Recent Stories
Celebrating Lenny’s 100th this year has made Candide ubiquitous at opera houses worldwide.
In a steampunk moment, 21st century singers try on 19th century technology.
Even dauntless Evan Ingersoll felt his nerves beginning to mount.
On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer made her Metropolitan Opera debut on tour in Boston, as Elsa.
Carousel is receiving a Broadway revival in a simple, cautious production that still manages to pack an emotional wallop.
Trove Thursday offers a pair of live broadcasts of Médée featuring two compelling mid-20th century divas—Inge Borkh in German and Eileen Farrell in Italian.
A webcast of I puritani from Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
Perennial diva Liza Minnelli greets legendary Disney characters including Sheriff Woody Pride, Elsa and Snow White.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Nailin’ the coughin’
Rosa Feola, still scheduled for a run of performances as Violetta in New York this spring, is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Rosa Feola, still scheduled for a run of performances as Violetta in New York this spring, is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Landing the plane
With Nixon, Klinghoffer, and Andris Nelsons on the mind, Parterre Box offers a recording of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s recent John Adams outing.
With Nixon, Klinghoffer, and Andris Nelsons on the mind, Parterre Box offers a recording of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s recent John Adams outing.
Le galant tireur
American tenor Charles Castronovo performs a bit of Weber’s Der Freischütz ahead of the opportunity to hear Berlioz‘s take on the score at Carnegie Hall next week.
American tenor Charles Castronovo performs a bit of Weber’s Der Freischütz ahead of the opportunity to hear Berlioz‘s take on the score at Carnegie Hall next week.
My 600 performance life
Parterre Box acknowledges Riccardo Muti‘s 600th performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by highlighting two of his favorite singers — under a different conductor.
Parterre Box acknowledges Riccardo Muti‘s 600th performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by highlighting two of his favorite singers — under a different conductor.
Life imitates art
With Gustavo Dudamel in the spotlight at Parterre Box this week, Grand Tier Grab Bag foreshadows one of the New York Philharmonic’s upcoming operatic engagements.
With Gustavo Dudamel in the spotlight at Parterre Box this week, Grand Tier Grab Bag foreshadows one of the New York Philharmonic’s upcoming operatic engagements.
Drink me
Parterre Box answers the question, “how can a singer do both Tristan and Nemorino within a few month of each other?” with a clip of a recent role debut from Michael Spyres.
Parterre Box answers the question, “how can a singer do both Tristan and Nemorino within a few month of each other?” with a clip of a recent role debut from Michael Spyres.
On this day in 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel opened at the Majestic Theatre, to run 890 performances.
Charles Castronovo will sing the role of Roméo in all performances of the Metropolitan Opera’s forthcoming production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.
I had my head in my hands groaning in disbelief instead of joining in the general applause around me.
Happy 70th birthday soprano Catherine Malfitano.
New York has neon, Berlin has bars, but, ah! Parigi!
La Cieca, fashion arbiter though she may be, cannot figure out what is going on with this day-to-evening (and then some) look Sonya Yoncheva is flaunting.
Happy 78th (or so) birthday to soprano/mezzo-soprano Anja Silja.
Astonishing Angela Gheorghiu blows a kiss and takes a bow after her role debut as Rose in Gypsy.
Talk of the Town
A favorite art song performance from Leyla Gender-Bender
While I like both Erna Berger and Maria Stader’s versions, Erna Berger brings more drama to the rendition.
While I like both Erna Berger and Maria Stader’s versions, Erna Berger brings more drama to the rendition.
A favorite art song performance from Erika Baikoff
What I love most about Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s “Lilacs” is how beautifully it captures the quiet intimacy at the heart of art song.
What I love most about Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s “Lilacs” is how beautifully it captures the quiet intimacy at the heart of art song.
A favorite art song performance from Last Castrato
Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.
Rosa Ponselle is the singer who had it all.
A favorite art song performance from Armerjacquino
“Du bist die ruh” was one of the first art songs I ever knew.
“Du bist die ruh” was one of the first art songs I ever knew.
A favorite art song performance from Emma Hoffman
Respighi‘s liriche can be as colorful, poetic, and downright lovely as any selection from other art song traditions. Case in point: Rosa Feola‘s recording of the first song from Quattro rispetti toscani.
Respighi‘s liriche can be as colorful, poetic, and downright lovely as any selection from other art song traditions. Case in point: Rosa Feola‘s recording of the first song from Quattro rispetti toscani.
Two favorite art song performances from Julia Bullock
This task feels near impossible, as I listen to a LOT of art song singers on repeat, across decades and continents (from piano to orchestral works) — mostly for pleasure, but also for study.
This task feels near impossible, as I listen to a LOT of art song singers on repeat, across decades and continents (from piano to orchestral works) — mostly for pleasure, but also for study.
Francesca da Rimini was performed at La Scala four times in 1950 and five times in 1959.
April brought I Puritani to Palermo’s centerpiece Teatro Massimo.
Since his death, Mackerras has had not very much interesting to say aside from “Avenge me!”
Opera premieres on this day: Handel’s Alcina (London, 1735), Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète (Paris, 1849) and Gounod’s Sapho (Paris, 1851).
“Ma Joad is no doubt the most challenging role of my career thus far,” observed Fleming.
On this day in 1939, the Metropolitan Opera on tour in New Orleans presented Carmen featuring Bruna Castagna in the title role.
The love and intrigue begin at 12:30 PM.
On this day in 1883 Leo Delibes’ Lakmé premiered in Paris.