My name is Barbiere
James Conlon, Music Director for the LA Opera, often does the pre-game lecture in the huge open space on the second floor lobby of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and it’s almost always a standing room only crowd.
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Eternamente
“Go while the going is good. Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn,” sings Fran in Promises, Promises, the 1968 Hal David/Burt Bacharach musical which apparently Edita Gruberová has never seen.
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).
And then there were nuns
On this day in 1965 The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was released.
Partial view
Even if La Cieca can’t see you, cher public, she can hear you as you discuss off-topic and general interest subjects.
No better friend, no worse enemy
On this day in 86 B.C., Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army, entered Athens, removing the tyrant Aristion who was supported by troops of Mithridates VI of Pontus.
Scostatevi, profani!
Yet another new role for Anna Netrebko on the horizon: in a press conference yesterday in Mexico, the soprano announced she plans to sing Adriana Lecouvreur.
Don’t let it abide in my dreams
On this day in 1925, “Tea for Two” recorded by Marion Harris reached #1 on the Billboard chart.
The mighty Quinn
Baritone Quinn Kelsey has been named the recipient of the tenth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera.
A feeling deep in your soul
On this day in 1974 the first issue of People magazine went on sale.
Natural born Miller
Cast changes (already) for San Francisco Opera.
“Acting is acting”
Born on this day in 1920 actor Tony Randall.
From here to obscurity
On this day in 1950 Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca premiered on NBC.
Fresh princes
Imagine two tenors releasing French opera aria collections at the same time without duplicating a single track!
Orpheus ascending
On this day in 1607 L’Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi received its première performance.
The kindness of Previn
Renée Fleming is one of the most polarizing figures to be discussed here on an ongoing basis.
Font of all wisdom
This day in 1455 is the traditional anniversary date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.
Twenty years of pure hell!
“Speaking on Desert Island Discs, the German opera singer said that he and his colleagues felt as though they were in ‘straight-jackets,’ having to make diary commitments years in advance.”
In the realm of the cents
On this day in 1879 in Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opened the first of many “five and dime” stores.
And one for Mahler
Cheer up, cher public, and set yourself to the task of discussing off-topic and general interest subjects.
Lips together, teeth apart
Mr. Peabody, that Leonardo among canines, claimed she was suffering from toothache.
The world was listening
On this day in 1972 President Nixon arrived in the People’s Republic of China.
Cape fear
On this day in 1944 the “Batman and Robin” newspaper comic strip premiered.
“The cold bothered me, anyway”
“It was the chilliest opening night at the Met in years on Monday—barely 15 degrees when the curtain went up on the company premiere of La Donna del Lago.“