Sommo giubilo, Eccellenza!
Peter Gelb announces that the Met will return its 1980s glory days as a hideously overpriced theme park and David McVicar whinges about literally everything.
Recent Stories
Blue-eyed soul
Happy 51st birthday tenor Piotr Beczala.
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).
Scrumptious and relatable
I had a panic attack, that’s how moved you made me.
“I am at heart a gentleman”
Born on this day in 1901 actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.
Broadcast: Hansel and Gretel
Starting at 7:30, cher public, the Met broadcast of Hansel and Gretel featuring Lisette Oropesa.
“Without laughter life on our planet would be intolerable”
Born on this day in 1921, comedian/TV host/composer Steve Allen.
Merry Christmas, Parterrians!
Happy 36th birthday soprano Sonya Yoncheva.
“Does it bite?”
On this night in 1951 Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors premiered on television.
Three’s company
Join La Cieca for Puccini’s Il trittico from the Bayerische Staatsoper, webcast at 1:00 PM today.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
O holy nightingale
Happy 71st birthday soprano Edita Gruberova.
“You just want to kiss yourself, you sound so great”
“Are you kidding? I’m having it put in my casket.”
“Art is a kind of illness”
Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.
Catch me if you cantata
J.S. Bach doesn’t get a lot of attention on this site although he wrote tons of vocal music.
Intimacy
Last week, a pair of terrific recitals demonstrated what kind of intimate spell a dramatic singer can cast when left alone with a piano.
On with the dance
On this day in 1921 Jerome Kern‘s Sally opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, to run 561 performances.
What a joy to be young
Born on this day in 1907 soprano Marion Talley.
Hell’s kitchen
Hansel and Gretel might just be the best thing the Met has done so far this season.
“I think you have to pay for love with bitter tears”
Born on this day in 1915 singer Edith Piaf.
Digging in the dirt
Even those of us who consider Guillaume Tell Rossini’s greatest opera understand why it has not been his most frequently staged.
Silver bell
Born on this day in 1920 soprano Rita Streich with music for the holidays.
As if they never said goodbye
Handsome singing by Roberto Alagna and extremely heavy makeup on Barbara Frittoli highlight these excerpts from Adriana Lecouvreur in Monte Carlo.
Iron man
On this day in 1398 the Turkic conqueror Tamerlane captured and sacked Delhi.
