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On this day in 1817 Rossini’s La gazza ladra premiered in Milan.
Next, I asked Marko Mimica which basses he prefers to listen to on recordings.
Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.
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.”
Born on this day in 1894 actress, singer and comedic performer Bea Lillie.
Born on this day in 1923 composer György Ligeti.
“Magdalena Kozená sings Cole Porter”
Born on this day in 1911 actor, raconteur and bon vivant Vincent Price.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Kathryn the great
Parterre Box previews Kathryn Lewek‘s upcoming Salome with clips of her as another unhinged lady of antiquity.
Parterre Box previews Kathryn Lewek‘s upcoming Salome with clips of her as another unhinged lady of antiquity.
Count your blessings
Fast-rising Verdi baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbataar is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Fast-rising Verdi baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbataar is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
One man’s Junker
Handel’s Deidamia — and one of its current champions, soprano Sophie Junker — are the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Handel’s Deidamia — and one of its current champions, soprano Sophie Junker — are the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Don’t cry because it’s over
Grand Tier Grab Bag hearkens back to the days when Sondra Radvanovsky — who is singing no Verdi at all next season — seemed like the Verdi soprano of reference.
Grand Tier Grab Bag hearkens back to the days when Sondra Radvanovsky — who is singing no Verdi at all next season — seemed like the Verdi soprano of reference.
Rizzin’ to the occasion
Parterre Box features the Met’s current Eugene Onegin, Iurii Samoilov, in a performance of Rossini ahead of a return to Pesaro this summer.
Parterre Box features the Met’s current Eugene Onegin, Iurii Samoilov, in a performance of Rossini ahead of a return to Pesaro this summer.
When they go low
Nostalgic for bass month, Parterre Box offers excerpts from two young basses to watch: Giorgi Manoshvili and Patrick Guetti.
Nostalgic for bass month, Parterre Box offers excerpts from two young basses to watch: Giorgi Manoshvili and Patrick Guetti.
Not one but two fascinating live video streams this afternoon, cher public!
Centenary diva Birgit Nilsson is only one of a multitude of artists whose live recording are discounted by 50% at Opera Depot this weekend.
Happy 80th birthday soprano Teresa Stratas.
La Cieca is declaring a tie!
Sadly, the Pubie goes to Così fan tutte.
And the Pubie goes to… Parsifal!
An’ ze Pubee goes to: Ze Merry Widow!
No surprise here: the Pubie goes to Anna Netrebko in Tosca!
Talk of the Town
Maria Kanyova should make it to the Met
I’m surprised that American soprano Maria Kanyova has never performed at the Met, even though she has loads of high-profile U.S. opera credits.
I’m surprised that American soprano Maria Kanyova has never performed at the Met, even though she has loads of high-profile U.S. opera credits.
Barbara Hannigan should make it to the Met
The fact that Barbara Hannigan has never performed at The Metropolitan Opera is just plain dumb.
The fact that Barbara Hannigan has never performed at The Metropolitan Opera is just plain dumb.
Robert Rounseville should have made it to the Met
From one Mister Snow to another, I salute him.
From one Mister Snow to another, I salute him.
Denise Duval should have made it to the Met
I decided I’d take ‘never made it to the Met’ as an excuse to submit a post about why French soprano Denise Duval (1921-2015) is special to me.
I decided I’d take ‘never made it to the Met’ as an excuse to submit a post about why French soprano Denise Duval (1921-2015) is special to me.
A favorite Verdi performance from Eli Jacobson
The immortal Renata Tebaldi, just about 29 years old as Saint Joan in a RAI broadcast of Giovanna d’Arco from 1951.
The immortal Renata Tebaldi, just about 29 years old as Saint Joan in a RAI broadcast of Giovanna d’Arco from 1951.
And the Pubie goes to Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti in Lucia di Lammermoor.
And the Pubie goes to… Piotr Beczala in Luisa Miller!
By a wide margin, the Pubie goes to Placido Domingo in Luisa Miller.
And the Pubie goes to… Stephanie Blythe in Cendrillon!
And the Pubie goes to… Yannick Nézet-Seguin!
And the Pubie goes to… James Levine!
And the Pubie goes to… Yusif Eyvazov!
And the Pubie goes to: Evelyn Herlitzius in Parsifal.
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