Kebabs in the Persian Room Kebabs in the Persian Room

Ester, Liberatrice del Popolo Ebreo was presented in concert on Thursday night by Salon/Sanctuary Concerts in the Brotherhood Synagogue on Gramercy Park, in proper time for Purim.

Don’t talk to strangers Don’t talk to strangers

Born on this day in 1910 composer Samuel Barber.

Knight in white satin Knight in white satin

On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Octavian.

I Masnadieri I Masnadieri

Verdi’s Sturm und Drang opera, live from the Bayerische Staatsoper.

Così fan tutte Così fan tutte

A Saturday afternoon iteration of this season’s ubiquitous revival.

Out of the Blue Out of the Blue

Bess is clearly Angel Blue’s part—set in the richest and most shimmering upper middle portion of her voice, and optimally suited to her persona.

Just leave everything to me! Just leave everything to me!

Happy 61st birthday to musical theater diva Donna Murphy.

Taking care of business Taking care of business

Not everyone is happy about the Beethoven sestercentennial.

En direct En direct

Happy 45th birthday conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

What is normal? What is normal?

That question hung in the air when Teatro de la Zarzuela Madrid revived Tomás Bretón’s opera Farinelli for first time since its premiere in 1902.

A soldier’s play A soldier’s play

On this day in 1959 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck had its Metropolitan Opera premiere.

Witch hunt Witch hunt

Later this month Asmik Grigorian will star in Covent Garden’s new Jenufa, which Trove Thursday anticipates presenting the acclaimed Lithuanian soprano in a broadcast from 2014 of Tchaikovsky’s rare opera The Enchantress (Charodeyka).

Well equipped Well equipped

While last year’s finals were dominated by early nineteenth-century bel canto arias, this year’s finalists took on a remarkably broad range of music from a variety of repertoires.

My heart belongs to mama My heart belongs to mama

VIctor Herbert demonstrates in this slight, affectionate piece a talent for keeping his musico-dramatic balls in the air, as Madeleine’s spirits juggle, fall, rise again, and droop to elegant resignation at the last.

Pettifogging Pettifogging

Happy 66th birthday to comic genius Catherine O’Hara.

Met imposes quarantine Met imposes quarantine

La Cieca has obtained a letter from the Met’s Assistant General Manager, Artistic informing artists arriving in New York from certain high-risk areas they are subject to a two-week quarantine before rehearsing or performing.

A dark drab dud A dark drab dud

I never imagined I’d see such a rote park-and-bark Wagner production created in 2020!

Flopéra comique Flopéra comique

On this day in 1875 Bizet’s Carmen had its disastrous premiere at the Opéra Comique in Paris.

Shipwreck Shipwreck

After tonight’s dark drab dud of a Dutchman, I was plunged into despair.

Der Fliegende Holländer Der Fliegende Holländer

Wagner’s early masterpiece returns to the Met conducted by Valery Gergiev (not pictured).

And now a word from our sponsors And now a word from our sponsors

Our thanks to our darling parterre box advertisers, without whom La Cieca and the gang would be at a loss for words!

Nobody steps on Cafritz Nobody steps on Cafritz

La Cieca is shocked, shocked to report that…

Entrances and exits Entrances and exits

Leading the parterre box top ten for the month of February: a new season and the (apparent) end of a legendary career.

Never mind the ants Never mind the ants

On this day in 1960 debonair Don Ameche donned yellowface to star in the notorious flop musical 13 Daughters, which ran 28 performances.