The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography

Born on this day in 1920 film director and screenwriter Federico Fellin.

And see if I can be rebirthed next Thursday afternoon And see if I can be rebirthed next Thursday afternoon

Anna Netrebko has become Edina Monsoon.

Even I want to be Cary Grant Even I want to be Cary Grant

Born on this day in 1904 actor Cary Grant.

A point upon a map of fog A point upon a map of fog

San Francisco Opera in 2017-2018 presents the Ring cycle, a new John Adams/Peter Sellars collaboration called Girls of the Golden West, plus new productions of Elektra (Christine Goerke, Stephanie Blythe, Adrianne Pieczonka) and Manon (Nadine Sierra,  Michael Fabiano.) 

Met’s loss is our Margaine Met’s loss is our Margaine

Clémentine Margaine will make her Met debut in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen this Thursday, January 19.”

Blut force Blut force

The very first Vienna post-war performance of Elektra.

On this good day On this good day

Happy 95th birthday actress Betty White.

Traveling music Traveling music

Andrea Andermann is the veteran film producer who had the notion to assemble top-flight talent from the worlds of music and cinema for a generously funded film of Tosca.

It has become that time of morning It has become that time of morning

Renée Fleming doesn’t sound Southern. In fact, she doesn’t even sound Earthian.

A damned exasperating woman A damned exasperating woman

On this day in 1964 Hello, Dolly! opened at the St. James Theater, to run 2,844 performances.

Doommates Doommates

The aesthetic vision of M. Lamar’s Funeral Doom Spiritual was undeniable.

He who placed me in this seat will keep me here He who placed me in this seat will keep me here

On this day in 1559 the coronation of Elizabeth I of England took place.

Not since the Zodiac Killer… Not since the Zodiac Killer…

“Marlis Petersen, in her first shot at the role, is as complete a video Violetta as Rosanna Carteri, Marie McLaughlin or the young Angela Gheorghiu, and as riveting as Teresa Stratas or Anna Netrebko.”

Chat: La bohème Chat: La bohème

The Met’s final performance of La bohème this season is today’s Saturday afternoon broadcast.

What it says on the tin What it says on the tin

On this day in 1925 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck premiered in Berlin.

Caved Caved

The Met has canceled its new production of La forza del destino, which was to have been directed by Calixto Bieito.

You give me fever You give me fever

Mortality is ugly—it smells, it makes uncomfortable noises, it takes its time; and then there is the overwhelming sense of dread and helplessness.

The key to longevity: keep breathing! The key to longevity: keep breathing!

Born on this day in 1887 singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality Sophie Tucker.

Nadir at zenith Nadir at zenith

Les Pêcheurs de Perles with an impressive Francophone cast headed by the superb Nadir of Alain Vanzo, one of my favorite tenors.

Deplorable disc Deplorable disc

Norman Lebrecht is a bloody-minded crank, but, honestly, some of the commenters on his site make him seem the reincarnation of Mother Teresa.

Keep on using vibrato Keep on using vibrato

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn6-6jNCaRc

Innovators are inevitably controversial Innovators are inevitably controversial

Born on this day in 1899 actress, producer, director, translator, writer and teacher Eva Le Gallienne.

A little off the top A little off the top

Beaumarchais clearly delighted in this unobtrusive realm.

“Anne, my dear, your advice is needed in the kitchen” “Anne, my dear, your advice is needed in the kitchen”

From Operabase.