In the almost four years since La Cieca pointed out Anthony Tommasini‘s curious penchant for “strapping,” the NYT scribe has been forced to reach, well, a bit farther back on the shelf for his modifiers. TT’s current pet adjective, as La Cieca is sure you all have noticed, is “earthy.” 

on June 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM

Meanwhile, in Zürich, Vesselina Kasarova stars in The Alessandra Marc Story. And in other “this diva/that diva” news, Tyne Daly is now doing a one-woman show on the life of Eileen Farrell.

on May 13, 2009 at 7:51 PM

Out Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, profiled in today’s NYT for his friendly arm-twisting tactics in support of New York’s bill to legalize same-sex marriage, is not only the brother of Rosie O’Donnell, but also the partner of John Banta, who has probably the most festive title of anyone who doesn’t work directly with Issac Mizrahi. Banta…

on May 12, 2009 at 8:22 AM

The New York Times, the Metropolitan Opera, and Comedy Central! Genius!

on April 20, 2009 at 1:24 PM

Remember a couple of weeks ago when La Cieca called that NYT story about a potential strike at the New York City Opera “the scariest Friday news dump ever?”  Well, she was wrong, wrong, wrong.  The winner and new bone-chilling champion of all Friday news dumps just sneaked into the Times online. (Those of you…

on April 17, 2009 at 10:27 PM

IMG Artists Chairman Barrett Wissman has pleaded guilty to securities fraud, according to today’s New York Times. Wissman purchased IMG Artists from IMG in 2003 for $7.5 million. IMG Artists’ list of international clients has included Itzhak Perlman, Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, James Galway, KODO, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang, Murray Perahia, Antonio…

on April 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM

New Kid on the Plaza Drammy writes: April 9, 2009. A traditional Otto Schenk production featuring Diana Damrau as Gilda and who cares but.. Frizza conducting, Viktoria Vizin as Maddalena, Calleja as the Duke, Frontali as Rigoletto, Aceto as Sparafucile. Stellar performances from the entire cast, excepting poor Mr Frontali. The set was phenomenal –…

on April 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Liza’s main man Paulo Szot has some interesting and rather bold (if La Cieca may say so) opinions about the character of Leporello in today’s New York Times: “Don Giovanni needs him for everything: butt sex, to give him food, to give him drink, to share his feelings with.” (The article, fetchingly entitled “The Great…

on April 05, 2009 at 2:39 AM

In what might be the scariest Friday news dump ever, the New York Times calls a job action by AGMA against the New York City Opera “likely.” [NYT]

on April 03, 2009 at 9:44 PM

Yes, La Cieca realizes it was all hashed out a week ago here in the blogosphere, but Daniel J. Wakin of the New York Times has finally got around to transcribing the New York City Opera’s press release about its new season. As you all know, the season opener will be Esther, starring Lauren Flanigan.…

on April 02, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Which opera company may find itself the target of criticism since they are requiring singers to fly to New York to audition for their new stage “director” — a big name who has never directed anything more complicated than a runway show?

on April 01, 2009 at 11:40 AM

La Cieca really, really doesn’t like to say this, but the truth seems to be staring us in the face, so here goes. We have seen the last of Rolando Villazón at the Met. Even though he’s announced as having canceled only the first two performances of Elisir, it’s pretty clear that he’s just not…

on March 26, 2009 at 5:40 PM

Tony Tommasini weighs in on the Met’s Sonnambula.

on March 03, 2009 at 6:29 PM

[La Cieca’s old, old, old friend Camille attended Montserrat Caballe‘s Valentine’s Day duo recital earlier this month. Her reactions — which she admits it took her some days to sort out in her mind — follow.] After some reflection and reviewing Caballe’s Orange Festival Norma, once again, I can merely pipe up with my opinion…

on February 26, 2009 at 5:48 PM

“Gypsy camp! Almost a dance outright! Sweaty musclemen! Rhythmically coordinated swings! Throbbing  … impetuous … distinctive … alluring … dusky … creamy … robust … restless … full of yearning … hard-edged!” [After Dark NYT]

on February 18, 2009 at 8:06 AM

In the words dear Renata Scotto once used in a master class when advising a young soprano not to gesture so much, “And look who is telling her this!”  Would you believe that La Cieca is actually having a gay old time reading Tony Tommasini‘s “Talk to the Newsroom” feature this week? Something about the…

on February 10, 2009 at 5:05 PM

La Cieca’s take on the Met’s new productions for 09-10: unless the Mary Zimmerman Armida turns into something very elaborate indeed, it looks like a return to the dreaded “empty box” syndrome of the 1990s. All the new productions are stripped down unit sets, even the Hoffmann. Not that there is anything fundamentally wrong with…

on February 10, 2009 at 12:51 PM

“Anthony Tommasini, the chief classical music critic of The New York Times, is answering questions from readers Feb. 9-13, 2009.  Questions may be e-mailed to [email protected].” [NYT]

on February 09, 2009 at 12:18 PM

Peter Gelb‘s million-dollar salary and the wit and wisdom of George Steel (“Things are tough”) are among the axes ground in Sunday’s Tony Tommasini think piece. [NYT]

on February 07, 2009 at 11:55 PM

Is it just La Cieca, or does someone at the New York Times have it in for Stephanie Blythe? Not the story by Anthony Tommasini, which is standard worshippy stuff — but the photos!

on January 30, 2009 at 10:52 PM

The operatives were busy over the midnight hours: “Act 3 was a mixed bag. The opening showed Villazon in much better form, with solid phrasing. The Mad Scene started out beautiful, Netrebko spinning out haunting legato. She was completely involved and engaged. Then she fell apart at the flute solo, sounding under supported and wavering…

on January 30, 2009 at 8:09 AM

Gerard “La Môme” Mortier told Le Monde yesterday that he has “no regrets” walking away from the New York City Opera. The wily Belgian impresario added, “But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall; and did it my way.”…

on January 22, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Before we start our daily Steelathon, La Cieca wants to ask you, cher public: which nickname should your doyenne use in future for the NYCO’s new honcho: “Two-Face” or “The Man of Steel?” Okay, so our first story of the day is an editorial in the New York Times welcoming, well, you know who to…

on January 19, 2009 at 12:04 AM

“All that is needed now is for Mr. Steel to get the company back onstage. Even a limited comeback season would be a triumph.” [NYT]

on January 16, 2009 at 10:09 PM