Recent Stories
La Cieca hears that the Metropolitan Opera will perform “La Marseillaise” before this afternoon’s performance of Tosca.
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.
For her third solo recording, Olga Peretyatko summons the two men who launched her career less than a decade ago
Always look for the helpers.
On Thursday evening Jennifer Wilson “finally” made a belated, disappointing Met debut as Turandot.
On this day in 1940, Walt Disney‘s animated film Fantasia was released, with the unique credit “Special Lyrics for ‘Ave Maria’ by Rachel Field.”
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s ticket sale income decreased by almost $3 million between FY 2014 and FY 2015.
“Merry Widow final dress rehearsal was a big success! Renée is simply to die for!”
Tell us: Filth or dementia?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
Grand Tier Grab Bag features the American Zwischenfach mezzo Irene Roberts ahead of an eclectic season of Wagner.
Grand Tier Grab Bag features the American Zwischenfach mezzo Irene Roberts ahead of an eclectic season of Wagner.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Poetic license
Poetic license
Parterre Box shines a light on Liparit Avetisyan, who made his Met debut as Alfredo earlier this spring.
Parterre Box shines a light on Liparit Avetisyan, who made his Met debut as Alfredo earlier this spring.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Frau Miina-Liisa will es werde Nacht
Frau Miina-Liisa will es werde Nacht
Parterre Box features soprano Miina-Liisa Värelä, making her title role debut in Die Walküre in Munich next week, in a performance of Tristan und Isolde from 2021.
Parterre Box features soprano Miina-Liisa Värelä, making her title role debut in Die Walküre in Munich next week, in a performance of Tristan und Isolde from 2021.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Lux aeterna luceat eis
Lux aeterna luceat eis
Grand Tier Grab Bag this week honors the late Limmie Pulliam with a bit of his Verdi Requiem.
Grand Tier Grab Bag this week honors the late Limmie Pulliam with a bit of his Verdi Requiem.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Kathryn the great
Kathryn the great
Parterre Box previews Kathryn Lewek‘s upcoming Salome with clips of her as another unhinged lady of antiquity.
Parterre Box previews Kathryn Lewek‘s upcoming Salome with clips of her as another unhinged lady of antiquity.
Grand Tier Grab Bag
Count your blessings
Count your blessings
Fast-rising Verdi baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbataar is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
Fast-rising Verdi baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbataar is the subject of this week’s Grand Tier Grab Bag.
“‘Fat-pack’ critic-attacked mezzo to debut at Carnegie Hall”
Galina Vishnevskaya, Irina Arkhipova and Yuri Mazurok in Queen of Spades is a rare treat for this week’s “Trove Thursday.”
Born on this day in 1929 actress, later princess Grace Kelly.
“The group originally hoped to mount a lavish production by Franco Zeffirelli….”
Continuing coverage of the Met’s new Alban Berg spectacular.
Though La Cieca hates to put the brakes on anyone’s excitement, the cher public should be aware that a beloved veteran diva is going to be a no-show at the Met Guild luncheon on Friday.
On this day in 1725 Handel’s opera Tamerlano premiered in London.
Why, look: Norman Lebrecht has found yet another reactionary cause to embrace!
Talk of the Town
The Talk of the Town
Ernest Ansermet was a great opera conductor
Ernest Ansermet was a great opera conductor
Although Ernest Ansermet is most often associated with orchestral music, his 1964 recording of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is still my favorite.
Although Ernest Ansermet is most often associated with orchestral music, his 1964 recording of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is still my favorite.
The Talk of the Town
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a great opera conductor
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a great opera conductor
Historically, conductors were often viewed as rigid, authoritarian figures. Yannick Nézet-Séguin completely subverts this stereotype.
Historically, conductors were often viewed as rigid, authoritarian figures. Yannick Nézet-Séguin completely subverts this stereotype.
The Talk of the Town
Patrizia Ciofi should have made it to the Met
Patrizia Ciofi should have made it to the Met
The artist who I feel should have made it to the Met is Patrizia Ciofi.
The artist who I feel should have made it to the Met is Patrizia Ciofi.
The Talk of the Town
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi never made it to the Met
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi never made it to the Met
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi never sang at the Met.
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi never sang at the Met.
The Talk of the Town
Andrée Esposito and Alain Vanzo should have made it to the Met
Andrée Esposito and Alain Vanzo should have made it to the Met
This Mireille duet unites Andrée Esposito and Alain Vanzo and shows the timbral and stylistic qualities that made them exemplary.
This Mireille duet unites Andrée Esposito and Alain Vanzo and shows the timbral and stylistic qualities that made them exemplary.
The Talk of the Town
Ebe Stignani and Anita Cerquetti should have made it to the Met
Ebe Stignani and Anita Cerquetti should have made it to the Met
Subtlety is for cowards, say the blazing Anita Cerquetti and the blaring Ebe Stignani.
Subtlety is for cowards, say the blazing Anita Cerquetti and the blaring Ebe Stignani.
Between them, Maria Guleghina, Marcello Giordani, James Morris and John Del Carlo have nearly 150 combined years of service on stage.
On this day in 1955, the musical The Vamp opened at the Winter Garden Theater, to run 60 performances.
“Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Brain Tumor Gone and Cancer-Free, to Sing at Helikon Opera in November,” reads the headline.
In New York, tradition insists, there are no limits to where a preposterous idea, talent and relentless determination will take you, in defiance of all the odds.
It’s time for the annual celebration of the birth of Leonie Rysanek (who, as you know, is your alte Jungfer’s Diva of Divas).
On this day in 1939 Ninotchka, starring Greta Garbo, premiered.
Born on this day in 1912 American actress June Havoc.
Happy 79th birthday to dramatic soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones!
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