Broadcast: The Ghosts of Versailles Broadcast: The Ghosts of Versailles

This afternoon at 1:00 PM, The Ghosts of Versailles from Los Angeles Opera: all this and Patti LuPone too!

“Fear, after all, is our real enemy” “Fear, after all, is our real enemy”

Born on this day in 1904 novelist Christopher Isherwood.

Telecast: La Traviata Telecast: La Traviata

Michael Fabiano and Sonya Yoncheva star in Great Performances at the Met’s telecast of La Traviata tonight at 9:00 PM.

“I was all personality and no talent” “I was all personality and no talent”

Born on this day in 1910 actress and dancer Ruby Keeler.

Nile, see you in my dreams Nile, see you in my dreams

A spokesman for Anna Netrebko informs parterre box that the diva is scheduled to sing Aïda at the Met during the 2018-2019 season.

They’ll be gaga at the rogo! They’ll be gaga at the rogo!

La Cieca hears that the controversial but parterre-acclaimed Norma of Cecilia Bartoli will tour to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in (our informant says) “an upcoming season.”

For me and my Gaul For me and my Gaul

I first went bonkers for Bellini’s masterpiece during the previous century when the Met remounted it for Joan Sutherland.

“I don’t know many people” “I don’t know many people”

Born on this day in 1913 actress Dorothy Comingore.

Cub reporter Cub reporter

Happy 37th birthday author, commentator, podcaster and storyteller Matt Baume.

And the villain still pursued her And the villain still pursued her

Bard College presented a semi-staged concert of Halka on Saturday evening as part of its impressively wide-ranging two-week “Chopin and his World” festival.

There is no cure for curiosity There is no cure for curiosity

Born on this day in 1893 author and critic Dorothy Parker.

Darkness at noon Darkness at noon

Happy Solar Eclipse!

“When you’re climbing Mount Everest, nothing is easy” “When you’re climbing Mount Everest, nothing is easy”

Born on this day in 1918 (but you didn’t hear that from me) author Jacqueline Susann.

Vous ne pouvez pas rester ici toute seule Vous ne pouvez pas rester ici toute seule

A new Pelléas et Mélisande from the Vienna State Opera featuring Simon Keenlyside as Golaud.

“Try not to bump into the furniture” “Try not to bump into the furniture”

Born on this day in 1893 actor and director Alfred Lunt.

Don’t send in the clowns Don’t send in the clowns

La Cieca sadly notes that LoftOpera has postponed their production of Pagliaccci (scheduled to open September 15) until a later date to be announced.

“I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn’t last long” “I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn’t last long”

Born on this day in 1920 actress Shelley Winters..

My new philosophy My new philosophy

A rollicking performance of his delightful comic opera Der geduldige Sokrates featuring a fine cast and the magnificent Akademie für Alte Musik conducted by René Jacobs.

Action speaks louder than words Action speaks louder than words

Born on this day in 1893 actress and playwright Mae West.

Vedrai, piccolo amor Vedrai, piccolo amor

Good news, Puccini fans!

“The truer challenge, the deeper obligation, begins after the the camera stops” “The truer challenge, the deeper obligation, begins after the the camera stops”

Happy 89th birthday actress Ann Blyth.

Peace with your cries of useless lament! Peace with your cries of useless lament!

Born on this day in 1936 soprano Rita Shane.

All they are saying is give peace a chance All they are saying is give peace a chance

Two of the greatest opera composers of the 20th century both happened to be gay and ardent pacifists.

Nunzio di gioia è il bel sorriso Nunzio di gioia è il bel sorriso

Happy 57th birthday soprano Cecilia Gasdia.