And see if I can be rebirthed next Thursday afternoon
Anna Netrebko has become Edina Monsoon.
Recent Stories
Even I want to be Cary Grant
Born on this day in 1904 actor Cary Grant.
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!
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
“Clémentine Margaine will make her Met debut in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen this Thursday, January 19.”
Blut force
The very first Vienna post-war performance of Elektra.
On this good day
Happy 95th birthday actress Betty White.
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
Renée Fleming doesn’t sound Southern. In fact, she doesn’t even sound Earthian.
A damned exasperating woman
On this day in 1964 Hello, Dolly! opened at the St. James Theater, to run 2,844 performances.
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).
Doommates
The aesthetic vision of M. Lamar’s Funeral Doom Spiritual was undeniable.
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…
“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
The Met’s final performance of La bohème this season is today’s Saturday afternoon broadcast.
What it says on the tin
On this day in 1925 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck premiered in Berlin.
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
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!
Born on this day in 1887 singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality Sophie Tucker.
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
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn6-6jNCaRc
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
Beaumarchais clearly delighted in this unobtrusive realm.
