Nobody’s interested in sweetness and light Nobody’s interested in sweetness and light

Born on this day in 1890 gossip columnist Hedda Hopper

Das Süsses Mädel and the Boy from Berlin Das Süsses Mädel and the Boy from Berlin

Diana Damrau has chosen for her new Erato recital disc Grand Opera 11 high-flying showpieces from ten operas by Giacomo Meyerbeer.

Hidden treasure Hidden treasure

Born on this day in 1922 soprano Florence Quartararo.

Cremistress Cremistress

Appearances to the contrary, Deborah Voigt has not entered into a collaboration with Matthew Barney, or not yet anyway.

Laughing boy Laughing boy

Born on this day in 1908 voice actor and radio comedian Mel Blanc.

Fixing the fan Fixing the fan

Cio-Cio and Carmen: what do you do with two tragic heroines who typify not just the sexist clichés, but also the soupy exotic fixations, of the Old-World West?

Gone to flowers Gone to flowers

Happy Memorial Day US Parterrians!

So quick bright things come to confusion So quick bright things come to confusion

Born on this day in 1943 soprano Elena Souliotis.

Broadcast: Lucia di Lammermoor Broadcast: Lucia di Lammermoor

For your listening and discussing pleasure this afternoon, cher public, we offer Lucia di Lammermoor from Lyric Opera of Chicago.

D’orror, d’affanno, d’angoscia D’orror, d’affanno, d’angoscia

As we enter the third week of the post-Fleming era, La Cieca would like to keep memory’s torch alive for America’s Most Beloved Quasi-Retired Diva.

“It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared” “It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared”

Born on this day in 1911 actor Vincent Price.

And now she sings it from Steamboat Springs to La Paz And now she sings it from Steamboat Springs to La Paz

Two aspects of Cecilia Bartoli in the title role of Ariodante, to be performed next week at the Salzburger Festspiele Pfingsten.

Don’t let them tame you Don’t let them tame you

Born on this day in 1877 dancer and choreographer Isadora Duncan.

I won’t dance, don’t ask me I won’t dance, don’t ask me

A live Un Ballo in Maschera featuring Jon Vickers, Amy Shuard, Lucia Popp, Shirley Verrett and Peter Glossop.

Lady with red hair Lady with red hair

Born on this day in 1929 soprano Beverly Sills.

Minnie series Minnie series

New York City Opera’s 2017/2018 season will offer four new mainstage productions at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater,

Slightly unconventional Slightly unconventional

On this day in 1966 the Jerry Herman musical Mame opened at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Fresh faces Fresh faces

Bass Christian Zaremba will sing the role of Angelotti in the Met’s new production of Tosca opening New Year’s Eve.

Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit

At long last, cher public, a finale to our Senta’s Ballad quiz, nearly a month late! The name of the winner and the complete lists of sopranos after the jump. 

Serenade Serenade

The Broad Stage presented Joseph Calleja in their Celebrity Opera Series May 10 with a concert called A Tribute to Mario Lanza.

Windy City opera lady Windy City opera lady

Born on this day in 1893 soprano Rosa Raisa.

And one for Goethe! And one for Goethe!

Due to a small hiccup in scheduling at Casa della Cieca, this week you get two uploads!

La rue est un musée pour tous! La rue est un musée pour tous!

Born on this day in 1907 comic book creator Hergé.

Not since John Dexter’s ‘Billy Budd’… Not since John Dexter’s ‘Billy Budd’…

“Uh, I have,” Mr. McDermott said, laughing.