Thursday, May 22, 2008

Shameless Plug for my Nephew

He turns 1 this Saturday...as you can see, he already rocks out...could a love of opera be far away? I can't seem to name the tune he likes...can anyone out there name it?

OperaNow! #47: Looney for Lully



Despite losing the first few minutes, we managed to put together a full show for you all.

This week we look at the return of Amistad...we revisit the glass ceiling faced by female composers...another follow-up with the nude retirees in Ballo in Maschera...Oliver's Corner...and Guess Who Died?

This week we were joined by Oliver Camacho, Ethan Watermeirer, and John Greenbaum.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

OperaNow! #46: The Gunn Report




This week we (once again) look at Gerard Mortier and his coming tenure with NYCO...Duke Ellington comes to the opera house...we do a point by point analysis of Nathan Gunn's appearance on The Colbert Report...Robots take over at the podium in Detroit...Canadian Opera goes street with a "Hip-Hopera"...Plus, "Guess Who Died" and "Oliver's Corner".

This week we are joined by Oliver Camacho and Timothy Myers

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Not Opera...But Hilarious

Here are two clips showing that even TV people lose it...so give Oliver a break!

Sue Simmons, a NYC anchor drops the F Bomb.



Old school Bill O'Reilly melting down...was taken down...so was the above but I managed to find one that was still up! That's the work I do for you, the audience!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Gunn vs. Colbert

In case any of you missed it...I thought he did ok...it's always hard to out-Colbert Colbert.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

OperaNow! #45: Muti Perversity in Chicago




Opera is women's work...Mozart is the great equalizer in Saudi Arabia...Magic Flute set at the subway...Does Woody Allen have what it takes to direct an opera?...Muti comes to Chicago...and as usual, Oliver's Corner.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Who Says You Have to Speak the Language?

From the master of double-talk...Sid Caesar. He said each language has its own music...

Great stuff!

Monday, April 28, 2008

OperaNow! #44: Escape From LA




This week Norman Lebrecht continues to take on the world of Wagner and National Socialism...Stuffy British critics keep productions at bay in London Town(e)...Oliver reports on Daughter of the Regiment at the movies...Are the opera-casts a financial success?...Kathleen Battle meets The Pope...Oliver's corner...Charlotte Church on the operatic comeback trail?

I also regale the audience with my adventures and eventual defeat at the hands of Hollywood.

Joining me this week is Oliver Camacho.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Video Apology

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Voicemail Back Up...

Same number as before...

(773) 273-7904

Monday, April 14, 2008

OperaNow! #43: The One Where OLIVER Loses It!



J-Flo and his marriage and foray into Verdi...Paulo Szot and his enchanted life on Broadway...opera for the young...like the poor need records...German Ballo in Maschera features old nudists and other crap hijinks...plus a special Oliver's Corner (could this be the end???)

This week I'm joined by Oliver Camacho.

I also feature a great interview with Camille Zamora of Sing for Hope, Anne-Carolyn Bird (another performer and fantastic blogger), Janice Mayer of Classical Action, and the great Frederica von Stade. These are two organizations that do great work. I highly recommend you learn more about them.

Also...Ethan does NOT have a drug problem...nor does he wax.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Beaker and James Coburn?? Together Again?

I love...