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Vittorio Grigolo in the title role of the Met’s revival of Les Contes d’Hoffman is the opera version of the charming homeless drunk.
On this day in 1910, the first public radio broadcast took place: music from Cavalleria rusticana was sent out over the airwaves from the Metropolitan Opera House.
Which American opera diva’s next starring project will be an appearance as Florence Foster Jenkins in a film about that earlier American diva’s life and times?
It’s Corelli two ways and across nearly two decades in this dream double bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci.
The celebrated Russian mezzo-soprano has died. She was 75.
On this day in 475, Basiliscus became Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople.
On this day in 1055, Theodora was crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Take your time promenading, cher public, but please return in time to discuss off-topic and general interest subjects before the bell rings for the next act.
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.
La Cieca is sometimes asked what it is that a dramaturg does, or why it is that an opera house need a dramaturg
On this day in 49 BC Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war.
Krzysztof Warlikowski‘s controversial production of Don Giovanni at La Monnaie is now streaming online.
On this day in 2007, Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone.
Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin (not pictured) congratulates Countervail for the best attempt at identifying the “Brass Divas.”
On this day in 1735, the premiere performance of George Frideric Handel’s Ariodante was given at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
The San Francisco Opera has just done the big reveal for 2015-2016 and here’s what we have in store.
>”Ghastly!” — New York Observer
Talk of the Town
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.
The Talk of the Town
Sena Jurinac should have made it to the Met
Sena Jurinac should have made it to the Met
Sena Jurinac, a celebrated Mozart and Strauss singer here as the Composer, a signature role.
Sena Jurinac, a celebrated Mozart and Strauss singer here as the Composer, a signature role.
On this day in 1601, Robert, Earl of Essex, led a revolt in London against Queen Elizabeth.
It seems almost comical to think now but the designer-director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, who died in 1988, was at one time considered the height of regie-theatre scandal.
On this day in 1973 “Schoolhouse Rock” premiered on ABC-TV.
This week, we return to the 1970s with a very special performance of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda featuring the duelling queens of Beverly Sills and Pauline Tinsley.
On this day in 1649, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone premiered in Venice.
St. Paul’s Chapel is the perfect site for Saul, Handel’s finest dramatic oratorio.
On this day in 1865, the New York Stock Exchange opened its first permanent headquarters at 10-12 Broad near Wall Street in New York City.
Appearances to the contrary, La Cieca is not teasing when she invites the cher public (pictured) to enjoy discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.
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