Demons are forever
On this day in 1907 bass Fyodor Chaliapin made his Met debut in Boito’s Mefistofele.
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‘Perles’ hearing
Alexander Birch Elliott‘ s dynamic if gauche Zurga added some pizzazz to an otherwise bland evening.
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).
Great Chicago fire
If sheer clarion vocalism is what draws you to the opera, then hie thee to Lyric Opera of Chicago’s rousing revival Of Verdi’s Il Trovatore, the oddly plotted but musically sublime opera that opened last night in the David McVicar production, originally seen in 2006.
Stranger with candy
Saturday night I navigated the Music Center concourse, or what’s left of it with it’s seemingly eternal construction to the main plaza, wending my way to the Dorothy Chandler for the opening night of LA Opera’s Hansel and Gretel.
Beast in show
Christopher Maltman created a fun, coherent, often whimsical journey exploring the animal kingdom through a selection of animal songs.
Uphill climb
The Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho is surely the reason that Covent Garden has made a commercial release of this “Live to Cinemas” relay from March of 2017.
Bichette
On this day in 1962 soprano Régine Crespin made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin.
Vittoria!
On this day in 1974 tenor Jose Carreras made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Cavardossi.
Broadcast: Siegfried
The Ring continues from Covent Garden with Siegfried starring Stefan Vinke.
Telling the glory of God
“The heavens are telling” begins the famous chorus that ends the first section of The Creation.
Cold comfort
An image of the old, ruined Coventry Cathedral goes into closer and closer focus until the stage is dominated by a grassy stone.
Heck, I’d even play the maid
On this day in 1975 soprano Roberta Peters celebrated the 25th anniversary of her Met debut with a performance of Così fan tute.
Separated at Clark Gable
Anna Netrebko’s Instagram meets Metro.
Fire and ice
On this day in 1926 the US premiere and first Metropolitan Opera performance of Puccini’s Turandot.
The shock of the modern
Two of today’s most compelling divas tackle a hair-raising early 20th century German masterpiece for “Trove Thursday.”
Something’s comin’
This program honored the singer, composer and theorist Giulio Caccini, “Giulio da Romano,” on the 400th anniversary of his death.
Fully formed
On this day in 1918 soprano Rosa Ponselle gave her first opera performance anywhere.
Broadcast: Les pêcheurs de perles
At 7:30 this PM, join the parterrians to hear and to discuss the Met’s broadcast of this gorgeous Bizet score.
Blindsided
Which superstar performer whose recent career has been as calm as a dove is about to send ticket sales crashing by making perhaps the most fateful cancellation of his life?