Moshpitting at the Met April 27, 2008
Posted by Jeff in French, Opera, Theater.1 comment so far
From the Vienna Staatsoper production of Gaetano Donizetti’s La fille du régiment, Juan Diego Flórez sings “Pour me rapprocher de Marie”.
Happy Valentine’s Day, from Eleanor February 14, 2008
Posted by Jeff in French, Opera, Theater.1 comment so far
Eleanor Steber, that is, singing “Depuis le jour” from Gustave Charpentier’s Louise.
The (possibly apocryphal) story is that she recorded this for HMV because she was too hung over to sing the Mozart arias she had been hired to perform.
“Au fond du temple saint” February 4, 2008
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From the 1996 Met tribute to James Levine, tenor Roberto Alagna and baritone Bryn Terfel, conducted by Levine.
The sublime and the ridiculous January 7, 2008
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At the Vienna Opera Ball on February 15, 2007, a hilarious contrast between the alpha and omega of contemporary standards of beauty.
“Je veux vivre” January 6, 2008
Posted by Jeff in French, Netrebko and Villazón, Opera.2 comments
Anna Netrebko‘s latest triumph is her Juliette in Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, performed at the Met and broadcast this past December 14.
Here she is in the famous Act I waltz, from a March 2007 concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées:
The importance of having fun October 25, 2007
Posted by Jeff in French, Jacques Offenbach, Opera, Theater.add a comment Vodpod videos no longer available.
It’s never over when the fat people sing September 13, 2007
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Although I’d had advance warning of his passing, I hadn’t prepared anything for the blog in advance. So last week I just thought of the first thing I think of when I think of Luciano Pavarotti: the first role I ever saw him in.
Here are clips from works I never saw him in live:
Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland in their prime, singing the Act I duet, “Verranno a te sull’aure”, from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. From the 1972 Rudolf Bing Gala at the Metropolitan Opera; introduced by Risë Stevens.
My favorite duets: “Au fond du temple saint” August 16, 2007
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From the 1996 Met tribute to James Levine, tenor Roberto Alagna and baritone Bryn Terfel, conducted by Levine.
Régine Crespin, 1927-2007 July 6, 2007
Posted by Jeff in French, In memoriam, Jacques Offenbach, Opera, Régine Crespin, Theater.add a comment
Régine Crespin in one of her signature roles, the entrance aria of the title character in Jacques Offenbach’s La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein.
La Stupenda June 16, 2007
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Joan Sutherland performs the “Salut à la France” from Donizetti’s La fille du regiment. I’m guessing this is from the early 1970s:
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Opera of the week: La Fille du Regiment June 15, 2007
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Through the auspices of La Cieca at Parterre Box, we hear Beverly Sills‘s debut performance of the title role of Marie in Donizetti’s comic opera la Fille du Regiment, recorded February 13, 1970 at the American Opera Society in New York.
“Belle nuit, nuit d’amour …” March 26, 2007
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Since we’re in an Offenbach mood … not likely that Marilyn Horne ever sang Nicklausse on the stage, but since this may be my favorite number in my favorite opera, I’m glad we have this …
Orpheus goes Eurotrash March 25, 2007
Posted by Jeff in French, Jacques Offenbach, Opera, Theater.1 comment so far
From the 1997 Theatre de la Monnaie production, the Act I finale of Jacques Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld).
“Ah, que j’aime les militaires!” March 23, 2007
Posted by Jeff in French, Jacques Offenbach, Opera, Régine Crespin, Theater.add a comment
Régine Crespin, arguably the greatest French soprano since World War II, in one of her signature roles, the entrance aria of the title character in Jacques Offenbach’s La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein.
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