Wicked woman

Born on this day in 1900 actress Agnes Moorehead.

You’re only human once You’re only human once

Born on this day in 1898 soprano and film diva soprano Grace Moore.

Broadcast: La Traviata Broadcast: La Traviata

For your listening and discussing pleasure, cher public: the opening night of the Met’s new Traviata.

Source code Source code

WQXR, the Metropolitan Opera, and WNYC Studios introduce Aria Code.

The mortgage lifter The mortgage lifter

Born on this day in 1921 singer and actress Deanna Durbin.

A starred day’s night A starred day’s night

Anna Netrebko sang throughout with a palpable sense of joy and ease in vocal production, never a hint of strain or any moment forced. 

Turkey lurkey time Turkey lurkey time

Some less than stellar reviews dominate the top ten posts on parterre box for November 2018.

And now a word from our sponsors And now a word from our sponsors

On this joyous day, La Cieca is delighted to salute the advertisers who make parterre box possible.

It’s a wonderful opera It’s a wonderful opera

There comes a time where everything falls into place, and more importantly, when your head and heart are also in the right mindset.  That’s when when the opera becomes cathartic, life-changing experience.

Overview: Riccardo Chailly Overview: Riccardo Chailly

Riccardo Chailly’s appointment as La Scala’s new music director was news that I greeted with enthusiasm when first announced in 2013.  

That girl! That girl!

On this day in 1983 soprano Aprile Millo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra.

Silver lies hidden in the core of dreams Silver lies hidden in the core of dreams

parterre box published its first issue on December 3, 1993. That date was chosen because Our Own JJ wished to honor the 70th anniversary of the birth of Maria Callas.

Video webcast: Otello Video webcast: Otello

The thrilling trio of Jonas Kaufmann, Gerald Finley (pictured) and Anja Harteros star in the Bayerische Staatsoper’s production of Otello.

Divine intervention Divine intervention

Born on this day in 1923.

Things unseen Things unseen

Sources in whose reliability La Cieca has an almost holy faith suggest turning one’s perfect vision westwards.

Höchste Lust! Höchste Lust!

Karita Mattila has just rather casually let slip that she has “signed in for [her] first Isolde.”

Broadcast: Mefistofele Broadcast: Mefistofele

Today at 1:00 PM, Boito’s Mefistofele kicks off the Met’s 88th year of live Saturday broadcasts over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.

Death be not proud Death be not proud

The New Camerata Opera performs a double bill of John Blow’s Venus and Adonis, sometimes dubbed the first English opera, and Gustav Holst’s Savitri.

Broadway melodies Broadway melodies

On this day no skies are gray on that great white way.

Ground fleur Ground fleur

Great news for contemporary music fans!

Parce qu’il fait froid et qu’il n’y a plus de feuilles Parce qu’il fait froid et qu’il n’y a plus de feuilles

On this day in 1962 conductor Ernest Ansermet made his in-house Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Pelléas et Mélisande.

Man of the camellias Man of the camellias

Tuesday the Met unveils its sixth new production of La Traviata since moving to Lincoln Center. 

The Met in low def The Met in low def

On this day in 1948 Verdi’s Otello was the first opera to be telecast from the Met.

Broadcast: Les Pêcheurs de Perles Broadcast: Les Pêcheurs de Perles

The last broadcast this season of the Bizet tuner starts at 7:30 PM for your listening and discussing pleasure.