Dem inneren Triebe
On this day in 1808 Beethoven’s Fidelio premiered in Vienna.
Recent Stories
Trying to make order out of my life was like trying to pick up a jellyfish”
Born on this day in 1920 actress Gene Tierney.
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).
Turban outfitter
“Ms. Netrebko is not the kind to wear sweatpants unless they are fancy…”
To weep and remember
Last evening’s scorching performance of Fallujah by the New York City Opera demonstrated that sometimes impact is not limited by physical proximity.
All night long
In one important respect, a great production of Puccini resembles a great production of Wagner.
Flight of fancy
Jonathan Dove’s Flight is an opera that makes excellent use of setting.
Grossmächtige Prinzessin
Born on this day in 1891 soprano Maria Ivogün.
Something that’s grim, something that’s Greek
Leoncavallo’s Edipo Re.
A gal a day is enough for me
“Extremely noisy without being nearly as mirthful as their other films”
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!
Climbing Up the Ass II: The Climbening
Incoming Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin lavishes praise on former Met Music Director James Levine for actually doing his job, for once.
God tells me how the music should sound, but you stand in the way
On this day in 1908 conductor Arturo Toscanini made his Metropolitan Opera debut.
Gone girl
Anna Netrebko‘s Manon was deeply unforgettable for its wide scope, control, and incredible virtuosity.
Troy story
Lyric Opera of Chicago rose to the challenges mightily in its first-ever performance of Les Troyens.
Something Aten!
Akhnaten, seen at the Los Angeles Opera on November 13 tells the story of the Pharaoh who abandoned traditional Egyptian polytheism.
Well, it was just ghastly
Happy 82nd birthday actress Joanna Barnes!
Chat: Manon Lescaut
Get your faces on, cher public, for tonight’s chat during the season premiere of Manon Lescaut.
Taking stock of what I have and what I haven’t
Which two divine opera productions will make New York fans feel like they’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night when these stagings arrive here in the 2018-2019 season?
Battlemania
Miss Battle was greeted with a thunderous ovation befitting a beloved singer at the end of an illustrious career.
Leonie on the Nile
Leonie Rysanek, would have turned 90 today.
Over the top
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.
After the fall
Washington National Opera offered a shellshocked D.C. some much-needed diversion Saturday night, with a new production of La Fille du Regiment.
Harris twee
On this day in 1965 the musical Skyscraper opened on Broadway.
