Three sisters who are not sisters
Dell’ Arte Opera Ensemble’s “Scenes from the Tower” evening is devoted to three operas composed by women, and the metaphorical tower is women’s sequestration from the opera stage.
Recent Stories
“We are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race”
Born on this day in 1945 gay liberation and AIDS activist, drag queen and transgender pioneer Marsha P. Johnson.
Fortunate sun
Bass Zachary James models his brand-new tattoo of the winged sun featured in the Philip Glass Akhnaten scenic design by Tom Pye.
Things go better without Koch
A multibillionaire right-winger—best remembered locally for plastering his name on the once-beloved New York State Theater at Lincoln Center—has died.
Wien to me
Orfeo’s 150 Years box chronologically documents some of the finest nights of live opera from the Wiener Staatsoper in the years following its restoration in 1955.
Frankly forty
Like an echo from the caves of Coccamaura, film, drag and cabaret legend Charles Busch came forth whilst Deirdre wept cool tears.
Sadko, but true
“Trove Thursday” escapes to an exotic place with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sadko.
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).
“I no longer limit myself”
Born on this day in 1862 composer Claude Debussy and in 1928 composer Karlheinz Stockhausen.
O for a Muse of fire
Saturday August 17 the Merola Opera Program wrapped up its annual Summer Festival with the Merola Grand Finale concert at the War Memorial Opera House.
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!
She knows a naughty fellow
Happy 86th birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker.
Nothing sacred
It is indeed tragic when an ignorant mass of plebes like the opera public openly scoff at the venerated Western Enlightenment standard of Trial by Headline.
Sweet dreams
Bard SummerScape’s concert staging of Die Tote Stadt emerged triumphant thanks to Clay Hilley and Sara Jakubiak.
“I don’t think any novelist should be concerned with literature”
Born on this day in 1918 (not that she’d admit it) author and actress Jacqueline Susann.
Hamstrung by Maeterlinck
Whitney George’s music falls pleasingly upon the ear and is wittily scored for a small ensemble conducted by herself.
Trial by Korngold
What is the best metaphor for this year’s Bard Music Festival?
Eventide
David Alden’s acclaimed production of Leos Janácek’s Jenufa was mounted for its final performance of the season during the evening that I experienced my first opera at Santa Fe.
Classy and fabulous
Born on this day in 1883 designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
Smear-proof
Born on this day in 1904 maquillage mogul Max Factor Jr.
Paradise comes suddenly near
Born on this day in 1920 actress Maureen O’Hara.
The boys of summer
“Trove Thursday” turns to a quintet of baritone/bass voices: Matthias Goerne, Simon Keenlyside, Georg Nigl, Thomas Quasthoff and René Pape performing works by Pfitzner, Sibelius, Adams, Martin and Schubert.
The Isle is full of noises
Dell’ Arte Opera Ensemble theme this summer is women composers, which is timely, and the more to be applauded as likely to turn up unusual works.
First Lady
Born on this day in 1879 actress Ethel Barrymore.
