Stage beauty
Since the 1916 version of Ariadne auf Naxos which we all know and love had its premiere at Wiener Staatsoper, it seems most appropriate to bring you this 1967 performance from the same venue, with a legendary cast at its zenith.
Recent Stories
Throne for a loop
On this day in 1056 Empress Theodora became ill, dying suddenly a few days later, without children to succeed the throne, ending the Macedonian dynasty.
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).
Anna behind bars
Anna Netrebko adds yet another veristic aria to her burgeoning repertoire: “L’altra notte in fondo al mare” from Boito’s Mefistofele.
It was a dark and stormy night
Born on this day in 1797 author Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley.
Summer of love
In just two years, Brooklyn’s LoftOpera has rapidly established itself as a bracing, essential addition to New York City’s musical life.
Tales of Stefan
This video everything: transgender muses, planted hecklers, Offenbach, serendipitous allusions to Caitlyn Jenner, reassigned music and the origin of the world.
I’ll fry tomorrow
According to an ancient American legend, on this day in 1896 the Chinese-American dish chop suey was created in New York City by the Cantonese chef of Chinese Ambassador Li Hung-Chang.
Mobbed by matinee girls
“She was literally mobbed by matinee girls of Berlin, and it required the efforts of a dozen policemen to rescue Miss Farrar from her young admirers.”
Schwann catalog
On this day in 1850 Richard Wagner‘s romantic opera Lohengrin premiered at Weimar, conducted by Franz Liszt.
It’s just one letter, but it makes a vas deferens
“But enough about Lou Tellegen,” Miss Farrar snapped.
And all he said was “woof”
On this day in 1665 Ye Bare & Ye Cubb became the first play performed in North America (at Acomac, VA.)
Grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish
On this day in 1498 Michelangelo was commissioned to carve the Pietà.
Forward three and a half in the tuck position
“What perhaps allowed me to hear past the surface of Cold Mountain was access to a piano-reduction score while the piece was still being written—a copy I discovered in a Dumpster near Higdon’s Philadelphia apartment, discarded only because it was misformatted.”
Invitation to the trance
“To mark the book’s publication, and to manifest the spirit of linguistic improvisation, Koestenbaum will perform piano miniatures (Scriabin, Chopin, Fauré, Milhaud, Poulenc) while incanting spontaneous Sprechstimme-style soliloquies.”
It’s a new world
On this day in 1718 French colonists in Louisiana established a settlement named for the Duc d’Orléans, which would later become the city of New Orleans.
Tweet charity
La Cieca is positively brimming with excitement to bring you an exclusive interview with @FakeNLebrecht, connoisseur of sick notes, writer of fiction and obituaries.
You stepped out of a dream
One of opera’s great “what ifs?” is what would young Erich Wolfgang Korngold have contributed to the repertoire had the likes of The Adventures of Robin Hood not beckoned him to Hollywood?
Junk science
On this day in 1853 the first potato chips were prepared by chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Shave and a haircut
It’s fun to wonder what might have happened if Rossini had never composed Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Would Giovanni Paisiello’s earlier adaptation of the work be a repertory favorite? Or would it have faded into obscurity with an occasional revival here and there?
Do you like movies about gladiators?
On this day in 1834 Mount Vesuvius erupted.
This is the end of the news
On this day in 1945 Noel Coward‘s revue Sigh No More premiered in London.
A beautiful vision
“She sounds the note of deep pathos in both action and song convincingly, and last night won the tribute of tears from many eyes.”
Sea-sound, like violins
Happy 81st birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker.