We went to out first Met opera of the season last night. Turandot. I had never seen it in its entirety and never live so I was excited. It was also being broadcast on the Met’s Sirius Radio Channel. After passing ads in the lobby for special reward programs for people under 40, we took… [Read More]
The REAL Meaning of Fashion’s Night Out
On a recent tour of the Manhattan Gay leather bar scene I was introduced to the Handkerchief Code. Well I was introduced to a bunch of interesting and thought provoking stuff which will be the subject of later posts, but the Hanky Code is what I am going to discuss here. The Hanky Code, also… [Read More]
How Hollywood Films Are Killing Opera?!?
I very seldom do this but I find that I must speak out against a specific article. The NYT recently published an article entitled “How Hollywood Films Are Killing Opera.” The piece is ostensibly a review of a movie named Margaret, but in it the author makes some very grand and sweeping claims about movies… [Read More]
Prelude to Performance: The Making of an Opera Singer
Martina Arroyo I’ve attended many opera performances at the Metropolitan Opera and other venues in recent years. But I’d never reflected upon the many layers of work, expertise and skill that go into the productions I enjoy for a couple few hours (and then go home). How do talented opera singers even get to perform… [Read More]
How To Give Great Phone Sex: A Cautionary Tale
Earlier this year I sprained AND strained my shoulder and subluxated a rib while staying at my Mom’s in Northeastern Iowa. It took nearly eight weeks to completely recover. Here’s how it went down. My lovely and special young lady friend and I were having a very intense conversation on the phone super late… [Read More]
10 Sexting Autocorrects That Almost Cost Me My Sex Life
Sexting is an art form curse your loins! And I find it to be a wonderful way to spend countless insomniatic hours as opposed to producing something I might actually get paid for. And of course there IS a pay off. But as in all things in life, I find it best to approach it… [Read More]
In Celebration of Dark Knight Rises: 14 Unintentionally Homoerotic Batman Images
In honor of the opening of Dark Knight Rises, I am sharing some selections from my disturbingly extensive collection of Unintentionally Homoerotic Batman Images. Notice they wake up in bed together in the first panel… The above is… [Read More]
What’s Wrong With the Metropolitan Opera Online Survey?? A Lot.
Last week after finally obtaining a subscription to the Metropolitan Opera—and clearing up error after error (in call after draining call) —I received an email requesting I answer a survey from the Met. It warned me that it would take up to 20 minutes to complete. That’s a fairly long time for a survey, but… [Read More]
Why The Met Is Failing (And It Ain’t Just Artistic)
It’s no secret Peter Gelb and the Metropolitan Opera are trying to court a younger audience. Both its advertising campaigns as well as the Met’s Live in HD broadcasts are hoping to snare a wider and younger audience. I thought of this at the last opera I attended there, Macbeth, as I sat in a… [Read More]
Vocal Folds, Frilly Shirts and Hair Dryers: General Misconceptions About Opera (and Life) Growing Up with Opera Singers
1. The use of a hairdryer is a vital aesthetic and artistic statement. 2. Tosca, the story of a happy go lucky baron with a heart of gold and a user friendly SM/Leather fetish, ends after the second act. 3. Don Giovanni is a love story and somehow being dragged bodily to hell is a… [Read More]
