Blog

Opera Onscreen: Crying and Renée Fleming in Margaret (2011)
My favorite opera scene in film is perhaps the obscurest: Margaret (2011), when Anna Paquin and J. Smith-Cameron attend Les Contes d’Hoffmann starring Renée Fleming and Susan Graham. By the end of the Barcarolle, Paquin’s character has burst in tears and reconciled with her estranged mother.

An Interview With Sydney Mancasola
In 2019, soprano Sydney Mancasola earned a place in the operatic annals when she headlined the European premiere of Breaking the Waves. She recently spoke with me about that experience, Debussy’s enigmatic Mélisande, and the “thrilling” contemporary opera scene in the US.

Girl of the Golden Met Awards 2024
Congratulations to all the winners for triumphing in their highly competitive categories and to all the nominees for their extraordinary performances!

Opera Is Cool: Debunking Myths
Let’s face it: opera has gotten a bad rap. In reality, opera is one of the most glorious art forms in the world. Come debunk some myths with me! (Hint: it involves Beyoncé.)

An Interview With Erin Morley
Recently, internationally acclaimed coloratura soprano Erin Morley has been piling on triumph after triumph. Erin released her first solo album this April, the floral-themed Rose in Bloom. She kindly spoke to me about her album, feminizing roles, skydiving, and more.

Highlights of the Met’s 2024-25 Season
On February 23, the Met Opera announced their 2024-25 season. Notably for nitpicky me, I’m excited for almost everything. It was difficult to choose, but here are the five shows I’m most looking forward to.
