Recent Stories
The constant nymph
On this day in 1993 Dvorak’s Rusalka finally appeared at the Met, with Gabriela Benacková in the title role.
She tells me you’re some sort of a genius
Born on this day in 1889 film and stage actor Claude Rains.
A place in the sun
Friday evening’s Met premiere of Akhnaten was a resounding triumph and an outstanding testament to Philip Glass’s enduring operatic vision.
Amleto
Franco Faccio‘s delightfully obscure operatic version of Hamlet, as recorded at Delaware Opera.
To draw a firm line
Born on this day in 1883 stage and film actress Edna May Oliver.
Endlessly engrossing
It seems a travesty that Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, one of the seminal works of the 20th by one of America’s most iconic composers, is only just receiving its Met premiere in 2019, some 35 years after its first performance!
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).
Akhnaten
The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Akhnaten begins at 7:55 PM.
Burnished
On this day in 1965 bass Nicolai Ghiaurov made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Méphistophélès.
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!
Leb’ wohl, du kühnes, herrliches fashion victim!
Yes, this is the image Lyric Opera of Chicago has chosen to promote its upcoming performances of Der Ring des Nibelungen on social media.
Heartfelt
Countertenor sensation Jakub Jozef Orlinski sings “Pena tiranna” from Handel’s Amadigi di Gaula.
General, not specific
While Russell Thomas admirably goes toe to toe with Otello (and Otello) in a thoughtful and self-aware way, the assumption feels like a work in progress if not an outright mismatch with his vocal gifts.
Full measure
Trove Thursday offers three broadcast glimpses of the young Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen.
A tidal wave of a voice
Happy 83rd birthday soprano Gwyneth Jones.
Count your blessings
“Etienne Dupuis will sing the Count in the February 5, 8, and 11 performances of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, replacing Mariusz Kwiecien.“
Touch me and you’ll burn
On this day in 1928 the Metropolitan Opera presented the American premiere of Richard Strauss‘s Die Ägyptische Helena.
The body electric
“Asked to Perform Naked, This Is How One Star Got in Shape—Fast”
More things sacred
In recent weeks local and visiting groups performed refreshing rarities by Zelenka, Domenico Scarlatti and Telemann so engagingly that one didn’t miss the old standbys at all.
Bloody Mary, Hold the Pepper
Come ye addicts of melody! After long eclipse, Bel Canto shines again!
Art is domination
On this day in 1995 Terrence McNally‘s play Master Class opened on Broadway at the Golden Theatre, to run 598 performances.
A Bougie “Bohème”
After more than 35 years, I think I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with the Metropolitan Opera’s perennial production of Puccini’s La Bohème.
Not the marrying kind
Happy 47th birthday baritone Mariusz Kwiecien.
