The Associated Press has the first review of Rolando Villazón‘s return to the stage earlier today in a performance of Werther at the Vienna Staatsoper. Reporter George Jahn says the audience’s “huge expectations… were mostly – but not completely – met.” Apparently the tenor’s high B’s sometimes failed to soar over the Massenet orchestral climaxes, […]
Today, January 5, is the 91st anniversary of the birth of one of La Cieca’s particular heroes, Wieland Wagner, stage director and designer. Here is a scene from Wieland’s legendary production of Tristan und Isolde featuring Birgit Nilsson and Wolfgang Windgassen. In this clip, Wieland is seen in rehearsal for his 1965 production of Der […]
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).
Noel Coward offers a few observations on the standard operatic repertoire, assisted by Margaret Leighton.
And what might this opera be? Answer to our previous Regierätsel: Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice.
La Cieca has just been reminded of the intriguing news that Gotham Chamber Opera, in collaboration with The Morgan Library & Museum, will present a new production, Scenes of Gypsy Life (a cautionary tale featuring music of Janácek and Dvorák), on January 16 and 17. The program devised by GCO artistic director Neal Goren and […]
Just a little over 24 hours from now, Rolando Villazón is scheduled to return to the operatic stage following an absence of nearly six months. He is announced for a revival of Werther at the Vienna State Opera tomorrow night, January 5, beginning at 19.30 (1:30 EST). Followup plans for the tenor this month include […]
In fact, she became Peggy Lee.
Another poll, this time asking which events are the absolute must-sees here in New York this spring. Please note that on this poll you can choose more than one “must-see,” which is a good thing, because everything looks most tempting!
The diva hazard bonus: a special above-and-beyond payoff to those who have patiently put up with a colleague’s diva antics. La Cieca cannot find any official instance of this bonus in the world of opera, but surely it’s an incredible idea. … Kim Cattrall was such a diva to work with on the Sex and […]
La Dessay rehearses the “bathtub scene” from Manon. Sorry, folks, the video is no longer available for embedding at the request of the uploader, Parsifal1979. You can view it, however, on the YouTube site.
From the 1978 film of Götz Friedrich‘s production of Tannhäuser — alas, not currently available on DVD. Dame Gwyneth Jones is the lady asking the rather personal question.
At yesterday’s matinee Hansel and Gretel at the Met (broadcast and simulcast), a disgruntled audience member expresses his distaste for the “forest” setting, just as Lisette Oropesa makes her entrance as the Dew Fairy. Top marks to Ms. Oropesa not only for singing her solo so enchantingly, but for continuing without a flinch despite the […]
A number of the cher public have asked for more photos of hunkalicious Jonas Kaufmann, with a several of you specifially requesting a image without the tenor’s accustomed facial stubble. Well, one of La Cieca’s dear readers has obliged by sending a snapshot of Kaufmann before he stopped shaving, or possibly before he even started […]
Pint-sized Broadway dynamo Kristen Chenoweth will make her fully-staged role debut as Cunegonde in Candide at the English National Opera this summer. The Bernstein/Wilbur, Latouche, Parker, Hellman, Sondheim, Bernstein & Wheeler operetta will be performed in the Robert Carsen production previously seen at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris and La Scala, Milan. Performances begin June […]
Graefin Geschwitz meets Vera Charles
Jummy Jonas Kaufmann records his recital CD Romantic Arias, due for release in March.
“As implied by the title, this collection probes deeply into Wagner’s vast Ring…. Among the highlights is the revealing chapter on the many characters than Wagner has managed to cram into his Ring. Also covered are the brass instruments that Wagner designed specifically for use within his Ring.” The infelicitous title of this musiciological study […]
On New Year’s Day, WNET/Channel 13 will broadcast all six operas comprising the first season of Met HD simulcasts. As you stagger home from your year-end revels, you can tune in to The First Emperor at 5:00 AM, followed by I puritani at 8:00 and Il barbiere di Siviglia at 11:00. Following a nice long […]
Ageless Reri Grist sings “Somewhere” in a rehearsal for the 19th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, celebrated earlier this month. La Grist introduced this song 50 seasons ago when West Side Story premiered on Broadway. She is joined in this clip by Chita Rivera, Carol Lawrence and other members of the original company.
While we’re waiting for the restoration of Stephen Costello‘s ringing rendition of “O Holy Night,” La Cieca thought you might like to hear another great American tenor’s take on the classic carol.
The saga of the peripatetic New York City Opera continues. According to a story in today’s New York Times (another Saturday newsdump! Well, at least someone has figured out how the media works here in the city!) Anyway, according to this NYT story, Gérard Mortier is kicking around a few ideas for keeping the NYCO […]
UPDATE: The YouTube clip of Stephen Costello singing “O Holy Night” is no longer available. Given Stephen’s ubiquity on YouTube, though, surely it can’t be long before another performance of this song goes live, and La Cieca promises to link as soon as her veritable army of sources inform her. In the meantime, here’s another […]
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