The Metropolitan Opera: Classified

Season press release disappears from Metropolitan Opera site.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Young detectives meet up with the feared bandit Ramirrez, somewhere in California.
Original art by Harry Kane, from Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators in
The Mystery of the Moaning Cave, © 1968 Random House Books/the artist. 

As the 2012-13 season approaches, the Metropolitan Opera is notoriously stingy with information.

First, the opera company cancelled its traditional press luncheon, opting for a brusque press release. Then, that self-same press release announcing the 2012-2013 season has apparently disappeared from the company's website. Click that link above: you'll get a blank page.

Luckily our good friends at Parterre Box were smart enough to post a copy of the season announcement. It is here for your perusal and enjoyment.

Here at Superconductor, our hardworking staff of ten (fingers) is putting together this year's Metropolitan Opera Preview, complete with recording recommendations, snarky comments about new productions, and even nice boldface type. With 28 operas on tap, this is the biggest writing job of the year, but it's worth it to keep you opera lovers informed on what's worth seeing at the Met.

Karita Mattila Drops the Ball

The Finnish diva cancels Verdi.
by Paul Pelkonen

Before TV and the Internet, this is what we'd sit around and watch when there was no opera.
Wood-burning stove courtesy of Fireplace Village.  

In the sport of baseball, the "hot stove league" is used to describe the sport's off-season, when fans would gather around said heating device in the depths of winter to discuss the personnel changes made by their favorite teams. Now, as the Met opera's off-season is from mid-May to late September (making stoves impractical) maybe we need a new phrase? "Dormant air conditioner?"

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-2012 has been closed for five days now, and roster changes are already being made, affecting next season's slate of Verdi productions. According to a report on Parterre Box, Finnish soprano Karita Mattila has announced her withdrawal from the company's upcoming David Alden production of Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera. Ms. Mattila was scheduled to sing Amelia, the love interest of King Gustavo of Sweden (Marcélo Àlvarez).