Anna/Susanna Anna/Susanna

Anna Netrebko sings “Deh vieni non tardar” in 2000.

Il fascino di una voce Il fascino di una voce

Happy 88th birthday soprano Rosanna Carteri

Another one bites the Russ Another one bites the Russ

The most exquisitely queer “parterre box” headline of all time has been written.

Sondheim sensibility: camp Sondheim sensibility: camp

The singularity of Stephen Sondheim contributes to the conception of him as a camp figure.

A summer night’s dream A summer night’s dream

Anna Netrebko in a scene from Prokofiev’s Bethrothal in a Monastery, 1998.

Personality best Personality best

On this day in 1921, Geraldine Farrar performed the title role in Leoncavallo’s Zazà at the Met.

My sister, my queen My sister, my queen

It had something for everyone who loves loud chesty singing and smoky soft-singing: from Tchaikovsky to Rachmaninoff to Strauss…

The wedding singer The wedding singer

Anna Netrebko as Lyudmila, the role of her American debut at San Francisco Opera. 

Anita’s gonna get her kicks tonight Anita’s gonna get her kicks tonight

Happy 87th birthday actress and singer Rita Moreno.

Anna of the camellias Anna of the camellias

A 1994 role debut as Violetta.

Here comes my girl Here comes my girl

On this day in 1910 the Metropolitan Opera presented the world premiere of Puccini’s La fanciulla del West.

The Advent of Anna The Advent of Anna

To celebrate December 31 when, Anna Netrebko performs her first Met Adriana Lecouvreur.

Wilde card Wilde card

On this day in 1905 Salome premiered in Dresden.

Miracle on 28th street Miracle on 28th street

This a sincere revival with a social conscience, a chance to take immersive part in the Christmas miracle, not just watch it remotely.

Broadcast: Il Trittico

La Cieca invites the cher public (pictured) to hear and discuss this afternoon’s broadcast of Il trittico.

Online of fire Online of fire

“She defines ‘extra.'”

A boy’s best friend A boy’s best friend

At the opening of the Scottish Opera’s 2017 production of Turnage’s opera Greek, I was very sorry I’d missed Anna Nicole.

Love levels all ranks Love levels all ranks

On this day in 1849 Verdi’s Luisa Miller premiered in Naples.

Dream a little dream Dream a little dream

Jules Massenet’s version of the Cinderella fairy tale, Cendrillon, seems to be back in vogue after many years of obscurity.

A little priestess A little priestess

Ars Minerva upped their game by mounting an 18th century baroque opera, Giovanni Porta’s 1738 Ifigenia in Aulide.

Against the grain Against the grain

I wondered if there truly is a future for opera other than as an overpriced museum piece for an aging audience who likes their sets lavish, their productions non-challenging, and their singers telegenic. 

Coming out Coming out

On this day in 1940 soprano Eleanor Steber made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier

Super tsar Super tsar

Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov must be Russian’s most iconic opera and “Trove Thursday” presents it with Claudio Abbado leading an impressive team.

Shrieking violet Shrieking violet

Diana Damrau‘s performance as Violetta was the work of a very ordinary artist, one susceptible to vocal flubs, poor intonation, and an all too banal approach operatic performance.