Q&A When did you start singing? Maybe at 5. Why did you start singing? I always loved to sing anywhere, anytime. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Gwen Verdon, Julie Andrews. Which singer do you most admire? It’s hard to choose... favourites are Janet Baker, Susan Graham, Richard Stilwell, Joyce DiDonato, Kiri Te Kanawa. What’s your … [Read more...] about Frederica von Stade answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Tyne Daly
Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
On Friday 21 November, the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s 80th Annual Luncheon presents Brava, Jessye! to salute Jessye Norman, who recently wrote about her life in a memoir titled Stand Up Straight and Sing! A perennial highlight of the opera season, the Luncheon will bring together a host of artists and other luminaries to honour the sumptuous-voiced soprano and her long and … [Read more...] about Brava, Jessye! Met Opera Guild’s 80th Luncheon salutes Jessye Norman
Meryl Streep to play Maria Callas in HBO’s film of McNally’s Master Class
Meryl Streep will play Maria Callas in a filmed version of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class. New York Post's Page Six reported that HBO would start filming in January of 2015. Mike Nichols - who directed Streep in Silkwood, Postcards from the Edge and Angels in America - will team up again with the Oscar-laden actress for this project. Chameleonic Streep has already … [Read more...] about Meryl Streep to play Maria Callas in HBO’s film of McNally’s Master Class
Sheila Nadler, one of Maria Callas’ Master Class students, talks about La Divina
As Tyne Daly brings her portrayl of Maria Callas to London, after the successful run on Broadway in Terrence McNally’s play, The Times spoke to one of the original Master Class students, a mezzo-soprano named Sheila Nadler. When people saw the play they said ‘Oh, that’s not Callas’. But McNally respects and loves her — that’s evident in the play.” Callas told Nadler to dress … [Read more...] about Sheila Nadler, one of Maria Callas’ Master Class students, talks about La Divina
Tyne Daly to play Maria Callas in the West End
Tyne Daly will reprise her Broadway role in Terrence McNally's Master Class when it arrives in London's West End. The Cagney & Lacey star will play opera singer Maria Callas in the play at the Vaudeville Theatre from 21 January. Stephen Wadsworth's production was a sell-out when it opened on Broadway earlier this year. The original 1995 version won the best play … [Read more...] about Tyne Daly to play Maria Callas in the West End
Broadway’s Master Class with Tyne Daly ends today
The extended run of Broadway' Master Class with Tyne Daly, ends its engagement tonight, September 4. The avalanche of rave reviews for Daly's virtuosic turn as Maria Callas meant that the Manhattan Theatre Club were able to extend its limited summer run, twice, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. It will have played 26 preview performances and 70 regular … [Read more...] about Broadway’s Master Class with Tyne Daly ends today
“Jackie – Celebrating Marilyn Horne” – Metropolitan Opera Luncheon 2011
The Metropolitan Opera Guild pays tribute to Marilyn Horne, on Monday, October 31. Stars and fans of opera will come together in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria for the Guild's 77th Annual Luncheon. "Jackie - Celebrating Marilyn Horne" will honour the incomparable achievements of one of the greatest singers of our time with tributes from her colleagues; live and … [Read more...] about “Jackie – Celebrating Marilyn Horne” – Metropolitan Opera Luncheon 2011
Will the real Maria Callas please stand up
Anthony Tommasini, critic for the New York Times, has some very interesting points to make about the real Maria Callas, and Terrence McNally's fictional one, currently to be see on Broadway interpreted by Tyne Daly. Here is a selection of his article (the link to the original is below): The first student, called Sophie, an eager young soprano (the endearing Alexandra Silber) … [Read more...] about Will the real Maria Callas please stand up
Critics round-up: Tyne Daly in ‘Master Class’ – “remarkable”
Tyne Daly plays that greatest of divas, Maria Calla, in Terrence McNalls Mast Class at New York's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Her much anticipated performance has been well received: Towering before us — and tower she does, though she is not particularly tall — the celebrated opera singer is undeniably, overwhelmingly there. And yet she’s not there at all. One of … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Tyne Daly in ‘Master Class’ – “remarkable”
Arthur Laurents, playwright and director, dies at 93
Arthur Laurents, the playwright, screenwriter and director who wrote and ultimately transformed two of Broadway’s landmark shows, Gypsy and West Side Story, and created one of Hollywood’s most well-known romances, The Way We Were, died yesterday in his home in Manhattan. He was 93. Laurents once described writers as “the chosen people” and said he was happiest when sitting … [Read more...] about Arthur Laurents, playwright and director, dies at 93