Zachary Woolfe asks the musical question, “Who is this Peter Gelb anyway?” [NY Observer]

on September 09, 2009 at 11:35 AM

This is crossover that stops just short of crossdressing.

on September 08, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Which “gay” cougar has been showering her tenor colleague with even more affection offstage than on? (And, no, despite the clues, there are no homosexuals anywhere in this item.)

on September 08, 2009 at 10:12 PM

Which operatic legend intends to breeze into New York later this month to assess the work of his successor?

on September 07, 2009 at 7:20 PM

Offhand, La Cieca would never have thought of Così fan tutte done as a telenovela, but honestly? She’s seen a lot worse. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/oQwtjYkKoz0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

on September 05, 2009 at 3:36 PM

Who but La Cieca’s idol and role model Liz Smith would have the wit (not to mention the balls) to compare Sarah Palin to Maria Callas, complete with quote from Sir Rudolf Bing, plus an offhand allusion to…

on September 04, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Ildebrando d’Arcangelo and Andrea Concetti get chummy in this scene from Don Giovanni. [via Barihunks] 

on September 04, 2009 at 2:36 PM

Our Own JJ (not pictured) nominates the can’t-miss operatic and vocal events of the autumn of 2009. [NYP]

on September 04, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Régine Crespin, whose “Very Best” you’ll want to possess; Joan Crawford, in the 1947 film noir Possessed.

on September 03, 2009 at 3:02 PM

All of you who said, “Oh, Kiri te Kanawa could never do Norma” are feeling pretty silly right now, aren’t you? Of course, La Cieca doesn’t mean the Bellini druidess, a role the Kiwi songbird never could have mastered even at the peak of her career, whenever that might have been. No, this Norma is…

on September 03, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Two things Dame Kiri te Kanawa doesn’t like to talk about: retirement and knickers. [The Australian]

on September 02, 2009 at 2:01 PM

The Met will distribute free tickets for their dress rehearsal of Tosca on Sunday, September 13 beginning at noon. La Cieca thinks you all understand how important it is that parterre.com scoop the world in reporting on this event, so she trust the cher public will do the right thing.  [NYT]

on September 02, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Which merry blonde is about to waltz her way into the sovrintendente’s office at a top Italian theater? Come on, all! Hey, you can guess this one — even without a degree from the oldest university in Europe!

on September 02, 2009 at 10:47 AM

An old clip, from 2005 in fact, but oddly prescient, perhaps. Who knew that Les vêpres siciliennes could sound so much like Verismo? Not the Greatest of E’s (Don’t thank La Cieca; this stunner was sent in by Our Own Kernita Makilla.)

on September 01, 2009 at 7:33 PM

Newly beardless Rufus Wainwright once more graced the annual “Last Song of Summer” concert to benefit Robert Wilson‘s Watermill Center last weekend.  (Rufus’s boyfriend Jorn Weisbrodt is the Creative Director of the Center.) Despite a “miraculous last minute change of venue to the Field House at The Ross School’s lower school campus on Butter Lane…

on September 01, 2009 at 11:31 AM

La Cieca figures if Adelaida Negri can make a comeback, so can your doyenne. 

on August 31, 2009 at 5:21 PM

History repeating, indeed — and rather recent history at that!

on August 26, 2009 at 11:47 AM

Following the jump, snippets of all the tracks on the new “Verismo” album, as performed by America’s Soprano. 

on August 25, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Column inches Column inches

La Cieca’s curiosity is always aroused when a journalist probes with really penetrating questions.

on August 25, 2009 at 8:31 AM

Now, La Cieca believes in turning a gimlet eye on everyone and everything, you know that. But even your doyenne finds this latest Zinta Lundborg screed, well, harsh is the only word. … the company’s funereal new logo is a black circle, which evokes thoughts of the deficit or even oblivion. Presenting four performances of…

on August 24, 2009 at 9:55 PM

Preseason puffery has commenced for the Met’s 2009 opening night production of Tosca, to star that noted brunette Karita Mattila. A release from the company’s press office today details the various ancillary events associated with the September 21 performance, including the first “Open House” of the season (i.e., the final dress rehearsal on September 17…

on August 24, 2009 at 2:57 PM

La Cieca wishes her cher public a joyous and safe St. Bartholomew’s Day. 

on August 24, 2009 at 1:09 PM

“Opera singer” Katherine Jenkins has been insured against getting swine flu. [Wales Online]

on August 23, 2009 at 2:12 AM

La Cieca is delighted to learn that “the New York City Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO, have reached agreement on a new collective bargaining contract, helping to ensure City Opera’s continuing place in the forefront of American opera,” according to a press release from the NYCO. Since Alan Gordon and George…

on August 21, 2009 at 12:27 PM