Tarte a la Bernheimer
Another review (this one only 340 words) of War and Peace. Martin Bernheimer writing for the Financial Times:
Recent Stories
Legends of the fall
When a monumental 20th century masterpiece is revived at the Met, who better to review it than Anthony Tommasini? Today the Times published TT’s critique of War and Peace, a compact screed of exactly 799 words. And how, you may ask, were those words distributed? Well almost half the review (351 words) was given over […]
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 bells are ringing?
Purely a rumor at this point, but La Cieca hears that Erwin Schrott and Anna Netrebko are engaged. (To be married. To each other.) UPDATE: A reliable source informs La Cieca: “As far as I know they are very close friends but I have not heard anything about marriage.” So let’s wait and see.
Fan male
This video indicates some of the underlying reasons for the recent shocking increase in acts of violence against character tenors.
Zara Dolukhanova 1918-2007
The legendary mezzo-soprano of the Russian Soviet period, Zara Dolukhanova, died last week at the age of 89. Though she excelled in brilliant Rossini roles in the opera house, her greatest success was as a recitalist. Dolukhanova’s broad repertoire included music from arie antiche to Prokofiev and Stravinsky; unusually for Soviet-era singers, she often included […]
"We’re puttin’ on an op’ra tonight!"
Mae West goes mezzo-soprano for this scene from her 1935 vehicle Goin’ to Town.
Barenboim sings again!
Introducting a new guest critic, Giulia Grisi, who blogs regularly for “Il Corriere della Grisi.” La Scala’s 2007-8 opera season opened last night (December 7) with a new production of Tristan und Isolde. The Milanese theatre hadn’t presented Wagner’s masterpiece since 1978, when Carlos Kleiber‘s masterful interpretation became an instant classic, in spite of a […]
E Fedra sia!
La Cieca enthuses about her recent visit to the Lyric Opera of Chicago before introducing the third act of Adriana Lecouvreur starring Renata Scotto. Your doyenne’s favorite diva returns after the act for a rare live recording of an excerpt from one of her most celebrated roles. All this, plus Milton Host‘s wonted bemusement, on […]
Send in the clowns
That “Cate Blanchett” Traviata we were talking about earlier? Turns out there’s video of the dress rehearsal.
We have a winner!
The people have spoken, and they have chosen Winpal as the author of the wittiest Season Brochure. Congratulations to Winpal and all you cher public who participated!
Demi-filth?
Fiorenza Cedolins gets off to a bad start in this performance of Luisa Miller. La Cieca feels that if you’re going to sing like that, you really should avoid the Grayson Hall wig.
Dark year for NYCO?
UPDATE: La Cieca has just heard that the “dark season” is not a done deal just yet. The NYCO board meets next week to make that decision. (Given how late in the game this is, most likely the “decision” will be no more than a formality. But La Cieca will keep her ear to the […]
Regie, steady, go!
Which opera is this? And for bonus Cieca Bucks, which scene?
Who can that attractive girl be?
La Cieca would never have thought this would work. And yet…
Basta diva
La Cieca is sure she doesn’t wish ill on anyone, but Maria Guleghina‘s return to Norma tonight is turning filthy already.
Runners-up and their lilting melodies
Excellent lines from some of the many, many “Season Brochures” that didn’t make the final five. Soprano Montserrat Caballe stars as Jeanette, a virginal pony who for most of the opera is disguised as a mysterious duck. Montserrat Caballe is perhaps best known from TV’s Sex & The City where she sang the lilting melody […]
Brochuremania 2007: Vote for your favorite Season Brochure
Now is the time to restore La Cieca’s faith in the democratic process, cher public! The polls will remain open until midnight on Thursday, December 6. Remember, the winner receives a gift certificate from amazon.com. Which is your favorite Season Brochure? The 1924 Season for Parma Grand Opera by Julian The 1954 Season for Selma […]
"The Season Brochure" – you be the judge (part 5)
La Cieca was franky overwhelmed by both the volume and the quality of the “Season Brochure” contest entries, so she’s decided to ask you, her cher public, to help decide the winner. In this and four other posts, she will present five finalists. Later today, she will post a ballot so you, the cher public, […]
"The Season Brochure" – you be the judge (part 4)
La Cieca was franky overwhelmed by both the volume and the quality of the “Season Brochure” contest entries, so she’s decided to ask you, her cher public, to help decide the winner. In this and four other posts, she will present five finalists. Later today, she will post a ballot so you, the cher public, […]
"The Season Brochure" – you be the judge (part 3)
La Cieca was franky overwhelmed by both the volume and the quality of the “Season Brochure” contest entries, so she’s decided to ask you, her cher public, to help decide the winner. In this and four other posts, she will present five finalists. Later today, she will post a ballot so you, the cher public, […]
"The Season Brochure" – you be the judge (part 2)
La Cieca was franky overwhelmed by both the volume and the quality of the “Season Brochure” contest entries, so she’s decided to ask you, her cher public, to help decide the winner. In this and four other posts, she will present five finalists. Later today, she will post a ballot so you, the cher public, […]