Catherine Kustanczy
@catekustanczy.bsky.social
Writer ~ Media Teacher. Artsy.
Manchmal auf Deutsch.
theoperaqueen.com
Manchmal auf Deutsch.
theoperaqueen.com
Opera, Ozzy (Osbourne), Susan Sontag, grunge – & how I marked the tenth anniversary of my mother's passing: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/10/08/e...
October 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Opera, Ozzy (Osbourne), Susan Sontag, grunge – & how I marked the tenth anniversary of my mother's passing: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/10/08/e...
On opera, singing, camaraderie, real connections, the big four human emotions, embracing your past, and... maybe Wotan just wants a coffee? #music
My conversation with bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/08/19/n...
My conversation with bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/08/19/n...
August 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
On opera, singing, camaraderie, real connections, the big four human emotions, embracing your past, and... maybe Wotan just wants a coffee? #music
My conversation with bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/08/19/n...
My conversation with bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/08/19/n...
NEW: Pay-for-play; demons, staging reality "as it is", remembering Pierre Audi, and much more. My latest: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/06/21/r... #music
June 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
NEW: Pay-for-play; demons, staging reality "as it is", remembering Pierre Audi, and much more. My latest: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/06/21/r... #music
NEW: my conversation with tenor John Daszak – on singing, showmanship, conductors, directors, his Ukrainian roots, singing Russian works, & much more: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/04/09/j...
#opera
#opera
April 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
NEW: my conversation with tenor John Daszak – on singing, showmanship, conductors, directors, his Ukrainian roots, singing Russian works, & much more: www.theoperaqueen.com/2025/04/09/j...
#opera
#opera
Excellent exchange today w soprano Jacquelyn Stucker – on singing, acting, her upcoming Metropolitan Opera appearance (as Mozart's Countess) & her role in the soon-to-premiere new opera We Are The Lucky Ones at Dutch National Opera. Conversation coming soon to theoperaqueen.com
(Photo: Dario Acosta)
(Photo: Dario Acosta)
March 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Excellent exchange today w soprano Jacquelyn Stucker – on singing, acting, her upcoming Metropolitan Opera appearance (as Mozart's Countess) & her role in the soon-to-premiere new opera We Are The Lucky Ones at Dutch National Opera. Conversation coming soon to theoperaqueen.com
(Photo: Dario Acosta)
(Photo: Dario Acosta)
A brilliant & very timely interview (auf Deutsch) on Russia, Ukraine, music-making, conflict, culture, choice, & survival via @vanmagazin.bsky.social : van-magazin.de/mag/oleh-kur...
((Photo © Rebecca ter Braak)
((Photo © Rebecca ter Braak)
February 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A brilliant & very timely interview (auf Deutsch) on Russia, Ukraine, music-making, conflict, culture, choice, & survival via @vanmagazin.bsky.social : van-magazin.de/mag/oleh-kur...
((Photo © Rebecca ter Braak)
((Photo © Rebecca ter Braak)
"Be Still My Heart..."
A good sentiment for today; a great album for every day.
My feature interview with Christian Immler & Helmut Deutsch – on singing, playing, known music, unknown music, publishers, fame, family, Vienna, & much more – is coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
#Valentines #music
A good sentiment for today; a great album for every day.
My feature interview with Christian Immler & Helmut Deutsch – on singing, playing, known music, unknown music, publishers, fame, family, Vienna, & much more – is coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
#Valentines #music
February 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"Be Still My Heart..."
A good sentiment for today; a great album for every day.
My feature interview with Christian Immler & Helmut Deutsch – on singing, playing, known music, unknown music, publishers, fame, family, Vienna, & much more – is coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
#Valentines #music
A good sentiment for today; a great album for every day.
