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Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt
On this day in 1866 the opera Mignon premiered at the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra-Comique, Paris.
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).
Glass warfare
Saturday’s Washington National Opera premiere of a new version of Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton’s Appomattox had everything going for it but the opera.
Girl of the Golden North
Two years before she brought the role to Wiener Staatsoper in a production somewhat dominated by Jonas Kaufmann, soprano Nina Stemme sang her first-ever Minnie in La fanciulla del West at Stockholm’s Royal Opera.
Possente maestro
On this day in 1908 Arturo Toscanini made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting a new production of Aïda, with Emmy Destinn, also making her debut, in the title role.
Down in the depths
On this day in 1903 Eugen d’Albert‘s Tiefland premiered in Prague.
We are all enfants de la Patrie
La Cieca hears that the Metropolitan Opera will perform “La Marseillaise” before this afternoon’s performance of Tosca.
Die Göttin dieser Insel
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.
La figlia dell’aria
For her third solo recording, Olga Peretyatko summons the two men who launched her career less than a decade ago
Il existe une cité au séjour enchanté
Always look for the helpers.
Enigma variation
On Thursday evening Jennifer Wilson “finally” made a belated, disappointing Met debut as Turandot.
American gothic
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.”
Freud Schaden
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s ticket sale income decreased by almost $3 million between FY 2014 and FY 2015.
Would I not die for you, dear, if I could?
“Merry Widow final dress rehearsal was a big success! Renée is simply to die for!”
“Come in, Mr. Tact”
“‘Fat-pack’ critic-attacked mezzo to debut at Carnegie Hall”
Che? Faro!
Galina Vishnevskaya, Irina Arkhipova and Yuri Mazurok in Queen of Spades is a rare treat for this week’s “Trove Thursday.”
“Hollywood amuses me”
Born on this day in 1929 actress, later princess Grace Kelly.
Everything old is old again
“The group originally hoped to mount a lavish production by Franco Zeffirelli….”
Lulu’s back in town
Continuing coverage of the Met’s new Alban Berg spectacular.
Blind bombshell
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.
That’s nobody’s business but the Turks
On this day in 1725 Handel’s opera Tamerlano premiered in London.
Bête baignoire
Why, look: Norman Lebrecht has found yet another reactionary cause to embrace!
Let me like a soldier fall
Between them, Maria Guleghina, Marcello Giordani, James Morris and John Del Carlo have nearly 150 combined years of service on stage.