Killer queen
Rossini’s Semiramide is a highly original and imaginative work of theater that impresses for its creative and beautifully scored orchestration, incisive recitatives and ensembles, and theatrically intriguing characters.
Recent Stories
Craftsmanship
On this day in 1988 Dolora Zajick made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena.
Orientation
There were plenty of Turan-do’s and only a few Turandon’ts at the Met’s Turandot Sunday afternoon.
Infused with individuality
On this day in 1965 mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Eboli.
“It is hard to describe the thrill of creative joy”
Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.
Marcello Giordani 1963-2019
It is reported that the tenor died suddenly today of a heart attack in his home in Augusta, Sicily.
La Gioconda
Met diva of the moment Anna Pirozzi sings the title role in this broadcast from the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
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).
The glamorous life
Happy 96th birthday actress Glynis Johns.
“I only do what I like to do”
Happy 63rd birthday actor Christoph Waltz.
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!
Hot takes, get your hot takes here
“In none of this was he ever anything close to perfect. Great artists never are. Without their devils there would be no angels.”
Turandot
Join us, cher public and stranger alike, for tonight’s broadcast.
Miss me blind
Which soprano, who’s so talented you’d think her career would go on forever, has quietly decided to retire following her current not every eventful season?
A Norman conquest
When I first heard of this broadcast my thought was to save it to celebrate Jessye Norman‘s 75th birthday in 2020.
Direct and terrible
Born on this day in 1859 actress Eleanora Duse.
Goodbye Los Angeles: Domingo resigns
“The opera superstar Plácido Domingo resigned from his position as general director of Los Angeles Opera and withdrew from his upcoming performances there on Wednesday. ” [New York Times]
The other woman
I can’t think of an opera this year that I’ve enjoyed as much as Tuesday’s Met Macbeth, thanks especially to the smashing house debut of Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi as its blazing Madame M.
“I intend to live forever, or die trying”
Born on this day in 1890 actor, comedian, author and television personality Groucho Marx.
Come and knock on her door
High concept! Joyce DiDonato is Mrs. Roper!
Sunday will never be the same
Surely no one can be surprised to learn that the departure of Plácido Domingo from the Met was the most-read story on parterre box for the month of September.
“Sometimes I’m so sweet even I can’t stand it”
Happy 84th birthday Julie Andrews!
Race-bait to the bottom
That’s right, it’s September 30, 2019 and Venomous Fishwife Norman Lebrecht claims this is the first time in his entire life he has heard that some people might find Turandot offensive.
Jessye Norman 1945-2019
The Grammy winning opera and concert singer is dead. She was 74.