My feature interview with Christian Immler & Helmut Deutsch – on singing, playing, known music, unknown music, publishers, fame, family, Vienna, & much more – is coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
#Valentines #music
Rather proud to have two (!) magazine covers with classical music publications this month. Thanks/Merci, Opera Canada + La Scena Musicale 🙏
Link to my interview with conductor Jordan de Souza: myscena.org/catherine-ku...
Link to my interview with conductor Jordan de Souza: myscena.org/catherine-ku...
February 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Rather proud to have two (!) magazine covers with classical music publications this month. Thanks/Merci, Opera Canada + La Scena Musicale 🙏
Link to my interview with conductor Jordan de Souza: myscena.org/catherine-ku...
Link to my interview with conductor Jordan de Souza: myscena.org/catherine-ku...
"YES I SHOOT HIM. YOU KNOW VY?"
Joan Plowright's performance in 1990's I Love You To Death lives forever rent-free in my head. Brilliant actress with a long & varied career. #RIP youtu.be/OUVaECmXyx0?...
Joan Plowright's performance in 1990's I Love You To Death lives forever rent-free in my head. Brilliant actress with a long & varied career. #RIP youtu.be/OUVaECmXyx0?...
January 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
"YES I SHOOT HIM. YOU KNOW VY?"
Joan Plowright's performance in 1990's I Love You To Death lives forever rent-free in my head. Brilliant actress with a long & varied career. #RIP youtu.be/OUVaECmXyx0?...
Joan Plowright's performance in 1990's I Love You To Death lives forever rent-free in my head. Brilliant actress with a long & varied career. #RIP youtu.be/OUVaECmXyx0?...
Susan Sontag would have been 92 today.
Her love of opera is sewn throughout this 1987 essay – on love, death, fluids, consciousness, emotional cliches made "shatteringly literal", & the "generic pathos" of modern Wagnerians. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v0...
(Photo: Lynn Gilbert, 1979)
Her love of opera is sewn throughout this 1987 essay – on love, death, fluids, consciousness, emotional cliches made "shatteringly literal", & the "generic pathos" of modern Wagnerians. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v0...
(Photo: Lynn Gilbert, 1979)
January 16, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Susan Sontag would have been 92 today.
Her love of opera is sewn throughout this 1987 essay – on love, death, fluids, consciousness, emotional cliches made "shatteringly literal", & the "generic pathos" of modern Wagnerians. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v0...
(Photo: Lynn Gilbert, 1979)
Her love of opera is sewn throughout this 1987 essay – on love, death, fluids, consciousness, emotional cliches made "shatteringly literal", & the "generic pathos" of modern Wagnerians. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v0...
(Photo: Lynn Gilbert, 1979)
Berlin's culture budget woes; a great learning initiative in Scotland; talking with orchestra librarians in San Francisco; previewing fun things in Vienna next month. (And much more!) My final post of 2024 is now up: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/12/28/r...
December 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM
Berlin's culture budget woes; a great learning initiative in Scotland; talking with orchestra librarians in San Francisco; previewing fun things in Vienna next month. (And much more!) My final post of 2024 is now up: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/12/28/r...
Happy birthday to me.
(Clearly I was practicing reviewing operas here.)
(Clearly I was practicing reviewing operas here.)
December 14, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Happy birthday to me.
(Clearly I was practicing reviewing operas here.)
(Clearly I was practicing reviewing operas here.)
A conversation with musicologist and Wagner In Context editor David Trippett – on curation, culture wars, framing, + the composer & his multi-faceted legacy: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/06/28/d...
June 29, 2024 at 3:27 PM
A conversation with musicologist and Wagner In Context editor David Trippett – on curation, culture wars, framing, + the composer & his multi-faceted legacy: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/06/28/d...
April 21, 2024 at 11:19 PM
"Beauty is not always defined as vocal perfection. [...] Listen to “My Way” w Sinatra & another singer & you will know the difference.Some may sing the nice melodies & say, “okay, it’s enough” – no. ‘Okay’ is not enough."
My interview w baritone Ludovic Tézier: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/03/11/l...
