The Assistant General Manager is on the march! The Assistant General Manager is on the march!

The Metropolitan Opera announced that Diane Zola has been appointed the company’s new Assistant General Manager, Artistic, replacing the late Robert Rattray.

Third bass-baritone Third bass-baritone

Next Marko Mimica discussed which music “reached” him most and how he regards expressing himself in various languages.

Home run Home run

The Barber of Seville turned out to be the most overall solid production of the year and even a bit of old-fashioned fun.

Piau’s labyrinth Piau’s labyrinth

Arianna in Creta with Sandrine Piau, Kristina Hammarström and Ann Hallenberg conducted by Christophe Rousset.

Silver spoons Silver spoons

On this day in 1817 Rossini’s La gazza ladra premiered in Milan.

Bass-baritone instinct Bass-baritone instinct

Next, I asked Marko Mimica which basses he prefers to listen to on recordings.

She never walked alone She never walked alone

Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.

All about that bass-baritone All about that bass-baritone

In Bellini’s opera Norma, the “padre” role of Oroveso, it may be safely said, is “undistinguished”—dull and conventional. The bass entrusted with the role usually will engender two reactions: more frequently than not, “Cut this boring music,” and rather more rarely: “What a pity Oroveso doesn’t have more music.”   

Off spring Off spring

Born on this day in 1894 actress, singer and comedic performer Bea Lillie.

Mystery Silence Theater Mystery Silence Theater

Born on this day in 1923 composer György Ligeti.

As Dorothy Parker once said to her boyfriend As Dorothy Parker once said to her boyfriend

“Magdalena Kozená sings Cole Porter”

All the quivering excitement of James M. Cain’s best-seller! All the quivering excitement of James M. Cain’s best-seller!

Born on this day in 1911 actor, raconteur and bon vivant Vincent Price.

Lessons in love and abundance Lessons in love and abundance

Not one but two fascinating live video streams this afternoon, cher public!

She’s gotta half it She’s gotta half it

Centenary diva Birgit Nilsson is only one of a multitude of artists whose live recording are discounted by 50% at Opera Depot this weekend.

Life is a cabaret Life is a cabaret

Happy 80th birthday soprano Teresa Stratas.

Pubies 2018: Best New Production Pubies 2018: Best New Production

La Cieca is declaring a tie!

Pubies 2018: Worst New Production Pubies 2018: Worst New Production

Sadly, the Pubie goes to Così fan tutte.

Pubies 2018: Best Revival Pubies 2018: Best Revival

And the Pubie goes to… Parsifal

Pubies 2018: Worst Revival Pubies 2018: Worst Revival

An’ ze Pubee goes to: Ze Merry Widow

Pubies 2018: Best Performance by a Diva in a Diva Role Pubies 2018: Best Performance by a Diva in a Diva Role

No surprise here: the Pubie goes to Anna Netrebko in Tosca!

Pubies 2018: Worst Performance by a Diva in a Diva Role Pubies 2018: Worst Performance by a Diva in a Diva Role

And the Pubie goes to Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti in Lucia di Lammermoor

Pubies 2018: Best Performance by a Divo in a Divo Role Pubies 2018: Best Performance by a Divo in a Divo Role

And the Pubie goes to… Piotr Beczala in Luisa Miller!

Pubies 2018: Worst Performance by a Divo in a Divo Role Pubies 2018: Worst Performance by a Divo in a Divo Role

By a wide margin, the Pubie goes to Placido Domingo in Luisa Miller.

Pubies 2018: Best Performance in a Non-Diva Role Pubies 2018: Best Performance in a Non-Diva Role

And the Pubie goes to… Stephanie Blythe in Cendrillon!