Ladies there is no neutral position for us to assume
Born on this day in 1887 poet and librettist Gertrude Stein.
Recent Stories
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).
Queen of hearts
Happy 82nd birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.
All about Melpomene
The top ten parterre box stories for January 2019.
Grazie Millo
There are, on rare occasions, moments in a live performance where some intangible symbiotic relationship between audience and performer creates an instant that borders on the sublime.
Broadcast: Xerxes
Stefan Herheim‘s intensely enjoyable “barocke Muppet-Show” take on Handel’s opera starts streaming at 1:00 PM today on OperaVision.
That French girl
On this day in 1893, the premiere of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut in Turin.
New blood
I was shocked to realize I hadn’t seen Don Giovanni at the Met since Michael Grandage’s stultifying production opened in 2011.
Multiple Montserrat
For the conclusion of its tribute to the late Montserrat Caballé, “Trove Thursday” offers Dvorak’s Armida.
Stop and stair
On this day in 1974 Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani had its first Metropolitan Opera house performance.
Why parterre box is not going to cover the David Daniels / Scott Walters arrest
The arrest of an important gay opera star and his husband on a serious criminal charge is undoubtedly news and almost certain to be interest to regular readers of parterre box.
By James Jorden
Broadcast: Don Giovanni
That’s Luca Pisaroni behind the mask, star of tonight’s Met season premiere of Don Giovanni, broadcast at 7:25 PM.
What’s done cannot be Undine
Academy of Vocal Arts’ Rusalka—surprisingly, only their second venture in many years into the Slavic repertoire—left a divided impression.
The farce of destiny
The chaos is nonstop, the comedy is broad and physical, and requires a large ensemble of singers who can execute Rossinian polysyllabic patter while taking pratfalls.
When you’re a Brit, you’re a Brit all the way
The international finalists for the International Opera Awards have been internationally named from international artists.
Blood shed
“Renée Fleming and Ben Whishaw… two iconic beauties millennia apart.”
Letter to an unknown woman
On this day in 1957 soprano Martha Mödl made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Brünnhilde in Siegfried.
A very Millo sequel
“Can the Diva Who Once Ruled the Met Make a Comeback?”
Stormy weather
Looking at the Houston Grand Opera’s 2018/19 season, I think Hurricane Harvey subconsciously must have had an impact on the choice of operas.
Sea no evil
On this day in 1781: the premiere of Mozart’s Idomeneo in Munich.
Profanity
Certain critics need to get the fuck over themselves.
“We only do well the things we like doing”
Born on this day in 1873 writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.
Mystic piazza
Only in Los Angeles, City of La La, could this season have happened.