Franco Zeffirelli 1923-2019
The legendary opera and film director has died. He was 96.
Recent Stories
Class act
Happy 89th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.
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).
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.
Nice nice baby
“Tame” seemed to be the appropriate adjective to describe San Francisco Opera’s Carmen.
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
Broadcast: La Gioconda
A performance from the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
Pardon my dust
David Lang’s Prisoner of the State, which was premiered on Thursday night by the New York Philharmonic, places the issue of mass incarceration front and center, foregrounding the violence of the prison system, both physical and psychological.
Schumann, all too Schumann
Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a Damnation
The Met press office has just confirmed that the company’s 2020 revival of La Damnation de Faust has been converted into four concert performances January 25 – February 8.
Pubies come out first
Friend, Romans and Rosa Feola fans, presenting your top ten parterre box posts for the lusty month of May!
Perhaps perhaps perhaps
Happy 56th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna!
Simply red
“Trove Thursday” explores a dozen solo sacred works by the Red Priest.
A sky full of stars
Happy 80th birthday tenor Giacomo Aragall.