Broadcast: Rigoletto Broadcast: Rigoletto

La Cieca (pictured) invites you all to enjoy and comment upon this afternoon’s broadcast of Rigoletto, already in progress.

Ein Wolf war er feigen Füchsen! Ein Wolf war er feigen Füchsen!

Here’s Matt Baume enjoying Der Fluch Des Engelhart,

Goodness has nothing to do with it Goodness has nothing to do with it

On this day in 1943 Bertolt Brecht’s play Der gute Mensch von Sezuan premiered in Zurich.

Sleeping with the fishes Sleeping with the fishes

With a cast of stellar singers and uneven direction by Mary Zimmerman, Dvorák’s Rusalka debuts in a new production at the Metropolitan Opera.

A red dress to the Olympus Ball? A red dress to the Olympus Ball?

On this day in 1939, Bette Davis won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for Jezebel.

Chakra can Chakra can

Which diva has blamed her chronic tardiness at rehearsals on a bad case of misaligned throat chakra?

Broadcast: Rusalka Broadcast: Rusalka

Tonight’s prima of Rusalka at the Met will be broadcast (and, La Cieca trusts, discussed) starting at 7:55 PM.

She doth teach the torches to burn bright! She doth teach the torches to burn bright!

“Trove Thursday” presents Ann Hallenberg and Franco Fagioli in the title roles of a true rarity: Giulietta e Romeo by Niccolò Antonio Zingarelli.

Comedy on the Calais Coach Comedy on the Calais Coach

Friday night Music Director James Conlon sold Die Entfürhung aus dem Serial to a tony crowd of Angelenos. 

Gossip is just news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress Gossip is just news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress

Happy 94th birthday to the “Grand Dame of Dish,” journalist Liz Smith

Pyramid scheme Pyramid scheme

Isn’t it inspiring how deeply Francesca Zambello has sunk her tentacles into the heart of American opera?

Wooden soldiers Wooden soldiers

Babes in Toyland will feature Kelli O’Hara, Bill Irwin, Lauren Worsham, Christopher Fitzgerald, Drew Barrymore, Keanu Reeves, Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita.

The sprite in you The sprite in you

Today’s Rusalka video overview covers filmed performances of Dvorák’s opera since 2010.

“What do you mean it’s not a lookalike contest?” “What do you mean it’s not a lookalike contest?”

“If you think this is good, wait until you see me as Shirley Bassey!” Barton added.

Triple threat Triple threat

Happy birthday director/choreographer/librettist John De Los Santos.

Mezz appeal Mezz appeal

Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton has been named the winner of the 12th annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera.

White blossoms scorched by the sun White blossoms scorched by the sun

While some once-popular Met operas have fallen into neglect in the past quarter century, Rusalka has returned regularly since its 1993 premiere.

I sing each word as though it were my last on earth I sing each word as though it were my last on earth

Born on this day in 1921 tenor and film star Mario Lanza.

Trio by Leos Trio by Leos

This week, a Janácek trilogy: Sárka, Osud and Zápisník zmizelého.

Bells ring, fountains splash Bells ring, fountains splash

Happy 89th birthday Broadway producer Hal Prince.

Hello young lovers Hello young lovers

On this day in 1595 Romeo and Juliet is thought to have been first performed.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame

“Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand / A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame / Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name / Mother of Exiles…”

La calunnia è un Wendy aftershow La calunnia è un Wendy aftershow

The ubiquitous Pretty Yende headlines this afternoon’s broadcast of Il barbiere di Siviglia from the Met. Discuss!

Some like it hot Some like it hot

Premiere on this day in 1830: the opera Fra Diavolo.