Jumping Off A Cliff
If Wellsung, Soho The Dog, Steve Smith and La Cieca are doing it, then so is Miss Mussel.
It’s the birth opera meme. Courtesy of the Met’s archives, you can find out what was playing on the day you were born.
For those born in summer, when the Met is shut, the rule seems to be to check out the Salzburger Festespiele. Or, you could follow Matthew’s lead, just this side of overshare, and go with date of conception instead.
So, 12th December 1978 was:
DON PASQUALE {84}
Don Pasquale…………Gabriel Bacquier
Norina………………Beverly Sills
Ernesto……………..Nicolai Gedda
Dr. Malatesta………..Häkan Hagegärd
Notary………………Nico Castel
Servant……………..Unknown
Conductor……………Nicola Rescigno
Those without blogs that feel compelled to participate may consider the comments their mini-blog for the day.
thepilatesbiz on 
Aforpeace on 
Yvonne on 
On the day I was born there was a matinée of a Rigoletto production:
Metropolitan Opera House
December 22, 1973 Matinee Broadcast
RIGOLETTO {523}
Giuseppe Verdi–Francesco Maria Piave
Rigoletto……………Matteo Manuguerra
Gilda……………….Colette Boky
Duke of Mantua……….Enrico Di Giuseppe
Maddalena……………Joann Grillo
Sparafucile………….Ezio Flagello
Monterone……………James Morris
Borsa……………….Douglas Ahlstedt
Marullo……………..Clifford Harvuot
Count Ceprano………..Richard Best
Countess Ceprano……..Betsy Norden
Giovanna…………….Carlotta Ordassy
Page………………..Shinja Kwak
Guard……………….Domenico Simeone
Conductor……………Serge Baudo
…but, above all, Les contes d’Hoffmann, the one with Dame Joan Sutherland!
Metropolitan Opera House
December 22, 1973
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN {127}
Hoffmann…………….John Alexander
Olympia……………..Joan Sutherland
Giulietta……………Joan Sutherland
Antonia……………..Joan Sutherland
Stella………………Joan Sutherland
Lindorf……………..Thomas Stewart
Coppélius……………Thomas Stewart
Dappertutto………….Thomas Stewart
Dr. Miracle………….Thomas Stewart
Nicklausse…………..Huguette Tourangeau
Muse………………..Huguette Tourangeau
Andrès………………Andrea Velis
Cochenille…………..Andrea Velis
Pitichinaccio………..Andrea Velis
Frantz………………Andrea Velis
Luther………………Edmond Karlsrud
Nathanael……………Charles Anthony
Hermann……………..Russell Christopher
Spalanzani…………..Nico Castel
Schlemil…………….Clifford Harvuot
Crespel……………..James Morris
Mother’s Voice……….Cynthia Munzer
Conductor……………Richard Bonynge
Re Countes: holy double casting Batman!
I don’t know the plot, so maybe that is necessary/common. At any rate, the Met sure got their money’s worth….unless of course singers charge doubling fees as well.
Tales of Hoffmann is one of those operas where double casting isn’t required but is considered something of a test for the soprano. It is traditional for the bass-baritone singing the 4 villains. The difficulty for a soprano is that all 4 roles are quite different in terms of their ranges and styles. Olympia is pure coloratura soprano, with a lot of fioratura and very high notes. Antonia is quite lyrical but also very high. Giulietta, on the other hand, lies lower in the voice and has even been sung by mezzos (Agnes Baltsa recorded it). Stella is a relatively small role. other sopranos who have sung all 4 roles include Beverly Sills, Anna Moffo, and Edita Gruberova. Anna Netrebko (as Miss Mussel can attest is either worshiped or vilified on Parterre Box) is adding the 4 heroines to her repertoire.
So Tales of Hoffman is to soprano as the decathalon is to track athletes. Good to know. Thanks for delurking and contributing to Miss Mussel’s opera education. Every little bit helps!