Master of monumentality
On this day in 1987 the Met raised the curtain on Franco Zeffirelli‘s production of Turandot.
Metropolitan Opera
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.
Touched by a fallen Angel
Angel Blue‘s refulgent, lush soprano blooms as Violetta’s vocal lines broaden and soar.
Fascinating chiaroscuro
On this day in 1984, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini.
Nymph errant
On this day in 1922 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company debut of Catalani’s Loreley.
Zero gravitas
On the train ride home I was thinking that I don’t want to see or hear Norma ever again.
A whiter shade of grail
It seems that François Girard has been watching a little too much Star Wars lately. His new production of Lohengrin, which opened at the Metropolitan Opera Sunday afternoon, reduced Wagner’s opera to a knockoff space opera, full of hackneyed sci-fi tropes and B-rated futurist apologue.
Making the trivial triumphant
On this day in 1978, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La favorita.
The old work of genius
On this day in 1918 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani featuring soprano Maria Barrientos.
Purcell takes the stage
On Saturday at Alice Tully Hall, Julliard 415, the school’s top-flight period-instrument ensemble, was joined by students from the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Juilliard Drama for a rare semi-staging of King Arthur.
Act two
Chris’s Cache sends Renata Scotto a valentine ahead of her 89th birthday next week with rare in-house recordings of eight (!) mid-career performances spanning 1971-1977.
A delicate but defined charm
On this day in 1937 soprano Bidu Sayão made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Manon.
No minor talent
On this day in 1982 the Metropolitan Opera revisited its controversial season-opener Norma.
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
On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.
Miss Nilsson did all the right things
On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.
Sleek, unstoppable, electrifying
For me, Fedora is the perfect opera
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
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
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
On this day in 1958 soprano Inge Borkh made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Salome.
A delightful one
On this ray in 1932, soprano Göta Ljungberg made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.
Wild bird
On this day in 2017, Clémentine Margaine made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.
Dazzling both ways
On this day in 1978 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Massenet’s Thaïs.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).