Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint George is frequently referred to as “le Mozart noir.” While surely intended as a favorable comparison to Mozart, the sobriquet is diminishing, implying that Bologne’s music was somehow derivative of Mozart’s.
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
Conducted by Valery Gergiev; starring Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala in Iolanta, and Nadja Michael and Mikhail Petrenko in Bluebeard’s Castle. Transmitted live on February 14, 2015.
The opera titled L’Amant anonyme (“The Anonymous Lover”) is important because it is one of the earliest known operas by a Black composer that still survives in its entirety.
Sondra Radvanovksy heads the cast in this performance from the Vienna State Opera on March 28, 2015.
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
Of 511 epidemiologists polled, about two thirds expect that it will be more than one year from now before they expect to “attend a sporting event, concert or play.”
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!
Harry Bicket leads Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey and Giuseppe Filianoti in this Met HD telecast from December 1, 2012.
I have seen all sorts of Boris Godunovs, but nothing quite like this.
Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.
Mean, moody magnificent Renée Fleming puts the “tease” in “courtesan.”
Tom Hiddleston manages to balance the many layers of Coriolanus, from his military strength and hot temper, to his strangely overpowering sense of personal dignity, which is ultimately his tragic flaw.
A one-time stream of the Princeton Festival’s 2018 production.
Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin; starring Sonya Yoncheva, Aleksandrs Antonenko, and Zeljko Lucic. Transmitted live on October 17, 2015.
By a margin of more than two to one, the cher public has chosen “O Scarpia, avanti a Dio!” as the greatest of all opera curtain lines.
Born on this day in 1912 actress Maria Montez.
Thomas Adès conducts his own massively ironic pastiche of an opera, as telecast in the Met’s Live in HD series on November 18, 2017.
It’s come down to this: the two finalists in the Best Opera Curtain Line competition.
The Metropolitan Opera is heading for a very rocky couple of years.
Happy 55th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.
The legendary Calixto Bieito production of Wagner’s music drama, streamed from Staatsoper Stuttgart.
Starring Shirley Verrett, Luciano Pavarotti and Cornell MacNeil. Transmitted live on December 19, 1978.
Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, and top reads
delivered to your email weekly…ish.
By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to Parterre Box’s email newsletters and occasional special offers from us and our affiliates. You can unsubscribe at any time and we encourage you to read more about our Privacy Policy.
