Fascinating chiaroscuro Fascinating chiaroscuro

On this day in 1984, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini.

Fancy pants Fancy pants

On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Octavian.

Valse impériale Valse impériale

Born on this day in 1931 soprano Mady Mesplé.

Sworded lives Sworded lives

On this day in 1969 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Verdi’s Il trovatore.

Loony Kazan Loony Kazan

On this day in 2010 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Shostakovich’s The Nose.

Nymph errant Nymph errant

On this day in 1922 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company debut of Catalani’s Loreley.

That’s what friends are for That’s what friends are for

On this day in 1970 mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne made her Metropolitan Opera debut in a new production of Norma.

Renegade princess Renegade princess

On this day in 1936, mezzo-soprano Bruna Castagna made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amneris.

Here comes the sun Here comes the sun

On this day in 1945 the Metropolitan Opera revived Rimsky-Korsakov’s Le Coq d’Or.

Valley of the doll Valley of the doll

On this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppelia (on a double bill with Werther!)

“A not unnatural desire to display her versatility” “A not unnatural desire to display her versatility”

On this day in 1890 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Bellini’s Norma as “a benefit to supplement the earnings of Lilli Lehmann.”

In trousers In trousers

On this day in 1972 soprano Anja Silja made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Fidelio.

A four-star quartet A four-star quartet

On this day in 1976 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani.

A fine day A fine day

Happy 89th birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

Comme une impératrice Comme une impératrice

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

On a small scale On a small scale

On this day in 1926, the youthful soprano Marion Talley sang Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera.

Making the trivial triumphant Making the trivial triumphant

On this day in 1978, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La favorita.

A musical orgasm A musical orgasm

On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.

Hört der Mutter Schwur! Hört der Mutter Schwur!

On this day in 1967 the Marc Chagall production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte was unveiled at the Met, featuring the debut of soprano Lucia Popp as the Queen of the Night.

The old work of genius The old work of genius

On this day in 1918 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani featuring soprano Maria Barrientos.

Comedy tonight Comedy tonight

On this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment.

Skiff, I loved you Skiff, I loved you

On this day in 2015 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Rossini’s La donna del lago.

Let it bleed Let it bleed

On this day in 2013 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Wagner’s Parsifal.

One more verse One more verse

Happy 64th birthday soprano Renée Fleming!