Ah! je ris…
The classic Tintin tale Les Bijoux de la Castafiore has been adapted into an opera for presentation in September 2015 at at Hulpe Castle in Belgium.
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Fasten and furious
On this day in 1849 the safety pin was patented by Walter Hunt, who sold the right to his invention for $400.
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).
Hard to handle
On this day in 1928, the play Diamond Lil, written by and starring Mae West, opened at the Royale Theater in New York City.
Ultima voce del mio destino
Long rumored, here it is: Anna Netrebko sings “Suicidio!” from La Gioconda!
Sometimes just pretzels and beer
Our Own JJ crunches the numbers at the Met and LoftOpera in the New York Observer.
Namesake
On this day in 1876 Amilcare Ponchielli‘s opera La Gioconda [from which our doyenne derived her nom de plume] premiered in Milan.
Out of the frying pan
Met press office: Salvatore Cordella will sing Edgardo in this evening’s performance of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, replacing Joseph Calleja, who is ill.
The Rusticana at the end of the universe
Jonas Kaufmann in a wifebeater is but one of the attractions of the Salzburg Festival production of Cavalleria rusticana, a telecast of which you can peruse after the jump.
Fashion police
On this day in 397 the wearing of Barbarian clothing in the City of Rome was banned by the Emperor Honorius.
Tre sbirri… una guyliner
Two questions answered in a single YouTube video.
So I married an axe murderess
I think the sturdier of you will enjoy Nina Stemme’s Elektra from Saturday night at Wiener Staatsoper.
Transatlantic
For those of you who are following these things, Michael Fabiano is currently in London.
Take back your mink
On this day in 1808 John Jacob Astor incorporated the American Fur Company.
Pretty poison
It could get loud. It often does, especially when the soprano is mere inches from your ears, pleading with the duke for the life of the poor boy (parentage unknown) who insulted her notorious dynasty.
Keep watching the skies!
As you may have heard, cher public, Joseph Calleja canceled last night’s Lucia performance at the Met after the first act. So… well, see the headline above.
Sumptuous feast
Long-time parterre fave Catherine Malfitano takes the stage at Manhattan School of Music in a new role, Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, May 12-14.
Coffee break
Relax, enjoy a steaming cup of java and celebrate Sunday with a discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.
Beautiful girls
On this day in 1971 the musical Follies opened at Winter Garden Theater in New York for 524 performances.
This art our Master well did guard
Musicologist, translator and above all critic Andrew Porter has died.
A million hearts beat quicker there
On this day in 1930 The Broadway Melody was named “Outstanding Picture” at the second annual Academy Awards ceremony.
The dawn of time
On this day in 1968 Stanley Kubrick‘s film 2001: A Space Odyssey was released.
Egli s’avanza!
Michael Fabiano will make his Met role debut as Edgardo in this evening’s performance of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, replacing Joseph Calleja, who is ill. So says the Met press department, no fooling.
The woman in Greene
Susan Graham (pictured) and Piotr Beczala are the latest additions to the roster of “WQXR Presents Metropolitan Opera Spring Highlights,” at The Greene Space on Monday, April 6 at 7:00 PM.