Broadcast: I Masnadieri
The opening night of a new production of Verdi’s opera (plus Lisette Oropesa‘s La Scala debut!) will be broadcast live starting at 2:00 PM.
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È la solita storia del tenore
While Luciano Pavarotti may have brought opera to the people, once he realized how lucrative it could be, there was a string of promoters who helped him turn all that adoration into cold hard cash.
Band in Boston
In the triumphant American premiere of Orlando Generoso at the Boston Early Music Festival last week, the hippogriff was among the many stars of the show.
Burning down the house
Happy 76th birthday soprano Eva Marton.
Something cool
Elina Garanca was radiantly present at Carnegie Hall Friday night performing a ravishingly somber Rückert-Lieder with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the MET Orchestra.
Mr. Fabulous
Michael Fabiano is a boss. This is a fact.
Divine redeemer
Born on this day in 1818 composer Charles-François Gounod.
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!
Touch me in the mourning
“How far should we give way to grief? How far dare we, without disaster?”
St. Louis woman
Born on this day in 1899 dramatic soprano Helen Traubel.
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).
Franco Zeffirelli 1923-2019
The legendary opera and film director has died. He was 96.
Class act
Happy 89th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.
Photo finish
“Artists must at least be tethered to some amount of demonstrable empathy lest they risk the perception of solipsism.”
Late winter, early spring
On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa in Lohengrin.
“Can’t you keep your mouth off Bess?”
“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.
“I’m Liberace without a piano”
Born on this day in 1926 actor and comedian Paul Lynde.
Pilot program
Once again we got a very frustrating performance of Orlando; this time a beautiful and completely coherent production marred by some sub-optimal singing.
Pull quote
“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.”
No matter how hopeless
Born on this day in 1930 comic actor, baritone and gay icon Jim Nabors.
Let’s hear it for the boy
Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
Welcome Bach
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.
Words get in the way
Although stripped down, this comedy of manners was far from boring due to well-choreographed movements and actions of the characters.
Everybody sing
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
