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.
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She knows a naughty fellow
Happy 86th birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker.
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).
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.
New face
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.
Untarnished silver
Happy 71st birthday soprano Kathleen Battle.
Extension cords
Born on this day in 1938 wide-ranging mezzo-soprano Huguette Tourangeau.
Debutante
Happy 67th birthday soprano Ashley Putnam.
Sing for your supper
On this day in 1930 Betty Boop made her film debut in Max Fleischer’s cartoon Dizzy Dishes.
To comfort you
“Trove Thursday” features its two favorite baritones in a pair of comforting settings of the Requiem.
Il divo
Born on this day in 1755 castrato and composer Luigi Marchesi.
A grandeur night for singing
“Die Zauberflöte is an opera!” “No, it’s the first musical comedy!”
“Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, threaten his bloody stage”
It is speculated that on this day in 1607 William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first performed.