The advent of the Nézet-Séguin era: announcing the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-2019 season The advent of the Nézet-Séguin era: announcing the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-2019 season

Accelerating his arrival as Music Director by two seasons, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will take up the post in time for the start of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018–19 season, it was announced today.

Quote unquote Quote unquote

Either venomous fishwife Norman Lebrecht has deliberately misquoted and misinterpreted what Jonas Kaufmann said in a recent interview, or else Jonas Kaufmann needs to go fuck himself.

Shack, rattle and roll Shack, rattle and roll

Happy 71st birthday composer John Adams.

Hemisemidemiramide Hemisemidemiramide

The problem with trying to revive Semiramide today is competing with the memory of the spectacular casting lavished upon the work during the golden age of the Volpe era.

Bringing up Babylon Bringing up Babylon

“Trove Valentine’s Day” further stokes Semiramis-fever with another of the celebrated works about the infamous queen: La Semiramide riconosciuta, a superb 1729 opera by Nicola Porpora.

Miss Fleming is ageless Miss Fleming is ageless

Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy Ash Wednesday! And happy 59th birthday soprano Renée Fleming!

“If it can’t fit into a suitcase, you don’t really need it” “If it can’t fit into a suitcase, you don’t really need it”

Happy 49th birthday mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

BASTA: The overt and the subliminal BASTA: The overt and the subliminal

As if the corner of Broadway and 53rd weren’t already busy enough, Evan Ingersoll couldn’t believe the line leading into the Mariachi Playhouse where BASTA tryouts were held.

“There was skating on the Hudson last night.” “There was skating on the Hudson last night.”

One can only assume that Sally Struthers wanted too much money.

Broadcast: Il trovatore Broadcast: Il trovatore

Yet another whack at Trovatore tonight starting at 7:25, cher public!

Ancien Regie Ancien Regie

Happy 95th birthday director and designer Franco Zeffirelli.

All woman All woman

On this day in 1966 soprano Pilar Lorengar made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Donna Elvira.

An evening in the Sewers An evening in the Sewers

Mean, moody, magnificent Matt Baume (left) hosts a live version of his celebrated podcast The Sewers of Paris this afternoon beginning at 5:00 PM Eastern time.

Heavy meta Heavy meta

So as not to play favorites at her Los Angeles recital last week, Renée Fleming performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion while wearing Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Broadcast: L’elisir d’amore Broadcast: L’elisir d’amore

This week’s dose of love potion will be taken a little early, cher public.

Joie de chant Joie de chant

Happy 91st birthday soprano Leontyne Price.

Opera = Drag Opera = Drag

Cher public, you are invited to submit your own choices of images best illustrating the tenuous line between Kunst and female impersonation.

Princess Bride Princess Bride

Alluring Anna Netrebko sings an aria from Tsarskaya nevesta two nights ago.

Blonde faith Blonde faith

On this day in 1974 soprano Kiri Te Kanawa made an “emergency” Met debut and broadcast debut as Desdemona.

Horne in the morning and June at night Horne in the morning and June at night

Semiramide produced at Carnegie Hall by Matthew Epstein in 1983 with June Anderson, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey and Douglas Ahlstedt with Henry Lewis conducting.

Transient worker Transient worker

On this day in 1996 mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli made her Metropolitan Opera stage debut as Despina.

B-flat-boying B-flat-boying

“I included one of my power moves, the windmill, when I sang Erismena at the Château De Versailles.”

Judges for yourself Judges for yourself

With the Met’s announcement of the 2018-2019 season approximately a week away, La Cieca thought we should review the always oracular and generally accurate Future Met Wiki.

Puritani, as the driven snow Puritani, as the driven snow

It was an afternoon of spectacular singing, particularly from the two principals and the glorious Lyric Opera Chorus.