Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly

Xian Zhang conducts Aleksandra Kurzak, Elizabeth DeShong, Matthew Polenzani, and Davide Luciano live from New York

The Lehmann tetralogy The Lehmann tetralogy

On this day in 1934 soprano Lotte Lehmann made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

Early onset dementia Early onset dementia

Nothing says “diva” like an insane recital program.

Vincitor de’ secoli Vincitor de’ secoli

Happy 89th birthday baritone Sherrill Milnes.

A woman scorned A woman scorned

Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Thomas Corneille’s Médée is a monument of the 17th century French baroque lyric tragedy.

Old masterpiece Old masterpiece

Born on this day in 1902 impresario and opera manager Rudolf Bing

Siam giunte, F.B. Pinkerton Siam giunte, F.B. Pinkerton

Before some important Madama Butterfly sopranos dominate the American scene in early 2024, Chris’s Cache offers live recordings of four vintage Cio-Cio-Sans, plus a brand new one: Renata Scotto; Galina Vishnevskaya, Anna Moffo, Gilda Cruz-Romo–and Sonya Yoncheva.

Queen Lear Queen Lear

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Evelyn Lear.

Seer and be seen Seer and be seen

On this day in 1955 contralto Marian Anderson made her historic Metropolitan Opera debut

Nabucco Nabucco

Daniele Callegari conducts Liudmyla Monastyrska, Maria Barakova, SeokJong Baek, George Gagnidze, Dmitry Belosselskiy in a broadcast from New York.

Make no Miss Stake Make no Miss Stake

Born on this day in 1412 martyr and saint Jeanne d’Arc. How many theatrical, cinematic, operatic interpretations of her life?

Voici l’opéra Voici l’opéra

On this day in 1875 the Palais Garnier was inaugurated in Paris 

Meine Sängerin, auf! Meine Sängerin, auf!

Born on this day in 1937 soprano/mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry.

Carmen Carmen

Daniele Rustioni conducts Angel Blue, Aigul Akhmetshina, Rafael Davila, and Kyle Ketelsen in the first broadcast of the Met’s new production

Star vehicles Star vehicles

This Carmen, in other words, was somewhat less radical than its initial image suggested.

A keen sense of audience effect A keen sense of audience effect

On this day in 1956 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated the 25th anniversary of soprano Lily Pons with a special Gala performance (Act 2 Rigoletto, Lucia Mad Scene and a concert). 

Egyptologie Egyptologie

On this day in 2015 soprano Marjorie Owens made her Metropolitan Opera debut (and only Met performance thus far) as Verdi‘s Aida.

A living force A living force

Happy New Year, Parterrians!

Don José…le connaissez-vous ? Don José…le connaissez-vous ?

Rafael Davila will sing the role of Don José in Bizet’s Carmen in tonight’s performance, replacing Piotr Beczala, who has withdrawn due to illness.”

Bat, two ways Bat, two ways

Uncork your bubbly for two consecutive Teutonic Fledermauses live from Vienna and Munich to celebrate the new year

When you’re gifted, then you’re gifted When you’re gifted, then you’re gifted

Born on this day in 1905 composer Jule Styne

Le Nozze di Figaro Le Nozze di Figaro

A historic performance from April 7, 1956 in celebration of the centenaries of Cesare Siepi and Victoria de los Angeles featuring Nadine Conner, Mildred Miller, and conductor Max Rudolf

Shrew on the other foot Shrew on the other foot

On this day in 1948 Cole Porter‘s Kiss Me Kate opened on Broadway

Nabucco Nabucco

Daniele Callegari yet again conducts Liudmyla Monastyrska, Maria Barakova, SeokJong Baek, George Gagnidze, Dmitry Belosselskiy in a broadcast from New York.