American gongster American gongster

Tantalizing tenor Michael Fabiano adds a new role to his repertoire barely five weeks from today.

Feel no pain Feel no pain

“The design of the Met’s new production [of Lucia di Lammermoor] by Simon Stone suggests a present-day American Rust Belt, an area once prosperous but now fallen into decline and neglect.”

Disjointed Disjointed

La Cieca hears that Anna Netrebko has cancelled her November performances of Nabucco in Vienna to schedule shoulder surgery.

Diane Zola departs Diane Zola departs

La Cieca has received a copy of a message, apparently from the Metropolitan Opera, announcing the departure of Diane Zola from the company.

Keep watching the skies Keep watching the skies

La Cieca hears that major news is coming from the Met regarding 2021.

Get well soon, Anna! Get well soon, Anna!

La Cieca and the gang down at parterre box offer best wishes for a speedy recovery to Anna Netrebko.

Anna, Yusif and the Escorial Anna, Yusif and the Escorial

This series of concerts offered role debuts (of a kind) for Anna Netrebko as Elisabetta and Yusif Eyvazov as Carlo.

Triple threat Triple threat

A report from a parterrian audience member indicates that Mariusz Kwiecien canceled Les Pêcheurs de Perles after the first part yet again at the Met tonight.

Paris mismatch Paris mismatch

La Cieca is almost certain that Diana Damrau will not appear at the Met this fall for La traviata.

La fanciulla del west side La fanciulla del west side

Jonas Kaufmann‘s acclaimed Dick will highlight the Met’s 2018-2019 season.

No fits, no fights, no feuds and no egos No fits, no fights, no feuds and no egos

The list of Anna Netrebko/Yannick Nézet-Séguin collaborations has expanded once again.

The once and future queen The once and future queen

In addition to her first Met Aida performances next season, forthcoming projects for the one and only Anna Netrebko just keep gushing out.

Nile, see you in my dreams Nile, see you in my dreams

A spokesman for Anna Netrebko informs parterre box that the diva is scheduled to sing Aïda at the Met during the 2018-2019 season.

Schwahnsinn! Schwahnsinn!

La Cieca has the whole thing for you to listen to, cher public, as recorded Sunday afternoon.

So near and yet so far So near and yet so far

Here’s an extended clip of what the recent concert tour by Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov sounded like.

Fine dell’opera Fine dell’opera

Gotham Chamber Opera is ceasing operations and will be closing.

Anna behind bars Anna behind bars

Anna Netrebko adds yet another veristic aria to her burgeoning repertoire: “L’altra notte in fondo al mare” from Boito’s Mefistofele.

Insieme, perduta, abbandonata Insieme, perduta, abbandonata

La Cieca hears that Anna Netrebko‘s forthcoming Verismo CD will include the complete Act Four of Manon Lescaut.

Step by step Step by step

Madeline Kahn‘s 1968 interpretation of “Glitter and Be Gay” has been widely disseminated.

21st century blues 21st century blues

Your doyenne peers into the future, or, to be more accurate, into the Future Met Wiki, to reveal the latest rumors on casting and repertoire.

Ultima voce del mio destino Ultima voce del mio destino

Long rumored, here it is: Anna Netrebko sings “Suicidio!” from La Gioconda!

Not pretty or safe or easy Not pretty or safe or easy

La Cieca hears that the Théâtre du Châtelet will continue its series of Stephen Sondheim productions with Passion, set to star Natalie Dessay (as Fosca, bien sûr!)

The seven percent solution The seven percent solution

You figured it out a fortnight ago, cher public.

Battle of Broadway Battle of Broadway

Fall 2015 is the target date for an as yet untitled one-woman show based on the life of Kathleen Battle, scheduled to star Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.