The priestess with the mostest The priestess with the mostest

Edita Gruberova takes on the requirements of the title role in Bellini’s Norma.

New boy in town New boy in town

On this day in 1996 tenor Roberto Alagna made his Met debut as Rodolfo.

Momentary impoliteness row in tots’ opera shock Momentary impoliteness row in tots’ opera shock

The unheard-of horror of a lack of unanimous approbation for a British composer’s work led to an appalling lack of civility on Twitter over the weekend.

Devil’s candy Devil’s candy

The Richard Tucker Music Foundation announced today that Christian Van Horn has been named as the winner of the 2018 Richard Tucker Award.

The messenger The messenger

On this day in 1992 soprano Deborah Polaski made her Met debut as Kundry.

Lady first Lady first

This revival of Phyllida Lloyd’s 2002 Macbeth production was probably the most anticipated event of the Royal Opera House 2017/2018 season, due mostly to Anna Netrebko’s return to Covent Garden after a three-year absence.

Noises on Noises on

[via metopera.org]

Webcast: Il Corsaro Webcast: Il Corsaro

Mesmerizing Michael Fabiano stars,

Prince of the city Prince of the city

Tenor Franco Corelli was born on this day in 1921, the 45th anniversary of the premiere of Ponchelli’s La Gioconda in Milan.

Broadcast: Tristan und Isolde Broadcast: Tristan und Isolde

Act Two of Wagner’s music drama with the Boston Symphony.

Broadcast: Lucia di Lammermoor Broadcast: Lucia di Lammermoor

Speaking of grand opera (and La Cieca is sure the cher public will!), today’s matinee broadcast begins at 12:30 PM.

Mother lode Mother lode

Charles Busch‘s The Confession of Lily Dare bundles up a long weekend’s worth of TCM “pre-code fallen woman” tropes into a neatly hilarious 90 minute package.

You’ve got to climb Mount Everest You’ve got to climb Mount Everest

On this day in 1975 soprano Beverly Sills made her official Metropolitan Opera debut as Pamira in L’assedio di Corinto. 

Girl, next door Girl, next door

Writing an opera for kids based on Neil Gaiman‘s successful children’s novel Coraline must have been a double challenge for Rory Mullarkey and Mark-Anthony Turnage

BASTA: Bang bang, he shot me down BASTA: Bang bang, he shot me down

Evan clicked over to the his favorite music critic’s weekly column, “Slings and Arias.” 

Dear name Dear name

On this day in 1989 soprano Sumi Jo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Gilda.

Broadcast: Turandot Broadcast: Turandot

Hei-Kyung Hong makes a rare Met appearance in Turandot tonight.

Bell de jour Bell de jour

Next week the Italian soprano Mariella Devia celebrates her 70th birthday so “Trove Thursday” salutes her with one of her earliest New York successes: Delibes’s Lakmé 

Elements of style Elements of style

Edita Gruberova essentially revived and propagated the bel canto repertoire in central Europe, specifically in the German-speaking countries.

A time to be born, a time to Die Fledermaus A time to be born, a time to Die Fledermaus

Conductor and director Herbert von Karajan was born on this date.

They just want to be loved They just want to be loved

Happy 58th birthday soprano Jane Eaglen.

Bold faces and broadcasts Bold faces and broadcasts

Yannick Nézet-Séguin‘s triumphant Elektra at the Met was the subject of parterre box’s most-read article in March 2018.

Beginner’s luck Beginner’s luck

On this day in 1975 soprano Magda Olivero made her historical, belated Metropolitan Opera debut as Tosca. 

Cradle snatcher Cradle snatcher

Years later, the wife—now a world-famous opera singer—