‘Happy’ birthday
On this day in 1876 Ponchielli’s La Gioconda premiered in Milan.
Recent Stories
East Side Story
Fiery Latinas Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews strike sparks!
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).
Name that Neptune
The month of March 2017 on parterre box can be summed up in three topics: Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann and religious Cretans.
Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid
Born on this day in 1897 newscaster/columnist Walter Winchell.
And I am telling you I’m not going
“I never said that I was stepping away from the opera stage for good.”
Da drin ist die silberne Ros’n
A week from tonight the Met premieres an eagerly anticipated new Der Rosenkavalier, its first in nearly 50 years—probably to the dismay of many grown used to the venerable Nathaniel Merrill–Robert O’Hearn production. As a preview “Trove Thursday” offers a live broadcast of Richard Strauss’s most popular opera with a delicious cast headed by Régine […]
Love’s a green eyed monster
Born on this day in 1928 model, actress and singer Joi Lansing.
Lethal injection
If British Opera magazine is to be believed, incoming Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin has already scheduled the first artistic fiasco of his new incumbency.
She’s doing her own little thing
“She wanted to be Beyoncé. She still does”
The gala lilies are in bloom again
Saturday night the Los Angeles Opera threw itself a party.
Comme une fleur s’ouvre au soleil
Happy 87th birthday soprano Mary Costa.
The shadow of it all!
On this day in 1859 Meyerbeer’s Dinorah premiered in Paris.
“Nel dì della vittoria io le incontrai…”
“Che tardi? Accetta il dono, / Ascendivi a regnar!”
A quiet girl
“Tatiana has developed into one of Netrebko’s very best roles.”
War, what is it good for?
Verdi’s ninth opera, Attila, offers all the noisy music from Nabucco without a “Va pensiero” to cherish.
At last my heart’s an open door
Today actress and singer Doris Day, 93, celebrates her 95th birthday.
See the pyramids along the Nile
“Je veux des éléphants! Je veux de l’or! Impressionnez-moi!”
Ligeti, split
On this day in 1968, Stanley Kubrick‘s classic science-fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C.
Clash of symbols
La Campana Sommersa (The Sunken Bell), which is being presented by the New York City Opera at the Rose Theater through April 7, is a true oddball.
Broadcast: Fidelio
Listen to Beethoven’s ode to the human spirit and kvetch about the singing this afternoon, cher public.
Me muero, me sale una hernia!
Born on this day in 1868 playwright Edmond Rostand.
Metamorphoses
Leos Janacek composed Adventures of Vixen Sharp-Ears, with its singing forest creatures of many species, in 1922-23.
Master of the house
Incoming Met music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin “plans to open his first season with a new production of Verdi’s Aida starring Anna Netrebko and to start the following season with Ms. Netrebko as Strauss’s Salome.”