Mon coeur s’est calmé!
On this day in 1881, Massenet’s Hérodiade premiered in Brussels.
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Mystery guests
Perhaps what was most exciting about last week at the Met was that there was nothing conventionally “special” going on.
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).
Son souvenir vivra parmi les âges
On this day in 218 BC, in the Battle of the Trebia of the Second Punic War, Hannibal’s Carthaginian forces defeated those of the Roman Republic.
Lost and found
Verdi must have gotten tired of tossing and turning by now and has gone back to resting in peace.
Let’s make it regal
Having heard a bit of the opening night broadcast and read some decidedly mixed reviews, I was totally unprepared for the remarkable performance of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena that I attended on December 15 at Chicago Lyric Opera.
Hot ticket
On this day in 1965, the first concert was presented in Houston’s Astrodome.
Uncharted
On this day in 1497 Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, the point where Bartolomeu Dias had previously turned back to Portugal.
Loud and proud
On this day in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association voted 13–0 to remove homosexuality from its official list of psychiatric disorders, the DSM-II.
Capitol gains
Clemency tends to get a bad rap these days, as polities demand swift action by leaders whose mandates to govern are violently threatened by “terrorists.”
The oldest rule in the book
Something a little out of the ordinary from Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin this week: David Del Tredici‘s Final Alice, featuring the “original cast.”
Irene Dalis 1925-2014
The American mezzo-soprano and impresario died today in San Jose after a long illness. She was 89.
No late seating
Your tardy doyenne (pictured) invites the cher public to make the most of what remains of this week to enjoy off-topic and general interest discussions.
On tour
On this day in 1823 Gioacchino Rossini arrived in London.
Daggers are a thane’s best friend
A Birnam Wood of Macbeths and Ladys has come traipsing through New York this year.
All our pomp of yesterday
On this day in 627, a Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeaeds Emperor Khosrau II’s Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh, in the Battle of Nineveh.
Moon and stars
One of the major complaints about the five year casting system (as well as the shared productions by different companies) is that operatic events are rarely surprises anymore.
Femme fatale
On this day in 1882, Victorien Sardou‘s Fedora premiered in Paris with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role.
It’s complicated
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is a problematic opera—or, rather, it is an opera that has, in the last century or so, become problematic.
One for the rodent
On this day 1955, Mighty Mouse Playhouse premiered on American television.
Revival meeting
For many in New York and around the world, if the name William Christie appears on a concert or opera program, it’s a must-attend.
Deeds of bygone days
On this day in 1842, Glinka’s opera Ruslan and Lyudmila premiered in St. Petersburg.
Puss perfect
Xavier Montsalvatge is best known in these parts for the songs of his “Antilles” period in the 1940s, the exquisite “Cinco Canciones Negras” and so on, making use of rhythms and melodies with a Caribbean flavor.