Speaking ill of the dead Speaking ill of the dead

Plácido Domingo’s conducting reduced the score’s urgency to the lethargy of a jellyfish.

Mario, tu qui?! Mario, tu qui?!

Najmiddin Mavlyanov will sing the role of Cavaradossi in the May 8 and 12 performances of Puccini’s Tosca.

Deuxième partie: “Ah, word ill urged…” Deuxième partie: “Ah, word ill urged…”

Andrea Shin will sing the role of Roméo in tonight’s performance of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, replacing Charles Castronovo, who is ill.

Quantum leap Quantum leap

Like Julius Caesar before her, Anna Netrebko can rightly proclaim “Veni vidi vici” about her decisive Roman victory at the Metropolitan Opera where she took on her first-ever Tosca.

Just catch our act at the Met! Just catch our act at the Met!

Perennial diva Liza Minnelli greets legendary Disney characters including Sheriff Woody Pride, Elsa and Snow White.

“Ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill!” “Ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill!”

Charles Castronovo will sing the role of Roméo in all performances of the Metropolitan Opera’s forthcoming production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.

I want magic I want magic

Why, only now, Cendrillon is having its premiere at the Met is a puzzling question.

Cabal me by your name Cabal me by your name

It’s fortunate that the Met’s production of Luisa Miller featured the incomparable Piotr Beczala in the role of Rodolfo.

Italian dressing Italian dressing

Lucia di Lammermoor, a bloody story of a young woman’s mental degeneracy amidst feuding families, remains Donizetti’s most popular exploration of the landscape and culture of Britain.

The help The help

As Despina in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Così fan tutte, Kelli O’Hara injects much needed vitality into an otherwise lethargic evening.

Suit yourself Suit yourself

La Cieca just received a package of pdf files the sender says is a copy of James Levine‘s lawsuit against the Met.

The mania event The mania event

Christine Goerke‘s puzzling high register has become an increasingly troubling aspect of her singing. One just never knew what was going to come out from one moment to the next.

Teen model Teen model

While she brought many exceptionally appealing qualities to her portrayal, Ermonela Jaho’s slender soprano often struggled to cope with Puccini’s demanding music.

Gilt trip Gilt trip

As a diehard completist I felt guilty as the Met’s scattered, campy revival of Semiramide lumbered toward its abrupt conclusion after nearly four hours.

Technical difficulties Technical difficulties

La bohéme returned to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera once again last night (does it ever leave?)

The advent of the Nézet-Séguin era: announcing the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-2019 season The advent of the Nézet-Séguin era: announcing the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-2019 season

Accelerating his arrival as Music Director by two seasons, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will take up the post in time for the start of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018–19 season, it was announced today.

Hemisemidemiramide Hemisemidemiramide

The problem with trying to revive Semiramide today is competing with the memory of the spectacular casting lavished upon the work during the golden age of the Volpe era.

Judges for yourself Judges for yourself

With the Met’s announcement of the 2018-2019 season approximately a week away, La Cieca thought we should review the always oracular and generally accurate Future Met Wiki.

Fifty shades of Grail Fifty shades of Grail

The Met’s magnificent revival which opened on Monday night with a superb cast under the mesmerizing leadership of Yannick Nézet-Séguin nearly converted me into a devoted Parsifal disciple.

Broadcast: Parsifal Broadcast: Parsifal

Tonight, cher public, time becomes space starting at 5:55 PM and 30 Lincoln Center Plaza.

Safe passage Safe passage

A Met HD cinema broadcast of Puccini’s Tosca on Saturday, 27 January, concluded the first run of a production marked by upheaval in the ten months between its announcement and its New Year’s Eve premiere.

The trouble with troubadours The trouble with troubadours

Anita Rachvelishvili and Quinn Kelsey towered over an otherwise pedestrian if still exciting Il Trovatore.

Placebo effect Placebo effect

Good singing and a dramatically potent (if conservative) production were an unbeatable combination in the Metropolitan Opera’s season premiere of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore. 

A midwinter day’s cast change A midwinter day’s cast change

Jennifer Rowley will sing the role of Leonora in all performances of Il Trovatore this season replacing Maria Agresta, who is ill.