Natalie Dessay crosses over with Michel Legrand. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/x7VyXKAvNV0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] This clip is one of a number of “Perle Nere” selections (including some classic filth) to be found on YouTube channel The Cucumber Masked. (For the record, your doyenne will state that she thinks the inclusion of Rolando Villazón material at this…

on May 07, 2009 at 1:06 PM

A crestfallen member of the cher public forwards to La Cieca this disheartening announcement from John Banta, Director of Special Events for the Met: Thank you for your interest in attending the Metropolitan Opera’s Sneak Peek of the New RING Production on Friday, May 8th at 3:15pm. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, we have…

on May 07, 2009 at 11:01 AM

La Cieca hears that John Relyea has been named the recipient of the fourth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. The bass was presented with the accolade in his dressing room last night before his performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola.

on May 07, 2009 at 8:06 AM

Gutsy Gary Lehman just jumped into the Met’s Walküre in mid-performance, subbing for an ailing Plácido Domingo. La Cieca’s spy on the scene reports that Domingo sang the line “Tief in des Busens Berge glimmt nur noch lichtlose Glut” and exited stage left. Adrianne Pieczonka then entered from right with her line “Schläfst du, Gast?”…

on May 05, 2009 at 8:10 PM

Earlier today, NYCO’s George Steel fired back in what is apparently escalating into a war of words with AGMA honcho Alan Gordon. In an email to “the [New York City] Opera family” obtained by parterre.com, Steel seeks “to address [AGMA’s] misleading statements” while reminding AGMA members that he and NYCO “remain committed for our part…

on May 05, 2009 at 7:58 PM

[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/5MXWXJTr9Uw” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] La Cieca understands that Francesca Zambello is very smart about things like myths and technology and conspicuous consumption and disempowered women. But would totallly kill her to get an independent queer eye to take a quick look at the clothes in her new Siegfried production? Is there any Heldentenor…

on May 05, 2009 at 2:33 PM

Don’t go saying George Steel‘s opera company is broke, you hear? 

on May 04, 2009 at 5:20 PM

Scott Cantrell has a brand new metaphor, and he’s not going to let it slip through his fingers. “Daniel Okulitch is hardly the libretto’s ‘scrawny little S.O.B.’ But, with a warmly oiled bass-baritone, he captures Joseph’s tenderness toward his mother as surely as his hostility and fear.” “Nathan Gunn is the cast’s standout, an Alec…

on May 04, 2009 at 12:46 PM

“Instead of pondering moral issues, the audience marvels that styrofoam can be made to look so much like granite.”  Our Own JJ reviews the Met’s Ring in the New York Post. For the convenience of the cher public, La Cieca will point out that the Post has a section for comments following the review.

on May 04, 2009 at 8:18 AM

Following is the schedule for the Sunday afternoon/evening listening/viewing marathon. Chat away in the comments section, cher public!

on May 03, 2009 at 11:30 AM
on May 03, 2009 at 11:25 AM

[kml_flashembed movie=”http://tr.youtube.com/v/VObRMs2QYMk” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

on May 03, 2009 at 1:17 AM

Cue up your MetPlayer for a 3:00 pm start for La sonnambula (Broadcast March 30, 1963). You are invited to discuss this performance in the comments section below.

on May 02, 2009 at 3:00 PM

Something to enjoy during the between Cav/Pag and the 3:00 pm kickoff time for Sonnambulathis afternoon. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ro6kC07cDn0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

on May 02, 2009 at 2:35 PM

Resilient soprano Christine Brewer has made a quick recovery from her knee injury, La Cieca hears. The soprano, missed so sorely this season in the Met’s Ring, will return to the stage tomorrow night for a performance of the Verdi Requiem with the Santa Fe Symphony. Ms. Brewer is jumping in (if that is the…

on May 01, 2009 at 10:34 PM

The Met’s season premiere of La Cenerentola. Discuss. Listen at 8:00 pm on Sirius or RealNetworks.

on May 01, 2009 at 7:25 PM

For those of you who care to continue the fracas, here’s more of Anna Netrebko‘s recent Violetta. Madamigella Valery? Vladimir Stoyanov is the Germont and Marco Armiliato conducts.

on May 01, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Opera Chic caught it first, but this video deserves to be seen again and again. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/PCn5osoQK_k” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

on May 01, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Cher public, here’s the schedule for group listening/viewing of the MetPlayer on Saturday and Sunday:

on May 01, 2009 at 1:12 PM

La Cieca has obtained a copy of the NYCO shop letter from AGMA: 

on April 30, 2009 at 3:09 PM

From a performance on April 26, Anna Netrebko does a few “traditional” things with Violetta’s first act scena. (Piotr Beczala later gets in on the fun as well.) Ah quel amor…

on April 29, 2009 at 3:49 PM

The American Guild of Musical Artists said in a memo to members that “given the changes that George Steel wants to make in our contract, members are advised that the possibility of a strike against New York City Opera is likely.” At issue is what AGMA characterizes as Steel’s intention to eliminate guarantees of work…

on April 29, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Now, cher public, you have the chance to vote which of your nominated performances will be included in the upcoming MetPlayer weekend listening (and viewing party). You may cast your ballot right after the jump.

on April 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Rolando Villazón “should be well enough to return to the stage by the end of the year” after having surgery “to remove a cyst on his larynx” according to his concert management. Among the engagements Villazón is expected to cancel are Werther in Vienna and Munich, Nemorino in Los Angeles and Paris, and a new…

on April 29, 2009 at 9:06 AM