On This Day
“A magnificent creature”
On this day in 1994 the already legendary Mirella Freni brought her interpretation of Adriana Lecouvreur to the Metropolitan Opera.
A woman’s prerogative
On this day in 1946 Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer‘s musical St. Louis Woman opened at Martin Beck Theater.
Urteufelin
On this day in 2001, Violeta Urmana made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Kundry.
A step backwards into conventionality
On this day in 1981 the Metropolitan Opera telecast its new and unremarkable production of La traviata.
A fella with an umbrella
On this day in 1952 the film Singin’ in the Rain premiered at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.
Mounting dread
On this day in 1992 the Metropolitan Opera presented a [disastrous] new production of Elektra.
And when I die
Born on this day in 1910 soprano Magda Olivero.
À la russe
On this day in 1920 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company’s first performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
The girl next door
On this day in 1977 soprano Ileana Cotrubas made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
The Finnish line
On this day in 1990 soprano Karita Mattila made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Donna Elvira in a new production of Don Giovanni.
“Flute-like Santos-Dumont notes”
On this day in 1908 soprano Ellen Beach Yaw made her debut and only performance at the Metropolitan Opera as Lucia di Lammermoor.
Veil song
On this day in 1901 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Reyer’s Salammbô.
Valentine’s massacre
On this day in 1884 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first performance of Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots.
Demimondaine
On this day in 1993 Tiziana Fabbricini made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Violetta.
Spook music
On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented the world premiere of Marvin David Levy‘s Mourning Becomes Electra.
Dove sono i bei momenti
On this day in 1991 soprano Renée Fleming made her Metropolitan Opera stage debut as Countess Almaviva.
Helen is always willing
On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Die Ägyptische Helena.
Knocking on heaven’s door
On this day in 1959 soprano Martina Arroyo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Celestial Voice in Don Carlo.
Cistern act
On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera offered a matinee performance of Salome featuring Birgit Nilsson.
Master of monumentality
On this day in 1987 the Met raised the curtain on Franco Zeffirelli‘s production of Turandot.
Isle, follow my secret heart
On this day in 1993, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Ariadne auf Naxos.
“A graceful trifle”
On this day in 1928 the Metropolitan Opera presented the United States premiere of Puccini’s La rondine starring Lucrezia Bori and Beniamino GIgli.
Fascinating chiaroscuro
On this day in 1984, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
