The way I see it, there are bad ideas, like the revival of 1980s style for men or the U.S. defaulting on its debt ceiling. Then there are geniunely horrific delusions that should not even be mentioned in public, the kind of stuff you read in the comments section of breitbart.com. Today in Bloomberg’s coverage…

By on July 01, 2011 at 11:35 AM

When George Steel predicted that the New York City Opera’s budget for 2011-12 would be “significantly smaller” than the $22 million alloted for 2010-11, he wasn’t kidding. The gulp-inducing details follow the jump.  

By on June 02, 2011 at 7:09 PM
68 comments

AGMA today filed unfair labor practice charges against the New York City Opera, alleging a pattern of illegal bad faith bargaining. According to a press release from the union, they will soon also seek an injunction in an effort to prevent City Opera from effectuating its announced intention to move out of Lincoln Center.

By on May 26, 2011 at 4:32 PM
27 comments

Opera companies get the marketing departments they deserve, apparently.

By on April 27, 2011 at 7:25 PM
14 comments

“First witches, now ghosts. But while Broadway’s Wicked proved golden for Stephen Schwartz, his Séance on a Wet Afternoon came up lifeless and damp Tuesday night at its City Opera premiere.” [New York Post] (Photo: Carol Rosegg)

By on April 20, 2011 at 1:36 PM
32 comments

Three weeks before its orchestra contract expires, and more than a month overdue to announce its 2011-2012 season, the New York City Opera’s honchos have decides this is a good time to “ponder” the future of the company, give the whole organization a “top-to-bottom review” and maybe change venues, or, then again, maybe not. None…

By on April 07, 2011 at 11:11 PM
60 comments

La Cieca’s spies tell her that the New York City Opera plans an extremely ambitious season for 2011-2012, with vast expansions of repertory and number of performances.

By on April 01, 2011 at 8:36 AM
70 comments

So, any guesses who’s funding the Tea Party Astroturfing campaign backing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker‘s proposal to strip state workers of collective bargaining rights? La Cieca urges all you opera fans to keep in mind the image of the National Guard called on striking teachers when you are enjoying the ambiance of the Auditorium Formerly…

By on February 19, 2011 at 6:11 PM

La Cieca is told that Rufus Wainwright announced tonight from the stage of Carnegie Hall (not pictured) that his maiden oeuvre Prima Donna will be performed by the New York City Opera in 2012. (Photo: Clive Barda)

By on December 07, 2010 at 12:01 AM
158 comments

“Following up on its brassy season opener, Bernstein’s A Quiet Place, New York City Opera is charming audiences with Intermezzo, a comedy inspired by a real-life episode in the life of the opera’s composer, Richard Strauss.”  [New York Post]

By on November 09, 2010 at 9:58 AM
6 comments

In layman’s terms: they have lost their fucking minds. Larger image here.

By on October 29, 2010 at 1:34 PM
5 comments

After enjoying the New York City Opera’s current production of A Quiet Place, why not treat yourself to one of the company’s signature cocktails before the long drive home? [Wall Street Journal]

By on October 29, 2010 at 9:51 AM
20 comments

“…incest, gay baiting, draft dodging and drunken driving… it’s hard not to giggle!” Our Own JJ reviews the NYCO’s premiere of A Quiet Place in the New York Post.

By on October 28, 2010 at 3:31 PM
46 comments

With the new opera season about to begin in The Venue Formerly Known as The New York State Theater, what better time to recall what else David H. Koch does with his spare billions, i.e., conniving to deprive Americans of affordable healthcare, as well as “to conflate crony capitalism with free enterprise, and free enterprise with…

By on October 26, 2010 at 12:43 PM
27 comments

“Thirty years after the action of Tahiti the young son, Junior, is now gay and possibly schizophrenic; his former lover is married to his younger sister, Dede. During his mother’s funeral Junior starts a striptease in front of his father, knocking into the coffin in the process…. This was neither the sound nor the subject…

By on October 23, 2010 at 11:39 PM
10 comments

The Board of Directors of New York City Opera has announced that Charles R. Wall was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board effective December 16, 2010. He succeeds Susan L. Baker, who will “step down” after seven years of “dedicated service.” 

By on September 16, 2010 at 4:24 PM
16 comments