To be a poet is a condition To be a poet is a condition

Are today’s stars enough to sustain Andrea Chénier?

By November 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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I’m a stranger here myself I’m a stranger here myself

In 1982 I saw Turandot at the San Francisco Opera, the year after I became an opera fan, and it was my first live opera.

By May 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM
41 comments
A step backwards into conventionality A step backwards into conventionality

On this day in 1981 the Metropolitan Opera telecast its new and unremarkable production of La traviata.

By March 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM
46 comments
Hear the trumpets sound! Hear the trumpets sound!

Frankly I thought Sondra Radvanovsky had reached her pinnacle with her Norma but I was apparently mistaken. I’m happy to say her Turandot is completely next-level.

By March 11, 2023 at 8:00 AM
90 comments
Start the revolution without me Start the revolution without me

In Andrea Chenier an unexpected Canadian star-tenor relishes beheading alongside a far less well-known Italian diva: Jon Vickers and Ilva Ligabue.

By October 26, 2017 at 11:44 AM
18 comments