Tragically Hippolyte Tragically Hippolyte

I had my head in my hands groaning in disbelief instead of joining in the general applause around me. 

Cat’s meow Cat’s meow

Happy 70th birthday soprano Catherine Malfitano

Follies! Follies! Follies! Follies!

New York has neon, Berlin has bars, but, ah! Parigi!

I’m every diva, it’s all in me I’m every diva, it’s all in me

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.

Now and forever Now and forever

Happy 78th (or so) birthday to soprano/mezzo-soprano Anja Silja.

The whole world on a plate The whole world on a plate

Astonishing Angela Gheorghiu blows a kiss and takes a bow after her role debut as Rose in Gypsy.

Warhorse Warhorse

Francesca da Rimini was performed at La Scala four times in 1950 and five times in 1959.

Giglio d’april Giglio d’april

April brought I Puritani to Palermo’s centerpiece Teatro Massimo.

L’ombra mostrarsi a me! L’ombra mostrarsi a me!

Since his death, Mackerras has had not very much interesting to say aside from “Avenge me!”

Cliff notes Cliff notes

Opera premieres on this day: Handel’s Alcina (London, 1735), Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète (Paris, 1849) and Gounod’s Sapho (Paris, 1851). 

We’ll go on forever, Pa We’ll go on forever, Pa

“Ma Joad is no doubt the most challenging role of my career thus far,” observed Fleming.

The biting and the fighting The biting and the fighting

On this day in 1939, the Metropolitan Opera on tour in New Orleans presented Carmen featuring Bruna Castagna in the title role.

Broadcast: Luisa Miller Broadcast: Luisa Miller

The love and intrigue begin at 12:30 PM.

Bell of the ball Bell of the ball

On this day in 1883 Leo Delibes’ Lakmé premiered in Paris.

Kingly sex Kingly sex

As far as prewar Italian verismo goes, L’amore dei tre re is a supernova.

I want magic I want magic

Why, only now, Cendrillon is having its premiere at the Met is a puzzling question.

They live by night They live by night

A heady audience paid top price to pack Carnegie Hall Thursday for just 80 minutes of unstaged Wagner. 

Day of the Divas 2: Divadienst! Day of the Divas 2: Divadienst!

Born on this day: four divas and counting!

BASTA: You must take the ‘C’ train BASTA: You must take the ‘C’ train

After an early Saturday shift bar-backing at Aura Bar, Evan had trotted over to his friend Jesús Halévy’s for a late-night slumber party à deux.

Djinn and tonic Djinn and tonic

“Trove Thursday” offers one of Rameau’s rarest full-length works, Acante et Céphise featuring The English Concert conducted by Trevor Pinnock.

Day of the divas Day of the divas

Born on this day in 1898 soprano Lily Pons. Happy 85th birthday soprano Montserrat Caballé and happy 70th birthday soprano Mariella Devia!

Modern family Modern family

Yusif Eyvazov will sing the role of Cavaradossi in the first four performances of the spring run of Puccini’s Tosca, replacing Marcelo Álvarez.

The trouble with Norma The trouble with Norma

If one looks at trends in the last 40 or so years, the most successful Normas are mainly those who’ve made not just bel canto, but Bellini as a mainstay in their repertoire.

Bella come un’aurora Bella come un’aurora

On this day in 1975 soprano Katia Ricciarelli made her Met debut as Mimi.