Lucia di Lammermoor Webcast from the Bayerische Staatsoper – February 8, 2015

Tune in to Staatsoper.TV on Sunday, February 1 8 to see the new Bayerische Staatsoper production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor starring Diana Damrau and Pavol Breslik. 

While we are waiting, check out the Staatsoper podcast (auf Deustch, natürlich), which contains some musical excerpts, including a bit of the mad scene (with glass harmonica!)

Updated 01/26/2015 per below note from Barbara. Thanks Barbara! 

Gratuitous Friday – More Miah (and Rolando) in L'Elisir

I have a lot to say about this production, but I will save a more lengthy discussion for another day. 

As a director, Rolando is a very good tenor, and of course Miah Persson is a game leading lady (and probably a better director). 

Rolando's s concept is cute; but he either needs to go further with the silent movie camp, or really reel it in (no pun intended). For my money, I'd like to see less mugging and more character. Meanwhile, Adina seems to be a good fit for Ms. Persson. So for now, let's just enjoy Miah and Rolando doing some lovely vocalizing. 

And with this clip, Miah Persson week comes to a close...or does it?

What do Victor Hugo and Arte LiveWeb Have in Common?

This summer you can see two Victor Hugo-based operas at Arte LiveWeb:

Robert Carsen's production of Verdi's Rigoletto from the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

Guy Joosten's production of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia from La Monnaie

M. Hugo was such a cheerful fellow, n'est pas?

Gratuitous Friday – Beverly Sills is Queen Elizabeth I

So, I picked up a used DVD (very cheaply) of the 2006 PBS Great Performances Special: Beverly Sills: Made in America. She passed away in 2007, so this bio-overview is free of maudlin stuff that leaves you sad and wistful at the end. We watched it last night and fell in love with Bubbles all over again!

The good thing about this program is that it’s a great retrospective of her life and career, and there are many snippets of her recorded performances: from her earliest radio appearances to her final farewell recital. 

Expecting L'Elisir d'Bore – Got L'Elisir d’Like: Met in HD

Maybe it’s because I read all the lukewarm reviews of opening night and was prepared for the worst; maybe it’s because I was excited by finally getting to see my first Met in HD broadcast; or maybe it’s because it just wasn't all that bad.