“A Teutonic Zaza”
On this day in 1928 the American premiere of Richard Strauss‘s Die Ägyptische Helena at the Metropolitan Opera, with Maria Jeritza typecast as the most beautiful woman in the world.
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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).
Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci
From the Vienna State Opera, starring Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak, Ambrogio Maestri, Brian Jagde and Eva-Maria Westbroek.
The future’s so bright
For this, the 250th edition of Trove Thursday, [hold for applause] a broadcast of a memorable evening at Carnegie Hall—and I was there: Smetana’s stirring Libuse, the Czech national opera, with a transcendent Gabriela Benackova as its titular prophetess.
Portrait of a lady
Born on this day in 1913 actress Vivien Leigh.
Idomeneo
Starring Elza van den Heever, Nadine Sierra, Alice Coote, Matthew Polenzani and Alan Opie, conducted by James Levine. From March 25, 2017.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Performance from the Vienna State Opera, October 2, 2019.
La Parisienne
Born on this day in 1881 singer and actress Gaby Deslys.
Götterdämmerung
A little light distraction during tonight’s election coverage.
Sex, lies and video opera
Webcasts helped keep both opera and parterre box alive in October 2020.
Come closer and listen
Happy 72nd birthday to songstress Lulu.
Rodelinda
Starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Renée Fleming and Dorothy Lamour, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 3, 2011.
‘Morning’ has broken
Pretty, petite and forgettable where her predecessor was striking and irresistible, Susan Strasberg doesn’t convince as the headstrong, mercurial aspiring actress who takes Broadway by storm.
The front page
On this day in 2005 mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato made her Met debut as Cherubino.
Satyagraha
Starring Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson and Alfred Walker, conducted by Dante Anzolini. From November 19, 2011.
She talks to angels
Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Lucia di Lammermoor
Natalie Dessay and Giuseppe Filianoti star.
The Ghosts of Versailles
Starring Teresa Stratas, Hakan Hagegard, Gino Quilico, Graham Clark, Marilyn Horne and Renée Fleming, conducted by James Levine. From January 10, 1992.
Die Vögel
A new production of the 1920 Walter Braunfels opera, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and directed by Frank Castorf.
Happy Halloween!
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become Paul Lynde when the wolfbane blooms and the moon is full and bright.”
Boris Godunov
Starring Ekaterina Semenchuk, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Oleg Balashov, Evgeny Nikitin, René Pape, Mikhail Petrenko and Vladimir Ognovenko, conducted by Valery Gergiev. From October 23, 2010.
Several explosions of incandescent gas
On this day in 1938, Orson Welles directed and narrated a radio adaptation of War of the Worlds.