 29, 2011.
A stag at bay
Born on this day in 1890 comic genius Groucho Marx.
COVID fan tutte
As a change of pace, let’s scope out the Finnish National Opera’s revision of Così fan tutte as a topical comedy about the current pandemic. Streaming and discussion begin at 7:30 PM.
Truth or dare
On the 21st of this month Romanian soprano Virginia Zeani will celebrate her 95th birthday and Trove Thursday salutes her versatility with two markedly different 20th century works: Menotti’s The Consul and Mascagni’s Il Piccolo Marat, one of many collaborations with her husband Nicola Rossi-Lemeni.
Practically perennial
Happy 85th birthday Dame Julie Andrews.
La clemenza di Tito
Starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey, Giuseppe Filianoti and Oren Gradus, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 1, 2012.
It isn’t surprising
On this day in 1933, the revue As Thousands Cheer (book by Moss Hart, music and lyrics by Irving Berlin) opened at the Music Box Theatre, to run 400 performances.
Così fan tutte
Starring Susanna Phillips, Isabel Leonard, Danielle de Niese, Matthew Polenzani, Rodion Pogossov and Maurizio Muraro, conducted by James Levine. From April 26, 2014.
Fit for a queen
Born on this day in 1942 singer and actress Madeline Kahn.
Le Nozze di Figaro
Starring Amanda Majeski, Marlis Petersen, Isabel Leonard, Peter Mattei and Ildar Abdrazakov, conducted by James Levine. From October 18, 2014.
Pompiere and circumstance
On this day in 1988, the fire effects in the Judgment Scene from Aida at the Met got a little out of control.
La bohème
Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Ainhoa Arteta, Ramón Vargas, Ludovic Tézier, Quinn Kelsey, Oren Gradus and Paul Plishka, conducted by Nicola Luisotti. From April 5, 2008.
Maria Stuarda
David Alden directs Diana Damrau in Donizetti’s melodrama.
Flaming youth
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Mary McCarty.
Turandot
Starring Christine Goerke, Eleonora Buratto, Yusif Eyvazov and James Morris, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. From October 12, 2019.