I am not easily assimilated
On this day in 1986 the Charles Strouse / Stephen Schwartz / Teresa Stratas musical Rags opened on Broadway.
Recent Stories
Daniela Dessì 1957-2016
Soprano Daniela Dessì has died of cancer. She was 59.
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).
Just before the Battle, mother, I am thinking most of you
Those of you looking forward to enjoying a Broadway play based on the life of Kathleen Battle, starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, will have to go on waiting.
“I don’t think any novelist should be concerned with literature”
Born on this day in 1918 novelist Jacqueline Susann.
“After all that time, she can call Tristan ‘du’ surely”
Finally we know what Brian Kellow used to do at Opera News: proofreading.
The name game
“And what, after all, is this ‘love’ everyone keeps singing about and dying for?”
In those strange days, people coming from—God knows where—joined forces in that far Western land
On this day in 1848 the New York Herald reported the discovery of gold in California.
La Duchesse s’amuse
As promised, “Trove Thursday” offers Don Quichote chez la duchesse, a second nearly unknown opera based on Cervantes’ towering literary masterpiece.
Do you know because I tell you so
On this day in 1920, Amendment XIX to the United States Constitution was ratified.
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!
Straniero, ascolta!
A sneak preview of perhaps the most intriguing track on Anna Netrebko’s forthcoming Verismo CD.
Pièce de résistance
I was hopeful that my next operatic engagement would offer greater rewards: Norma at the Edinburgh Festival.
A guy what takes his time
On this day in 1876 Wagner’s Götterdämmerung premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
Seliger Öde auf wonniger Höh’
On this day in 1876 Wagner’s Siegfried premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
‘Tale’ of the unexpected
I am happy to finally add Les contes d’Hoffmann to the playlist in a Salzburg performance from 2003 with Neil Shicoff in one of his parade roles.
Bridging the gap
On Saturday night, dell’ arte Opera Ensemble presented a lean performance of La Traviata.
May the Schwarz be with you
Happy 73rd birthday mezzo-soprano Hanna Schwarz.
Regista
Born on this day in 1904 baritone and teacher Martial Singher.
Amateur hour
Florence Foster Jenkins, a new film directed by Stephen Frears, celebrates a true amateur.
How green was my hill
On this day in 1876 the Bayreuth Festspielhaus opens with the first complete performance of the Ring.
The man who brought back Baroque
Happy 89th birthday conductor Raymond Leppard.
Wagner, where you least expect it
“Trove Thursday” offers a Der Fliegende Holländer from New York City Opera featuring the underrated American soprano Johanna Meier.
Patrice Munsel 1925-2016
The soprano, famed for her status youngest performer to make a debut at the Met as well as her flamboyant style and personality, died last Thursday after suffering a stroke.
