Posts Tagged ‘new york’

Nov. 10 2016

Opera Goes to the Movies, 1935-Style

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs, Movie Reviews | 4 Comments

It’s less and less common to see classical music represented in popular culture these days, especially in a positive sense, so imagine my delight when I recently saw that Turner Classic Movies was airing Love Me Forever, a 1935 film starring Metropolitan Opera soprano Grace Moore. I’m rather ashamed to admit I didn’t know Moore’s […]

Aug. 17 2016

Florence Foster Jenkins: A Diva Gets Her Due

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on Florence Foster Jenkins: A Diva Gets Her Due

I was about 20 the first time I heard a recording of Florence Foster Jenkins. A friend put it on at a dinner party where all of the attendees were singers, and everyone, myself included, laughed uproariously at Mrs. Jenkins’ intonation, pronunciation, and diction. Many derisive comments were made about her having merely been a […]

Jun. 07 2016

In Stitches

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | 1 Comment

Two years ago, I got into historical reenacting and docent work. I owned a lot of vintage clothing at the time – still do – but nothing remotely appropriate for Georgian or Regency events. I found a couple of gowns that will just barely pass muster for the latter period (they have zippers! Quel dommage!) […]

Oct. 24 2013

Gotta Scoot!

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on Gotta Scoot!

A few weeks ago, I subbed for Kati on a Sunday morning, and, feeling the need for some exercise after devouring a few too many fundraiser goodies, I decided to ride my bicycle to work. Kati often commutes by bike herself, as do Jonathan and Mark.  The ride in was very easy despite the darkness; […]

Mar. 22 2013

My turn to play groupie!

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on My turn to play groupie!

Judith recently had a wonderful fangirl moment with Emanuel Ax; now it’s my turn. For some years, I’ve been a devotee of Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s singing. Jim and I have seen him perform operatic roles, song cycles, and recitals, all brilliantly. I had the chance to interview “Dima” in 2002 when he was in town to […]

Oct. 15 2012

Wonderful Town, Indeed: Our Top 5 New York Recs

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | 4 Comments

When Jim and I go out of town, we often get away to it all rather than from it all. As such, New York is one of our favorite vacation spots. Here are our Top 5 NYC recs! 5. Take the subway or walk whenever possible. Both will afford you a wealth of people-watching opportunities! […]

Apr. 16 2012

Teju Cole’s Open City

By Judith Krummeck | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on Teju Cole’s Open City

The Nigerian writer, Teju Cole, who was born in the US, grew up in Nigeria, and now lives in Brooklyn, visited the MFA Reading Program at the University of Baltimore recently, and we had the great privilege of having him visit our International Writing Workshop beforehand.  He is also a photographer and an art historian […]

Apr. 06 2012

Une Voyageuse Fabuleux

By Dyana Neal | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on Une Voyageuse Fabuleux

    The Charles Theater is presenting The Metropolitan Opera’s live HD broadcast of Massenet’s Manon tomorrow & I’ll be on hand to greet audience members, hand out “swag”, & enjoy the show. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday, right? It gets better. Sara Stewart, a wonderful, talented woman who’s a member of […]

Apr. 01 2012

Breathing the same air

By Judith Krummeck | Posted in Host Blogs | 4 Comments

It was a first for me.  I have never before been to the opera when a singer gave an encore of an aria in the middle of the performance.  I guess it depends on the opera, and an opera buffa certainly lends itself to it more than, say, Wagner’s Ring Cycle!  Well, if you were […]

Feb. 27 2012

Flying with Twyla

By Judith Krummeck | Posted in Host Blogs | Comments Off on Flying with Twyla

Twyla Tharp – for a start, isn’t that a wonderful name to conjure with?  (Her parents clearly had a vivid imagination—her younger sister’s name is Twanette.)  I’ve known of Twyla Tharp’s work, peripherally, for years, and loosely associated her with Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor—that style and period of choreographers—but I had never seen […]

WBJC