People don’t do such things
On this day in 1902 American actress Tallulah Bankhead was born.
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Notte d’orror!
On this day in 1809, it became illegal to wear masks at balls held within the City of Boston, as its citizens believed this practice was “detrimental to morals.”
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).
The showgirl must go on
Last night’s complete concert version of Die Csárdásfürstin from Dresden is viewable, after the jump.
Ah, con tal morbo ogni speranza è morta
Ludovic Tézier is continuing to recover from an illness.
Fighting vainly the old Anouilh
On this day in 1170, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II.
The brass menagerie
This week’s post is a bit of a departure for your Jungfer Marianne (pictured). It’s a New Year’s salute to all the broad and brassy dames, divas, and diseuses we have grown to love from the 1950s and 1960s. In a special collaboration with parterre.com, La Cieca, the grand doyenne of Parterre Box, and I […]
The doyenne’s lament
As we trudge into the final week of 2014, La Cieca can only echo her Doppelgängerin in the vintage cartoon above.
A door opens
On this day in 1895 the Lumière brothers held the first commercial film screening at Salon Indien du Grand Café, Paris.
You never seen a show like this before!
On this day in 1927 the musical play Show Boat opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway.
Moody’s blues
Last week, Moody’s Investor Services delivered yet another piece of yet another piece of bad news for the Metropolitan Opera.
My shining hour
On this day in 1898, Pierre and Marie Curie announced the isolation of radium.
“This is the effective part, where I turn and sell it with a look!”
“…the dialogue, not to mention the dancing, will offer a truly new showcase for Ms. Fleming’s abilities.”
Radio days
On this day in 1931, the Metropolitan Opera offered the first installment of its matinee radio broadcast series.
Milk punch
On this day in 1826, the Eggnog Riot began at the United States Military Academy.
Orange is the new spinto
Opera star Montserrat Caballé has reached a deal with the public prosecutor to receive a six-month prison sentence and a €240,000 fine for defrauding the Spanish tax office.
“I meant to do that”
What does rankle your doyenne is the “Special Freddie” awarded to Christine Goerke, whose response is, well, perhaps a trifle less than completely ingenuous.
Am I that easy to forget?
On this day in 1893 the opera Hänsel und Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck was first performed.
Extra! Extra! They’re drawing a red line around the biggest scoop of the decade!
America’s own Renée Fleming (“Eight-lane-highway broad!”- New York Times) is going to plant her own tree on Broadway in the spring of 2015.
Saxon violence
His shaved head in striking contrast to his dark beard and glinting eyes, the implacable Tartar conqueror glowers at us from the CD cover, while the uncropped photo of countertenor Xavier Sabata (above) is even more disturbing, featuring his raised fist and forearm tightly wrapped in a leather belt.
Unheard prayers
Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin gets serious for a moment, or rather for about an hour and a half, with a performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis led by Christian Thielemann.
Scandal
On this day 1894 the “Dreyfus Affair” began in France with Alfred Dreyfus’ wrongful conviction for treason.
Enter laughing
On this day in 1914, Tillie’s Punctured Romance, the first feature-length film comedy, was released.
Serious business
La Cieca (left) reminds her cher public that it is time once again for conversation about off-topic and general interest discussion on the very important and weighty subject of The Opera.