Grail mix
Contemporary stagings of Parsifal tend to be spare, abstract affairs scrubbed of religious associations, knights in armor and, sometimes, a grail.
Recent Stories
“And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to?”
“This is wrong, wrong, wrong and a betrayal of the spirit of ENO’s Founding Fathers.”
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).
Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita
Happy 80th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto!
Lupa always liked you best
On this day in 753 BC, according to tradition, Romulus and Remus founded Rome.
Halfy birthday
Friend of the box Andrew Whitfield (not pictured) is celebrating his birthday by slashing prices in half on everything in the Opera Depot catalog for the rest of the week.
He writes the songs
Klaus Florian Vogt is a singer oft discussed at parterre pox, but few have had the opportunity to hear him, especially those in the USA.
Fog and filthy air
On this day in 1611: the first documented performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth at the Globe Theatre.
“Need I say more?”
Miss Jessye Norman (not pictured!) grants what can only be described as the definitively definitive Diva Interview.
Exactly what it says on the tin
On this day in 1927 Mae West was sentenced to ten days in jail for obscenity for her play Sex.
Tired business, man
On this day in 1955 the legendary flop musical Ankles Aweigh opened at the Mark Hellinger Theater.
The grandeur that was Rome
Some thoughts about the perishability of opera productions follow.
The singing fool
On this day in 1912, Al Jolson‘s recording of “Ragging the Baby to Sleep” was released.
Time and again I would try to say
Our own publisher and New York Observer scribe Julie Jordan James Jorden plays pundit again for WQXR’s “Conducting Business.”
Make someone happy
On this day in 1959 A Party with Comden and Green opened at the John Golden Theater.
Une étoile est née
Born on this day in 1684 Catherine I of Russia.
Henry, sweet Henry
Although she began her career nearly 25 years ago recording and performing lots of baroque music, I was surprised to see German soprano Dorothea Röschmann promoted as the star attraction of an all-Purcell concert Sunday at Carnegie Hall.
Spitfire
On this day in 1960 Bye Bye Birdie opened at the Martin Beck Theater, to run 607 performances.
Cid; vicious
In his first appearance on the stage of Paris’ Palais Garnier, Roberto Alagna, as the newly knighted Rodrigue, was confronted with a profound dilemma.
Bohemian
No surprises this week: back to normal with what is perhaps the world’s most favorite opera: Puccini’s La bohème.
there’s life in the old dame yet
On this day in 1957 the musical Shinbone Alley opened at Broadway Theater for a run of 49 performances.
Megalomania in mufti
Who needs sets and costumes anyway?
UnRaveled
Feel free to waltz or to discuss off-topic or general interest subjects, cher public.
One Grecian urn
So, in the Michigan Opera Theatre production of The Merry Widow, is Deborah Voigt channeling Joan Sutherland…