“The first day I arrived, they told me to go home and get rid of that cold” “The first day I arrived, they told me to go home and get rid of that cold”

Born on this day in 1917 actress June Allyson

“If they had tried to give me only flowers, I would have spit in their faces” “If they had tried to give me only flowers, I would have spit in their faces”

Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.

Anna on the Hill Anna on the Hill

According to a scan posted on Anna Netrebko‘s Instagram, the diva has received a contract from the Bayreuth Festival.

The love that dare not yawp its name The love that dare not yawp its name

Matthew Aucoin’s Crossing depicts Walt Whitman’s experience serving wounded soldiers in a DC infirmary and chronicles the period’s tragic effects.

Rome if you want to without anything but the love we feel Rome if you want to without anything but the love we feel

“Trove Thursday” marks Monteverdi’s 450th birthday with a rare broadcast of his towering final work L’Incoronazione di Poppea.

“What are old friends for?” “What are old friends for?”

Born on this day in 1923 actress Glynis Johns.

A voice that must be heard A voice that must be heard

At the center of the Met’s revival of Puccini’s La bohème, one found the rich and layered talent of Angel Blue.

“Silence is of the gods; only monkeys chatter” “Silence is of the gods; only monkeys chatter”

Born on this day in 1895 actor, director, and producer Buster Keaton.

As time goes on, I realize just what you mean to me As time goes on, I realize just what you mean to me

There is a slight chill in the air during the final minutes of La Traviata.

Voci di guerra Voci di guerra

September 2017 was a time everyone wanted to read about Druids in parterre box. Our most popular posts for the month.

“The unfed mind devours itself” “The unfed mind devours itself”

Born on this day in 1925 author Gore Vidal.

Broadcast: La bohème Broadcast: La bohème

The debut of soprano Angel Blue is but one highlight of tonight’s live broadcast from the Met.

Outside this house Outside this house

The 55th New York Film Festival presented the world premiere of Susan Froemke’s marvelous new documentary The Opera House in a special one-time-only screening at the Metropolitan Opera. 

Peazy weazy Peazy weazy

Born on this day in 1890 comedian and author Groucho Marx

“You never start out being a star” “You never start out being a star”

Happy 82nd birthday Julie Andrews.

Brotherly love Brotherly love

When I moved back to Philadelphia a few years ago, I reached out to Albert Innaurato.

Broadcast: Vanessa Broadcast: Vanessa

A live recording of the Barber/Menotti weepie from the 2016 Wexford Festival

And making the grade is our duty, you see And making the grade is our duty, you see

On this day in 1954 Sandy Wilson‘s musical The Boy Friend opened at the Royale Theater, to run 483 performances.

“I am not carefree.” “I am not carefree.”

Born on this day in 1942 singer and actress Madeline Kahn.

Dark matter Dark matter

In Schikaneder’s patriarchal cosmology, darkness is the province of emotional women—not just the erratic fury of the Queen of the Night, but the pathetic supplications of Pamina as well.

My metaphor was drawn from genocides My metaphor was drawn from genocides

Peter Gelb offering voluntary buyouts to a couple of dozen employees is precisely the same thing as Nazis murdering hundreds of people.

Debuts and farewells Debuts and farewells

Arabella with Wolfgang Sawallisch conducting a prime-time 1980s Munich cast.

“He was sort of the Brando of music” “He was sort of the Brando of music”

Rest in peace, dear Albert.

You were dead, you know You were dead, you know

Lyric Opera of Chicago opened its 2017-18 season on Saturday evening with a new production of Gluck’s Orphee et Eurydice in the 1774 Paris version.