Wide-eyed mania Wide-eyed mania

There is a moment about 75% of the way through the Rome Narrative where you can almost literally hear Tannhäuser’s stomach turn.

Sexy package Sexy package

On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.

Miss Nilsson did all the right things Miss Nilsson did all the right things

On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.

Sleek, unstoppable, electrifying Sleek, unstoppable, electrifying

For me, Fedora is the perfect opera

The royal purple of sovereign glory The royal purple of sovereign glory

On this day in 1903, the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Verdi’s Ernani.

Everyone sang out Everyone sang out

On this day in 1961 the Metropolitan Opera presented the historic debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

Pearls of great Price Pearls of great Price

Anticipating Leontyne Price’s 96th birthday on February 10, Chris’s Cache presents the American diva in an epic collection of live performances.

Sharp divisions of opinion Sharp divisions of opinion

On this day in 1958 soprano Inge Borkh made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Salome.

A delightful one A delightful one

On this ray in 1932, soprano Göta Ljungberg made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

Wild bird Wild bird

On this day in 2017, Clémentine Margaine made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

Dazzling both ways Dazzling both ways

On this day in 1978 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Massenet’s Thaïs.

Pragmatism and ideology Pragmatism and ideology

It doesn’t get more classic than John Dexter‘s Dialogues des Carmélites.

‘Elisir’ not quite ‘rara qualita’ ‘Elisir’ not quite ‘rara qualita’

On paper, the Met’s revival of L’elisir d’amore looked like a lovely evening.  And at times it was—a few scenes hinted at what it could be and what it might yet become.

Rebranding the Met Rebranding the Met

A quick survey of the Met website shows wide swaths of available seats for the upcoming performances of La traviata and L’elisir d’amore.  Only new works like The Hours and Fire Shut Up in My Bones have been achieving sold-out houses.

Dad flawed Dad flawed

Du Yun is the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Angel’s Bone. Her new opera, In Our Daughter’s Eyes, a one-act monodrama for bass-baritone and an orchestra of six, opened the current tenth Prototype Festival, in a performance at the Baruch Performing Arts Center, starring erstwhile Met regular Nathan Gunn.

A jewel, despite the setting A jewel, despite the setting

The first time I heard of Ermonela Jaho it was as the ultimate understudy.  In the aughts it seemed that every time Angela Gheorghiu or Anna Netrebko or whoever canceled, Jaho was standing by.

Village people Village people

On this day in 1970 the Metropolitan Opera presented new productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.

Medea Medea

“Sondra Radvanovsky has an unconventional voice that is suited to unconventional characters and is best used in rangy, difficult music,” as heard on today’s Met broadcast.

“The greatest dream” “The greatest dream”

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

Uniquely and devastatingly honest Uniquely and devastatingly honest

On this day in 1981 the Metropolitan Opera broadcast the full three-act version of Berg’s Lulu starring Teresa Stratas.

Poison of interest Poison of interest

Following new productions of Tosca in 2017, Adriana Lecouvreur in 2018, and the Anna Netrebko-led Puccini orgy of 2019, New Year’s Eve at the Met has come to signify that verismo, as this school tends to be known, is still kicking.

Dance the night away Dance the night away

On this day in 2008 the Metropolitan Opera presented a gala new production of Puccini’s La rondine.

Bold intruders, leave this house this very instant! Bold intruders, leave this house this very instant!

On this day in 1951, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Così fan tutte directed by Alfred Lunt.

“Nadine Conner did everything right” “Nadine Conner did everything right”

On this day in 1952 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of La bohème directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.