Akhnaten
The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Akhnaten begins at 7:55 PM.
Recent Stories
Burnished
On this day in 1965 bass Nicolai Ghiaurov made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Méphistophélès.
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).
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.
This is quite a problem, professor
On this day in 1954 Godzilla made his film debut in the classic kaiju film directed by Ishirö Honda.
Boy trouble
On this day in 2005 mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato made her Met debut as Cherubino.
Orfeo ed Euridice
Gluck’s masterpiece returns to the streamwaves tonight for your listening and chatting pleasure.
Anna Bellezza
Anna Netrebko’s voice to me sounds like a very expensive chocolate covered strawberry.
A word from our sponsors
Let’s hear a resounding round of applause for parterre box‘s advertisers for the month of November:
Design for living
Sadly, the news of the passing of two beloved artists provided much of the traffic on parterre box last month.
“I don’t like traditions”
Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Close encounters
Zauberland: An Encounter with Schumann’s Dichterliebe touched on themes of forced migration, loss, exile, and dehumanization.