27 pieces since 2007 — in 7 roles, at 1 company, most often at Metropolitan Opera.
It used to be proverbial on the Met Opera Quiz, usually quoted by quiz master Edward Downes: “If you can’t remember where a certain plot event occurs … it happens in La Gioconda.”
It’s time to discuss Zinka Milanov.
On this day in 1946 the Metropolitan Opera presented La Gioconda on tour in Chicago.
As said at the beginning, I implied I’d rather see Don Carlo(s) and listen to Forza.
I’ve argued with myself for many years as to which was my favorite opera by Giuseppe Verdi, La forza del destino or Don Carlos. The latter finally won out especially after studying it in depth, but in the long run, it is the music of Forza that I love the most.
On this day in 1952, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of La forza del destino.
Quite simply, the singers are not around today who are steeped in the tradition of verismo, or for that matter the later part of the 19th century.
On this day in 1959 soprano Leonie Rysanek made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lady Macbeth.
A great man has passed and our consolation is that so much of his art has been preserved for us on recordings.
Suck it, Joseph Kerman: Puccini’s “Shabby Little Shocker” has outlived you and will probably bury us all.
Somewhere in all of this, I decided it was time to try Callas.
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