Look to the rainbow
“Even Peter Gelb’s critics concede that he has had a long run of finding pots of gold,” says The New York Times of the Metropolitan Opera‘s dire money troubles. “But is he running out of rainbows?”
Breaking
Tenue farfalla
“Soprano Aleksandra Kurzak will sing the role of Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, replacing Sonya Yoncheva, who has withdrawn from the run due to family reasons,” says the Met press office.
Left of Center
Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center, according to The New York Times
Entrance of the Willis
Rachel Willis-Sorensen is the winner of the 2025 Beverly Sills Award, per the Met press office
Dealt a bad hand
Brian Jadge will be replaced by Brandon Jovanovich in the upcoming revival of The Queen of Spades, announces the Met press office
Lyric Opera of Chicago 2025-26
Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2025-26 season, its first complete one under its new General Director, President & CEO John Mangum.
San Francisco Opera 2025-26
The San Francisco Opera announces its 2025-26 season.
Make it or Baek it
“Tenor SeokJong Baek will sing the role of Radamès in the January 4 and 7 performances of Verdi’s Aida, replacing Piotr Beczala, who has withdrawn due to illness.”
Urbi et Orbelian
One day after the announcement that General Director Michael Capasso is retiring, New York City Opera announces the “installation” of Music Director and Principal Conductor Constantine Orbelian as Executive Director.
I’m in the mood for adulation
The first clip of Pablo Larraín‘s Maria Callas biopic staring Angelina Jolie has been released
Russian seasons
Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov are splitting up
ARC de triomphe
Opera Philadelphia confirms reports that countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo will serve as its next General Director and President, taking the place of the dearly departing David Devan.
Fly me to the moon
Lisette Oropesa has announced she will sing Norma “in the future.”
“My little Welsh brain just went boom”
A Welsh opera singer has said the art must have more LGBTQ+ representation if it is to survive.
The comeback
David Daniels has just confided that he has this week received two singing engagement offers in Europe.
By La Cieca
Wrong side of the tracks
Renowned musical artist Jonas Kaufmann has returned to his first true love, recording dated kitsch.
ANGELA GHEORGHIU HAS COLLAPSED
The charismatic soprano has just canceled tomorrow afternoon’s performance of Tosca at the Met.
O, swear not by the matinee!
Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!
O, swear not by the moon
“For this evening’s performance of Norma (March 22, 2023), Norma will now be sung by Helena Dix, replacing Sonya Yoncheva.”
If it makes you happy
Protean Anna Netrebko has booked her first performances of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda .
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023-2024 season announcment
Six contemporary operas, including four Metropolitan premieres, headline the company’s upcoming season, which was announced today at noon.
Can you prove that it didn’t happen?
Coming soon: an opera adaptation of the cult film Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Rachvelishvili recedes!
Mezzo Anita Rachvelishvili has canceled all her remaining Met performances of Aida due to illness.
“She is a fighter”
On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Grace Bumbry suffered an acute ischemic stroke. The renowned American opera star is currently hospitalized and in recovery in Queens, New York.
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!
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).
