Urbi et Orbelian 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.

Incapassotated Incapassotated

Michael Capasso, General Director of the enfeebled remains of New York City Opera, announces his retirement

What ever happened to her? What ever happened to her?

When the subject of New York City Opera comes up, you always hear the same query: “What happened to City Opera? Are they even performing these days??”

There are fascists at the bottom of our garden There are fascists at the bottom of our garden

It’s 1938. We know, even if the characters do not, how the story will end.

NYCO, yet again? NYCO, yet again?

New York City Opera (remember them?) have announced a program for spring 2021, with repertoire consistent with the company’s recent policy of equal-opportunity pandering.

NYCO 1943-2019 NYCO 1943-2019

It is with a heavy heart that La Cieca predicts the demise of New York City Opera.

The case of the vanishing opera The case of the vanishing opera

La Cieca has only just noticed that the time for the announced first presentation of the New York City’s Opera’s 2019-2020 season has come and gone.

Ringing in my queers Ringing in my queers

Stonewall threads some difficult needles with great success overall in this last installment of New York City Opera’s Pride Month Programming.

The queen is back The queen is back

Anna Caterina Antonacci headlines the New York City Opera’s 2019-2020 season with a one night only concert performance of Britten’s Gloriana.

Sugar daddy day care Sugar daddy day care

New York City Opera has announced the resignation of the chairman of its board, Roy G. Niederhoffer.

One night only, one night only, she’ll be the only one One night only, one night only, she’ll be the only one

“New York City Opera will present, in a rare New York appearance, beloved soprano Aprile Millo in concert.”

Whiskey tango foxtrot Whiskey tango foxtrot

I really cannot exaggerate the extent to which I truly did not know what was going on in New York City Opera’s production of Maria de Buenos Aires.

The unusual suspects The unusual suspects

Mad Scenes and Exit Arias:  The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America provides ample fodder for the legions of amateur opera sleuths seeking to confirm their theory of “Who Killed City Opera?”

Transience Transience

New York City Opera has announced a search for “a transgender singer with a treble voice” to create the role of a transgender character in the opera Stonewall.

Stonebroke? Stonebroke?

New York City Opera apparently plans to fund its commission of the opera Stonewall via Patreon.

The male gaze The male gaze

The third segment of New York City Opera’s gradually emerging 2018-2019 season will be Mascagni’s Isabeau.

If it ain’t ‘Brokeback’ If it ain’t ‘Brokeback’

Between staging, music, and material, it’s hard to decide what feels most broken about New York City Opera’s American premiere of Brokeback Mountain.

Kingly sex Kingly sex

As far as prewar Italian verismo goes, L’amore dei tre re is a supernova.

Unprotected Unprotected

Antonacci’s singing is remarkably beautiful for one who clearly doesn’t make that a top priority.

Okay by me in America Okay by me in America

Mariachi bands travel the world, make appearances in Hollywood, and moonlight on Linda Ronstadt albums.

Tales of the Bavarian baloney pony Tales of the Bavarian baloney pony

In November, everyone wanted to hear more about Jonas Kaufmann‘s Johnson.

Allowing the birds to nest in your hair Allowing the birds to nest in your hair

In the seventies and eighties Dominick Argento (who turned ninety this year) was one of the most oft-performed of American opera composers.

Murder, he composed Murder, he composed

Flashes of excitement and genuine pathos lit up City Opera’s production of Dolores Claiborne!

Not much gold, but plenty of rush Not much gold, but plenty of rush

Is this not Puccini’s greatest opera, his most human, least manipulative?