Archive | September 2014
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Opening Night Closed
What a lovely opening night it was! The second portion was wonderfully executed. All of the principal singers did their arias and ensembles to perfection and the final ensemble at the end of the opera was everything one could want for it to be. It’s been such a pleasure to live-blog/tweet this season’s opening night. […]
Opening Night: Intermission Post
The Met’s Figaro is going swimmingly. James Levine has maintained his signature adherence to the score. The orchestra playing is clean and clear. Ildar Abdrazakov is a wonderfully virile Figaro and Marlis Petersen’s playful voice perfectly pairs with Abdrazakov’s. Peter Mattei is a consistent pleasure to hear as the Count, and Amanda Majeski’s “Porgi Amor”, […]
Met Opening Night: Pre-Performance Post
The performance is about to start! We heard a series of relatively awkward interviews with Richard Eyre, Pretty Yende, Bryan Hymel, and Peter Gelb. We’ll speak to Anna Netrebko in a coming intermission. Celebrities in attendance: Christine Baranski Vera Wang Susannah Phillips Anna Netrebko Andrew Rannels Renee Fleming Let’s get this show on the road!
Met 2014-15 Season Predictions- Part 2
Part 2! The Merry Widow: I’m glad the Met has realized that cheerful operettas are the best choice for New Year’s Eve performances. Tony-winner Susan Stroman’s new production opens with Renee Fleming as Hanna and Broadway debutant and personal favorite Kelli O’Hara as Valencienne in a cast that also stars Nathan Gunn and Alek Shrader. […]
Met 2014-15 Season Predictions- Part 1
Opening night at the Met is one of my favorite days of the year. A new season connotes discovery, excitement, and a whole other slew of exciting performances to look forward to. Especially after the Met’s unusually long summer break, a new season brings back that sense of currency and anticipation to the opera community. […]
New York State of Mind: Ariadne auf Naxos and An American Tragedy at the Glimmerglass Festival
I’m always amused by the fact that Cooperstown, NY, a small, random, classically American town situated over four hours north of New York City, can support a world-renown summer opera festival as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame. Resting on Otsego Lake, the Glimmerglass Opera Festival provides a welcome escape for opera fans who […]
Opera Teen 
Opening Night at the Met: Everything you need to know
After cast changes, director changes, and a union crisis that almost toppled the season, it feels good to say(er, write), with certainty, that Opening Night at the Met is finally here! For those unaware, tonight’s performance is Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” in a new production by Richard Eyre with sets by Rob Howell. The […]