Recent Stories
Michael Fabiano is a boss. This is a fact.
Born on this day in 1818 composer Charles-François Gounod.
“How far should we give way to grief? How far dare we, without disaster?”
Born on this day in 1899 dramatic soprano Helen Traubel.
The legendary opera and film director has died. He was 96.
Happy 89th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.
“Artists must at least be tethered to some amount of demonstrable empathy lest they risk the perception of solipsism.”
On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa in Lohengrin.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Le galant tireur
American tenor Charles Castronovo performs a bit of Weber’s Der Freischütz ahead of the opportunity to hear Berlioz‘s take on the score at Carnegie Hall next week.
American tenor Charles Castronovo performs a bit of Weber’s Der Freischütz ahead of the opportunity to hear Berlioz‘s take on the score at Carnegie Hall next week.
My 600 performance life
Parterre Box acknowledges Riccardo Muti‘s 600th performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by highlighting two of his favorite singers — under a different conductor.
Parterre Box acknowledges Riccardo Muti‘s 600th performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by highlighting two of his favorite singers — under a different conductor.
Life imitates art
With Gustavo Dudamel in the spotlight at Parterre Box this week, Grand Tier Grab Bag foreshadows one of the New York Philharmonic’s upcoming operatic engagements.
With Gustavo Dudamel in the spotlight at Parterre Box this week, Grand Tier Grab Bag foreshadows one of the New York Philharmonic’s upcoming operatic engagements.
Drink me
Parterre Box answers the question, “how can a singer do both Tristan and Nemorino within a few month of each other?” with a clip of a recent role debut from Michael Spyres.
Parterre Box answers the question, “how can a singer do both Tristan and Nemorino within a few month of each other?” with a clip of a recent role debut from Michael Spyres.
Otherwise occupied
Parterre Box features a performance from two belcantisti who would rather you not think about their political affiliations.
Parterre Box features a performance from two belcantisti who would rather you not think about their political affiliations.
Northern star
Parterre Box previews an upcoming performance of Hercules with Ann Hallenberg in some very unique Baroque repertoire.
Parterre Box previews an upcoming performance of Hercules with Ann Hallenberg in some very unique Baroque repertoire.
“Trove Thursday” offers a vivid live complete broadcast from the 1952 US State Department tour of Porgy and Bess with William Warfield, Cab Calloway and the 25-year-old Leontyne Price.
Born on this day in 1926 actor and comedian Paul Lynde.
Once again we got a very frustrating performance of Orlando; this time a beautiful and completely coherent production marred by some sub-optimal singing.
“Short but straight backed, with broad shoulders and a broad smile, and equipped with marble arms whose contours are visible through his tailored black shirt, he communicates flexibility and easy control.”
Born on this day in 1930 comic actor, baritone and gay icon Jim Nabors.
Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
An unusually provocative program by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s conducted by Bernard Labadie with soloists Lydia Teuscher and Benno Schachtner made my “return” Thursday evening an illuminating and rewarding experience at Zankel Hall.
Although stripped down, this comedy of manners was far from boring due to well-choreographed movements and actions of the characters.
Talk of the Town
A favorite art song performance from David Phillips
Does this count as an art song?
Does this count as an art song?
A favorite art song performance from Mr. Portafiori
I have always loved this recording of Canteloube‘s Chants d’Auvergne sung by Dawn Upshaw and conducted by Kent Nagano.
I have always loved this recording of Canteloube‘s Chants d’Auvergne sung by Dawn Upshaw and conducted by Kent Nagano.
A favorite art song performance from Mister Snow
Jessye Norman really embraces elements of the song falling somewhere between classical art song and popular ballad.
Jessye Norman really embraces elements of the song falling somewhere between classical art song and popular ballad.
A favorite art song performance from La Grunowa
Janet Baker sings Elgar‘s Sea Pictures with such honesty and clarity and fervor.
Janet Baker sings Elgar‘s Sea Pictures with such honesty and clarity and fervor.
A favorite art song performance from Ben Miller
It’s not where you start but where you Finnish
It’s not where you start but where you Finnish
A favorite art song performance from Timothy Gray
Wolfgang Holzmair‘s performance was amazing in its personal and intimate approach.
Wolfgang Holzmair‘s performance was amazing in its personal and intimate approach.
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
“Tame” seemed to be the appropriate adjective to describe San Francisco Opera’s Carmen.
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
A performance from the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
David Lang’s Prisoner of the State, which was premiered on Thursday night by the New York Philharmonic, places the issue of mass incarceration front and center, foregrounding the violence of the prison system, both physical and psychological.
Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.
The Met press office has just confirmed that the company’s 2020 revival of La Damnation de Faust has been converted into four concert performances January 25 – February 8.
Friend, Romans and Rosa Feola fans, presenting your top ten parterre box posts for the lusty month of May!