Princess in denial
On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amneris.
Recent Stories
Repent for the time is at hand
Traditional Christianity has always used the threat of dying unabsolved and going to Hell as a tool to get us not only to accept Jesus but also obey the dictates of the Church. Last week in New York, two classical works touched on the theme of repentance and absolution.
Foco di gioia
On this day in 1887 Verdi‘s Otello premiered in Milan
Pique Dame
Aziz Shokhakimov conducts Asmik Grigorian, Brandon Jovanovich, Violeta Urmana, and Roman Burdenko in the premiere of Benedict Andrews‘s production from Munich
Pochi amici a lui simli sono
On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.
X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X
Kazem Abdullah conducts Will Liverman, Leah Hawkins, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Michael Sumuel, and Victor Ryan Robertson in a broadcast recorded this fall from New York
They hear that they listen
Born on this day in 1887 poet and expatriate Gertrude Stein
Guardian of the temple
And what a sonically fascinating and vibrant Atys it is!
Quelle belle vie!
Happy 87th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo
Simon Boccanegra
Lorenzo Viotti conducts a live opening night broadcast from Milan with Luca Salsi, Ain Anger, Roberto De Candia, Andrea Pellegrini, Eleonora Buratto and Charles Castronovo
Singing for herself and the boys in the band
Boston Symphony Orchestra recently confirmed an infinitely renewable contract upon Andris Nelsons, its music director since 2014. To understand why, one needed little more evidence than the outfit’s recent visit to Carnegie Hall.
Essa la poesia
Born on this day in 1922 soprano Renata Tebaldi
Illegal ‘Tenda’
A trio of live Bellini recordings featuring Mirella Freni, June Anderson, and Angela Meade in the title role
If I were a bell
On this day in 1974 Verdi‘s I Vespri Siciliani had its first Metropolitan Opera performance.
Roman eye
The newest Italian production of L’incoronazione di Poppea was a splendid example of how a 17th century opera can be performed in the best possible way today
For a girl from central Europe
On this day in 1957 soprano Martha Mödl made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Siegfried Brunnhilde.
That with music loud and long
The flashing eyes, the floating hair, and the inexplicable barefootnedness during the second half of Saturday night’s performance confirmed one thing: Kristine Opolais is back.
All Cretans great and small
On this day in 1781 the premiere of Mozart‘s Idomeneo in Munich
Lost meninas
On this day in 1916 Granados’s Goyescas premiered at the Met
Celebrating James Jorden on February 3
Members of cher public are reminded that the upcoming celebration of the life and legacy of parterre box founder James Jorden will be held one week from today (February 3) at 2 PM EST in Adler Hall at the Society for Ethical Culture in New York City.
But not Rose
parterre box is excited to present again Mike Richter’s collection of recordings of Rose Ader along with this biographical tribute in honor of a significant artist whose Jewish identity perhaps prevented her from achieving the renown she deserved
Carmen
Daniele Rustioni conducts Angel Blue, Aigul Akhmetshina, Piotr Beczala, and Kyle Ketelsen in a broadcast from the Met
Prodigious son
Born on this day in 1756 composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In pagine di Mortier
“The endowment is there certainly not to be raided, but to be used in a time of crisis rather than going out of business,” says Peter Gelb.