“Nein, nein!”
In the comments section of this post, you are invited to offer your opinion on why Renée Fleming‘s broadcast performance (as heard tonight, October 13) strikes you as not a great portrayal of the Marschallin.
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Dawn of the Philistines
I’m not sure who I find more annoying – the partisans who vigorously defend Luc Bondy‘s production of Tosca at the Met or those who decry it. As Bondy’s production replaces one of the Met’s signature offerings, both groups have seized on this event as a watershed event in the history of opera in America […]
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
“Unfaithful lovers, sequined jumpsuits and giant silver dildos …. neon wigs and abundant confetti…. Filled with sexual innuendo, laughable levels of innocence and more than a few macho groin thrusts…” [Star Observer]
The clown with his pants falling down
Oh, La Cieca just hates herself when she get a detail wrong. It seems that languid wunderkind Rufus Wainwright will not be performing his hit aria “Les feux d’artifice” at the gala opening of the New York City Opera saluting noted teabagger David H. Koch. The air will be performed by an actual operatic soprano, […]
Not only a rose I give you
Good news for La Cieca’s competitive public! Tomorrow night during the Der Rosenkavalier chat (beginning at 7:15 pm), you all are invited to compete for recently released recordings of the beloved R. Strauss classic. After the jump, you’ll learn how it works.
Happy Birthday Luciano Pavarotti
The legendary singer was born October 12, 1935.
Blind drunk
Which blotto basso had a hell of a time in the first part of that French opera, stumbling, forgetting words, and even losing his voice temporarily? Fortunately, after an intermission featuring hot coffee, a cold shower and a stern tongue-lashing from management, he was reborn as the superb singing actor we all know and love […]
Zero-G Regie
La Cieca congratulates matto per la lirica for identifying our most recent Regie quiz: Offenbach’s L’Ile de Tulipatan — as performed at the Wiener Kammeroper, with Waut Koeken directing. And now for something completely different.
IV on HD
Four of the cher public caught yesterday’s HD presentation of Tosca and have agreed to share their impressions with La Cieca and the rest: “The death of Puccini’s Tosca was much exaggerated, in fact it did not take place.” “After about 34 years of going to the opera, I don’t think I’ve ever left a […]
Crossing swords
This is the best production of Siegfried ever!
What’s in store
Your doyenne modestly would like to introduce the lastest of her far-flung business empire, a mini-store at amazon.com called La Cieca’s Little Shop of Arias. She suggests you bookmark this site as a convenient one-stop location for all the latest opera CDs, DVDs and other regalia. As with the various other amazon advertising here on […]
Bearer of the Rose
The New York Times rolls out the red carpet for the Met’s revival of Der Rosenkavalier in a majorly major way today: chitchat with Renée Fleming, what Boris Goldovsky used to call “a musical and dramatic analysis,” plus, in what surely must be a first in media access, exclusive streaming content culled from yesterday’s dress […]
Gli enigmi sono tre
Actually, only a single riddle, cher public, but perhaps a baffling one.
“All’alba, Vicar! Oh!”
“Why on earth was an American singer (admittedly a good one, James Creswell) imported to undertake the minimal challenge of Timur? ENO must try harder to cast British.” [Telegraph]
European males talk among themselves
La Cieca sat in on the “Cognitive Theater” discussion tonight at the New York Public Library, and the main impression she came away with is that Patrice Chéreau is a very quiet, soft-spoken man who happens to be a genius. (She was expecting something more fiery, but like many of the great divas, it seems […]
Alagnas go pfft?
According to Opera Chic, the Alagnas will announce their plans to divorce tomorrow. (That is, they will make an announcement tomorrow; the actual proceedings are likely a little farther down the road.) You may remember that La Cieca hinted at this sad eventuality several months ago. [UPDATE: As noted in the comments below, Alagna is […]
A Tale of Two Guelfis
… and, by the way, an interesting contrast between a “great” conductor of today and a routinier from four decades ago. Carlo Guelfi (with Gatti) 2009 Giangiacomo Guelfi (with Rescigno) 1969
Seeking scribes
La Cieca is looking for members of the cher public who are planning to see either the HD of Tosca on Saturday or the Rosenkavalier prima on Tuesday, and who are willing to write a reaction/critique. Write to her at [email protected]. [UPDATE: Lots of volunteers for the HD, thanks! La Cieca still wants to hear […]
Everything’s coming up Rose
La Cieca has a review coming (slowly) of the new Decca DVD of Der Rosenkavalier, but while we’re waiting, here are some clips from the telecast upon which this release is based. Feel free to discuss while La Cieca continues to scribble.
Parallel Linas
According to a press release from the Met, “Sondra Radvanovsky and Julianna Di Giacomo will sing the role of Lina in Verdi’s Stiffelio, replacing Angela Marambio who has withdrawn. Sondra Radvanovsky sings the performances on January 11, 14, and 30 matinee, and Julianna Di Giacomo those on January 19, 23 and 26. Both will be […]
It’s never too late for a bitchslap
La Cieca thinks that Marcelo Àlvarez should be reminded that he is a tenor, and nobody is really interested in a tenor’s views on theology. And even if he doesn’t know better than to badmouth an ongoing production at a theater that presumably is (or anyway was) contemplating offering him future contracts — he is […]
Silenzio, giustizia, silenzio, mister!
The subject of the controversy: that most insidious and invasive attack on American culture since fluoridation or women’s suffrage, operatic stage direction. The conspirators: the ilk of Peter Gelb, Patrice Chéreau, Luc Bondy and Bartlett Sher, “instigated” by Paul Holdengräber. The meeting place: that hotbed of radical thought the New York Public Library (Fifth Avenue at […]
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).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
