Breathing Curiosity
James Levine, born June 23, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A., is the conductor and pianist, especially noted for his work with the Metropolitan Opera (Met) of New York City. He was considered the preeminent American conductor of his generation.As a piano prodigy, Levine made his debut in 1953 with the Cincinnati Orchestra in Ohio. He… Continue reading Remembering James Levine *VI 23 1943
Mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias had a long, leading career in opera on the international scene. She was most often heard at the Metropolitan Opera, where she spent more than 40 years as part of its company. There, and elsewhere, she performed in many American and world premieres. Opera, Blood, and Tears presents The Life You Give:… Continue reading The Life You Give: Rosalind Elias *1931
The Metropolitan Opera opened on October 22 1883
Jessye Mae Norman - Sep 15, 1945
Tuesday, July 20Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s PagliacciStarring Tatiana Troyanos, Jean Kraft, Plácido Domingo, and Vern Shinall; Teresa Stratas, Plácido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, and Allan Monk, conducted by James Levine. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From April 5, 1978. Wednesday, July 21Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de PerlesStarring Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecień, and Nicolas Testé, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Production by Penny Woolcock. From… Continue reading The Metropolitan Opera has generously extended their opera streaming one more week…
Solamiya Krushelnytska, as Butterfly, c. 1904 Join us in listening to a performance of Madame Butterfly, from Puccini. Tonight, at 9pm EST. https://www.clubhouse.com/join/opera-blood-and-te/4EAFkcoL/PG2KWpGp
Pride Week (#67) Free HD streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. Monday, June 21Thomas Adès’s The Exterminating AngelStarring Audrey Luna, Amanda Echalaz, Sally Matthews, Sophie Bevan, Alice Coote, Christine Rice, Iestyn Davies, Joseph Kaiser, Frédéric Antoun, David… Continue reading This week’s opera streamings from the Metropolitan Opera
Shirley Verrett — the Intimate Black Callas, is a celebration of the unique Diva who was born ninety years ago today. Join a live conversation with her daughter, Francesca LoMonaco, and her nephew, Shaman Durek, as we share memories of one soul who transcended cultural barriers with her talent. https://www.clubhouse.com/join/opera-blood-and-te/IvadYlYj/myb0L0RO
Livingston Platt’s costume design for the ballet “The Dance in Place Congo” (1918), by Henry F. Gilbert (1868 – 1928) — Met Archives Ever since we have been traveling this globe, our exposure to the exotic or merely to the other (individual, culture, tradition, belief), has left us impressed, influenced, at least touched. Henry F.… Continue reading The Soul is unbound
Join me in an intimate conservation with her daughter and nephew, in celebration of her life as an opera singer of exceptional talent. May 31 2021, on Clubhouse
All performances at the MET begin streaming at 7:30 pm EST Tuesday, April 6Verdi’s RigolettoStarring Christiane Eda-Pierre, Isola Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Louis Quilico, and Ara Berberian, conducted by James Levine. Production by John Dexter. From December 15, 1981. Wednesday, April 7Tchaikovsky’s Eugene OneginStarring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova, Alexey Dolgov, Peter Mattei, and Štefan Kocán, conducted by… Continue reading This week at the Metropolitan Opera
Monday, March 29Bellini’s NormaStarring Sondra Radvanovsky, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja, and Matthew Rose, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. Production by Sir David McVicar. From October 7, 2017. Norma / 1931, Teatro alla Scala, Milan Tuesday, March 30Strauss’s CapriccioStarring Renée Fleming, Sarah Connolly, Joseph Kaiser, Russell Braun, Morten Frank Larsen, and Peter Rose, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Production… Continue reading Metropolitan Opera Streamings — week 55
Friday, March 12Giordano’s FedoraStarring Mirella Freni, Ainhoa Arteta, Plácido Domingo, Dwayne Croft, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, conducted by Roberto Abbado. Production by Beppe De Tomasi. From April 26, 1997. Saturday, March 13Giordano’s Andrea ChénierStarring Maria Guleghina, Wendy White, Stephanie Blythe, Luciano Pavarotti, and Juan Pons, conducted by James Levine. Production by Nicolas Joël. From October 15, 1996. Sunday,… Continue reading Metropolitan Opera Streamings (upcoming)
Leontyne Price stood like a fortress, her hands in another intertwined, her voice streaming as strong, distinct, and colorful as bells from a cathedral telling time to believers and non-believers all the same. A clear sign of patience is hearing her phrasing and seeing her face expand. Think of the iconic three minutes following her… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Mary Violet Leontyne Price!!!
What happens to a newborn when touched, impressed, moved by the depth of music but without the release of tears? Where does the intensity land?
Sila Blume 