“Music means itself”
Born on this day in 1825 critic Eduard Hanslick.
Recent Stories
Drama, Queen
Lightning struck again here when, after a wait of 39 years, San Francisco Opera unveiled a new production of Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux.
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).
Double exposure
San Francisco Opera opened their 2018-19 Season Friday with a double bill of Italian verismo operas, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, which made a welcome return to War Memorial Opera House after 15 years.
The Firebrand of Florence
On this day in 1838 Berlioz’ Benvenuto Cellini premiered in Paris.
Dear white people
America’s diva Renée Fleming belts out “Plus blanche que la blanche hermine.”
E lucevan le stelle
The Stars of Lyric Opera weren’t under the stars last night, prevented by a persistent cloud bank, but they nonetheless provided a stirring evening of music in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Do I hear a waltz?
Born on this day in 1828 writer Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy.
Judge not, lest ye be judged
A rare if not downright practically nonexistent live recording of Shirley Verrett‘s Amneris is but one of the highlights of today’s parterre saturday afternoon, starting at 2:00 PM.
She’s everything that every girl should be!
On this day in 1966, That Girl starring Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC.
With one look you’ll know all you need to know
You naysayers out there who are guffawing at Renée Fleming’s long-anticipated descent into utter camp: hey, be nice!
Youth has no age
Happy 53rd birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
Do you believe in Zajick?
“Trove Thursday” gives a preview of Saint-Saëns’s Samson et Dalila with a broadcast featuring an unexpected temptress—Dolora Zajick—who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her Met debut next month.
Funny lady
Happy 81st birthday to one of La Cieca’s very first divas, comedienne and actress Joanne Worley.
Blonde fury
Happy 58th birthday soprano Karita Mattila.
Being alive
Orfeo’s latest edition is a 1978 performance of Lucia di Lammermoor with a very estimable cast that on its surface may seem a tad mundane but the extensive liner notes (with performance photos) tell the story of why it held such magic.
Tristan up close
Sunday, August 26, marked the inaugural performance for the newly-created The Claude Heater Foundation with a concert performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde in the Herbst Theatre.
A career takes more than talent
Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress, TV panelist and arts activist Kitty Carlisle Hart.
Bows and arias
On this day in 1829 Rossini’s Guillaume Tell premiered in Paris.
The man who would be nymph
Sometimes the fates conspire, preventing an artist from recording the role for which he is his generation’s touchstone.
The man who played God
Born on this day in 1926 baritone Thomas Stewart.
Rigoletto on the fringe
Tanglewood may bring the classical music crowd to Lenox, but for opera, it’s all about neighboring Pittsfield, Mass.