Summer night Summer night

The dream cast put together for this second revival of Kasper Holten’s Don Giovanni production shines at the Royal Opera House.

North star North star

Born on this day in 1895 soprano Kirsten Flagstad.

Filling in Filling in

While America’s Diva is off singing gala concerts from Mobile to East Lansing, who will take over the role of Nettie Fowler?

Broadcast: Ariadne auf Naxos

Live today from Aix-en-Provence, starting at 4:00 PM EDT. 

Strange Bettefellows Strange Bettefellows

And here, queen that she is, La Cieca thought she knew everything there was to know about the quintessential coming out film Now, Voyager.

[Insert joke here] [Insert joke here]

La Cieca will leave this one as an exercise for the reader. 

A nice, clean-cut Mongolian boy A nice, clean-cut Mongolian boy

Born on this day in 1920 (or so) actor, director and photographer Yul Brynner.

“You look so elegant, I hardly recognized you” “You look so elegant, I hardly recognized you”

Wikipedia entry on Don Giovanni or “Previously, on Dynasty?” You be the judge.

Controlled ecstasy Controlled ecstasy

Happy 49th birthday tenor Jonas Kaufmann!

“I prefer living in color” “I prefer living in color”

Happy 81st birthday painter and designer David Hockney. 

Broadcast: Parsifal Broadcast: Parsifal

For your Sunday viewing and discussion, cher public: Parsifal from the Bayerische Staatsoper.

Sweet child of mine Sweet child of mine

On this day in 1956 Douglas Moore‘s The Ballad of Baby Doe premiered in Central City, Colorado.

Silk Jersey Silk Jersey

Born on this day in 1907 (1910?) soprano Dorothy Kirsten.

More than words More than words

This week’s star-spangled “Trove Thursday” offers the second crazy-quilt installment of divas in the wrong language.

The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth” The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth”

Born on this day in 1889 writer, filmmaker and designer Jean Cocteau.

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country”

Happy Independence All U.S. Parterrians!

Life begins at fifty Life begins at fifty

Born on this day in 1854 composer Leos Janacek.

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

Let’s have a round of applause for our advertisers this month!

“Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age” “Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age”

Born on this day in 1714 composer Christoph Willibald von Gluck.

Debutante

On this day in 1933 Richard Strauss’ Arabella premiered in Dresden.

Cross my heart Cross my heart

Majestic Magda Olivero is heard in one her her high-voltage signature roles, Giordano’s Fedora.

Knightfall Knightfall

Roberto Alagna withdrew yesterday from the Bayreuth production of Lohengrin.

“Conducting is intensely social” “Conducting is intensely social”

Happy 60th birthday conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.

The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lebrecht The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lebrecht

Put down the potion, Norman.