The winner takes it all The winner takes it all

Here’s a chance for you to win two tickets to hear the winners of this year’s Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the intimate ambiance of WQXR’s Greene Space.

on February 28, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Pay attention to the man behind the curtain Pay attention to the man behind the curtain

La Cieca hears that the Met’s 2013-2014 season announcement will be made at approximately 5:00 PM today on the company’s website.

on February 26, 2013 at 3:13 PM
It is what it is It is what it is

The above showed up on the Met’s website.

on February 25, 2013 at 12:59 PM
O fatal “Don” O fatal “Don”

The Met’s performance of Don Carlo Friday night was a tragedy, but not for the reason Verdi intended.

on February 25, 2013 at 12:51 AM
The Met in 2013-2014, a more copious leak The Met in 2013-2014, a more copious leak

Following up on last night’s information dump of the (overdue?) Met season announcement for 2013-2014, La Cieca has obtained a somewhat more detailed rundown.

on February 23, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Blood simple Blood simple

“One of the things I’m gradually learning as I’m coming up my the 20th anniversary of writing about opera for publication is that you have to be wary about making Pronouncements.”

on February 23, 2013 at 2:47 AM
Equal rites Equal rites

As with all good myths, certainly all the myths at the heart of Wagner’s operas, the juggling of symbols and archetypes and themes in Parsifal opens the piece to a great variety of interpretations.

on February 21, 2013 at 11:41 PM
One touch of venous One touch of venous

Like the hero of Parsifal, who finds the Holy Grail after a lifetime of frustrated wandering, the Met’s audience was finally rewarded for its patience.

on February 17, 2013 at 11:39 PM
Fools rush in Fools rush in

A member of the cher public writes La Cieca suggesting that parterre readers attending the first night of the Met’s Parsifal might want to meet and/or greet.

on February 13, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Big Daddy says “bullfighter” Big Daddy says “bullfighter”

“Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who determined in rehearsals that the role was no longer suitable for his voice.”

on February 08, 2013 at 2:46 PM
No dice No dice

The Met took a gamble on a new production of Rigoletto Monday night—but, dramatically at least, the show crapped out.

on January 29, 2013 at 11:33 PM
Jiggoletto Jiggoletto

The stage production of Rigoletto contains very brief partial nudity, which will not be shown in the Live in HD transmission of the opera.”

on January 29, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Everybody cut loose Everybody cut loose

You know, information wants to be free and all that.

on January 25, 2013 at 12:43 AM
The revolution will be televised The revolution will be televised

Ah, finally a light begins to break.

on January 23, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Pretty perfect Pretty perfect

In a winter rich with splashy debuts, Friday’s performance of Le Comte Ory introduced a 27-year-old South African charmer who may well be the Met’s next big star.

on January 21, 2013 at 12:15 AM
Sorry, right number Sorry, right number

Today marks the premiere of the Operavore radio show on WQXR.

on January 19, 2013 at 3:13 AM
Winged victory Winged victory

A wayward bouquet conked Kristine Opolais on her noggin during the ovation Friday night in La Rondine—but that was the only mishap in the Latvian soprano’s spectacular Met debut.

on January 13, 2013 at 11:08 PM
“He is more than a prince, he’s an ace!” “He is more than a prince, he’s an ace!”

Doubled and redoubled congratulations to Met press director Peter Clark, who tied for the Greater New York Bridge Association Flight B Player of the Year award.

on January 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM
I am missing the winter now I am missing the winter now

One quick way to warm up: Watching tenor heartthrob Roberto Alagna.

on January 03, 2013 at 11:48 PM
Vil cutlet Vil cutlet

True, Joyce DiDonato’s Mary spat out those fighting words in a tangy chest voice, but it was hard to believe she meant them.

on January 02, 2013 at 11:39 PM
Wigs and weaves Wigs and weaves

It’s easiest to write reviews when there are soaring triumphs and miserable failures.

on January 01, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Quand viendra l’instant des suprêmes adieux Quand viendra l’instant des suprêmes adieux

American tenor Bryan Hymel will make his Met debut, singing the role on December 26, December 29 matinee, January 1, and January 5 matinee (the date of the global HD transmission).

on December 22, 2012 at 10:45 AM
En proie à la maladie En proie à la maladie

Pretty Yende will make her Met debut as Countess Adèle in this season’s performances of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory.

on December 21, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Ribbed for your discomfort Ribbed for your discomfort

The Trojan Horse seemed like a great idea—that is, until it led to disaster.

on December 16, 2012 at 11:34 PM