Prima ballerina
On this day in 1951 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Aida, which featured the debut of African-American dancer Janet Collins.
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Van Oostrum sings!
Though no recording of Sunday’s lauded performance of Lohengrin from the Bayerische Staatsoper has yet surfaced, here are a couple of excerpts from Der Freischütz sung by Johanni van Oostrum.
Opera tickets to give away
A parterre box reader has had to cancel an opera trip to Germany scheduled from November 29 – December 6 and wants if possible to share his tickets with members of the cher public.
Honor and harmony
It’s that time of year again, cher public: the 47th 15th annual announcement of the recipients of the F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence!
“Maybe nothing ever like it”
On this day in 1961 soprano Joan Sutherland made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lucia.
Moods for moderns
Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, always with a gift for gab, is ever more loquacious in concerts, often talking directly to the audience.
Seal the deal
“Yusif Eyvazov will sing Hermann in the performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades on November 29 and December 2 and 5, replacing Aleksandrs Antonenko, who has withdrawn due to illness.”
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).
Bleak house
Karita Mattila’s Ortrud, taut conducting, and a remarkable debut emerge from Richard Jones’s dreary Lohengrin Konzept.
Singing through
A near-full house attended the Jessye Norman Memorial Celebration at the Met on Sunday afternoon, the auditorium packed with family, friends, colleagues, and fans of the late soprano, who passed away on September 30 of this year.
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!
Maid love
The Berta (mezzo-soprano Emily Damasco) runs away with the show.
An opening for a princess
On this day in 1959 Once Upon a Mattress transfered to the Alvin Theatre. The show, by composer Mary Rodgers, ran 450 performances and made a star of Carol Burnett.
This daughter of Wotan
httpvh://youtu.be/Lkqirt1qjsc Born on this day in 1848 soprano Lilli Lehmann. On this day in 1938 tenor Jussi Bjoerling made his Met debut as Rodolfo. Mafalda Favero also made her debut as Mimi. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OajZ9SCQO8 httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXY3IoMWPfw
Wozzeck
Alban Berg‘s masterpiece launches the Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2019/2020 STAATSOPER.TV season.
Popular success
On this day in 1903 Enrico Caruso made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke of Mantua.
Revelation
Beg. Borrow. Steal. Bargain. Cajole. Seduce. Threaten. Extort.
Outside the box
So here’s my question: if Tadzio is 27 years old and consciously flaunting his wang, is it still Death in Venice?
Thanks a million
“The Met acted quickly to cast her as Leonore in Fidelio, Chrysothemis in Elektra, Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos, Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.”
“It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful”
Born on this day in 1913 composer Benjamin Britten.
La bohème
That bohemian opera returns to the airwaves tonight at 7:25 PM.
I’m a believer
For its gala 200th (!) edition Trove Thursday presents an all-star performance of Mussorgsky’s “other” great masterpiece Khovanshchina with Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Bernd Weikl and Wieslaw Ochman.
Dark victory
On this day in 1967 conductor Herbert von Karajan bowed at the Metropolitan Opera conducting and directing Die Walküre.
Even the orchestra is beautiful
On this day in 1966 the landmark concept musical Cabaret opened at the Broadhurst Theatre to run 1,165 performances.
