Table Of Contents: November 2012

THE SPECTACULAR NINA STEMME SINGS WAGNER THIS SEASON IN MILAN, PARIS, MUNICH, HOUSTON AND VIENNA

Vol. 77, No. 5

• Don't Call Her Diva: Chita Rivera
• The Transformation of Jennifer Lamore
• Keeper of the Flame: Toti Dal Monte
• How to Spot a Diva Role
• Sound Bites: Layla Claire
• Listener of Note: Camille Paglia
• Road Show: Eva Podleś in Barcelona

Features

Road Show: Ewa Podleś in Barcelona

The Polish diva reflects on the charms of the Catalonian capital. ERIC MYERS goes along for the ride.

Diva by Definition

What makes a prima donna want to sink her teeth into one role more than another? PATRICK DILLON ponders the question.

Change of Course

Subscribers Only

Jennifer Larmore, once pigeonholed as a bel canto specialist, is eagerly exploring new horizons, onstage and off. BRIAN KELLOW chats with the mezzo about her new life.

Woman of the Year

Subscribers Only

On the eve of Wagner’s 200^th birthday, the opera world is abuzz with one name — Nina Stemme. JESSICA DUCHEN catches up with the Swedish soprano, who feels increasingly at home in full-blown dramatic territory.

Still Flying After All These Years

Broadway has its goddesses, too, and there is no question that Chita Rivera belongs in the pantheon. The perennial star dishes with SCOTT BARNES about the Great White Way, then and now — and why she doesn’t consider herself a diva.

Lyric Soul

Subscribers Only

Before Callas, there was Toti Dal Monte, a genuine singing actress who reclaimed the bel canto repertoire from the “canary-fanciers.” IRA SIFF explores the great soprano’s unique career.

Departments

Recordings

In Review

Books

A study of Mozart's late career; the struggles of "the black Patti," Sissieretta Jones.

Dateline

by TRISTAN KRAFT

A New Medium

Online Exclusive

BRIAN KELLOW chats with Varla Jean Merman (aka Jeffery Roberson) as the incomparable nightclub performer prepares to sing Madame Flora in The Medium at NYC's Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater.

Viewpoint: On Her Toes

by F. PAUL DRISCOLL

OperaWatch

Subscribers Only

by OUSSAMA ZAHR

On the Beat

Will Jessie Mueller enter Broadway’s star chamber? Indra Thomas turns her talents to Great Day!, a CD of spirituals.
by BRIAN KELLOW

Essentials

Subscribers Only

by BRIAN KELLOW, TRISTAN KRAFT

Sound Bites: Layla Claire

by F. PAUL DRISCOLL

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD Broadcast: The Tempest

Transmission of Saturday, November 10, 2012, 12:55 P.M.

Obituaries

Critic Donal Henahan; sopranos Laura Beth Botkin and Marguerite Piazza; arts advocate Martin E. Segal; intendant Ulrike Hessler; contralto Florence Kopleff; admired mezzo Nan Merriman.