A young me
Happy 82nd birthday soprano Mirella Freni.
Recent Stories
Webcast: Semiramide
Watch and discuss, cher public, as the Bayerische Staatsoper streams a new production of Rossini’s Semiramide boasting a starry cast including Joyce DiDonato, Alex Esposito, Daniela Barcellona and Lawrence Brownlee.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
Water, logged
So, how excited are you to read another piece about the Mary Zimmerman Rusalka?
“I have always been extremely rude, and got exactly what I wanted”
Born on this day in 1909 or thereabouts TV chef Fanny Cradock.
Plummeting in love
The Met’s current production of Verdi’s La Traviata is something of a mixed bag.
Broadcast: Rusalka
La Cieca invites everyone to discuss this afternoon’s broadcast and HD of Rusalka from the Met!
O heureuse Iphigénie
Our old, old, old friends at Opera Depot are belatedly celebrating the birthday of regal Régine Crespin by discounting all of her recordings at 50% off.
Looking daggers
On this day in 1911 Victor Herbert‘s opera Natoma premiered in Philadelphia.
Broadcast: La traviata
La Cieca invites the cher public (pictured, you do the math) to discuss tonight’s broadcast of La traviata from the Met, starting at 7:25 PM.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Wig schlock
Despite the participation of venerable composer Carlisle Floyd, the only distinction Prince of Players can claim is as the worst drag show in Manhattan.
I’ve never seen one as big as that before
The ineffable Fred Plotkin explains why, so far as he’s concerned, size doesn’t matter.
La mia voce tuonerà
Happy 83rd birthday soprano Renata Scotto.
Conquering hero
Today is Handel’s 332nd birthday and “Trove Thursday” celebrates with a rare live broadcast of his best-known opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto.
Levine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
“How many years can you ask your subscribers to see the same production?”
Reine par l’amour de ses sujets heureux!
Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.
Dancing lady
I entered the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday night for LA Opera’s 30 year old revival of their production of Salome with a combination of enthusiasm and apprehension.
Devil may not care
The subject of timidity has been in my thoughts in these waning days of February 2017. One would almost think there had been some big announcement recently, preceded by a series of smaller ones, to turn a U.S.-based opera fan’s thoughts in this direction.
Now the milkman’s on his way
Born on this day in 1896 composer Nacio Herb Brown.
Wallflower at the orgy
I’ve reached one of my goals for 2017: with this week’s upload of Edgar, you can now find at least one complete performance of every opera by Giacomo Puccini on my Mixcloud site.
I take the longest to get ready of anyone
Born on this day in 1934 actress Rue McClanahan.
Frauen sind doch bessere Diplomaten
1940s German musical movie star Marika Rökk was a Russian counterspy!
Nature abhors a vacuum
La Cieca asks the cher public to take a moment to enhance their enjoyment of parterre.com by reviewing these updates and suggestions.