My interview w baritone Ludovic Tézier: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/03/11/l...
March 12, 2024 at 3:15 AM
"Beauty is not always defined as vocal perfection. [...] Listen to “My Way” w Sinatra & another singer & you will know the difference.Some may sing the nice melodies & say, “okay, it’s enough” – no. ‘Okay’ is not enough."
My interview w baritone Ludovic Tézier: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/03/11/l...
My interview w baritone Ludovic Tézier: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/03/11/l...
Still thinking about my exchange with Opéra Comique Director Louis Langrée yesterday. "This theatre's history really is so much about innovation!"
His thoughts on history, teamwork, & connections btw education & brand, + administrator & artist, coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
(Photo: Chris Lee)
His thoughts on history, teamwork, & connections btw education & brand, + administrator & artist, coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
(Photo: Chris Lee)
February 21, 2024 at 9:42 PM
Still thinking about my exchange with Opéra Comique Director Louis Langrée yesterday. "This theatre's history really is so much about innovation!"
His thoughts on history, teamwork, & connections btw education & brand, + administrator & artist, coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
(Photo: Chris Lee)
His thoughts on history, teamwork, & connections btw education & brand, + administrator & artist, coming soon to theoperaqueen.com.
(Photo: Chris Lee)
French baritone Stéphane Degout on text, teaching, bodies, & basics – and the Schubertian L'Autre Voyage, which opens in Paris tonight: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/01/31/s...
February 1, 2024 at 2:50 PM
French baritone Stéphane Degout on text, teaching, bodies, & basics – and the Schubertian L'Autre Voyage, which opens in Paris tonight: www.theoperaqueen.com/2024/01/31/s...
"There are many ways to approach the concert experience, but one thing remains essential for me: Listening & performing require concentration & devotion."
My interview with composer Unsuk Chin ahead of the North American premiere of her 'Operascope' next week www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
My interview with composer Unsuk Chin ahead of the North American premiere of her 'Operascope' next week www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
January 18, 2024 at 6:03 PM
"There are many ways to approach the concert experience, but one thing remains essential for me: Listening & performing require concentration & devotion."
My interview with composer Unsuk Chin ahead of the North American premiere of her 'Operascope' next week www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
My interview with composer Unsuk Chin ahead of the North American premiere of her 'Operascope' next week www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
"We go our separate ways, do not forget me… "
I cannot stop thinking about Lev Rubinstein.
#RIP
www.poetryinternational.com/en/poets-poe...
(Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT)
I cannot stop thinking about Lev Rubinstein.
#RIP
www.poetryinternational.com/en/poets-poe...
(Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT)
January 15, 2024 at 3:12 AM
"We go our separate ways, do not forget me… "
I cannot stop thinking about Lev Rubinstein.
#RIP
www.poetryinternational.com/en/poets-poe...
(Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT)
I cannot stop thinking about Lev Rubinstein.
#RIP
www.poetryinternational.com/en/poets-poe...
(Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT)
My 2024 vibe:
January 5, 2024 at 6:16 PM
My 2024 vibe:
I recently enjoyed a good exchange with Opéra national de Paris General Director Alexander Neef – about programming choices, diversity initiatives, the notion of cultural routine, the weight of history, & opera's social responsibility. Feature now up: www.theoperaqueen.com/2023/12/29/a... #opera
December 30, 2023 at 4:13 PM
I recently enjoyed a good exchange with Opéra national de Paris General Director Alexander Neef – about programming choices, diversity initiatives, the notion of cultural routine, the weight of history, & opera's social responsibility. Feature now up: www.theoperaqueen.com/2023/12/29/a... #opera
Peter & The Wolf is one of my all-time favourite music things. There's a new version out now, thanks to Irish artist Gavin Friday. My interviews – on narrative changes, musical rearrangements, & how he got Bono to not talk, but draw. www.theoperaqueen.com/2023/12/20/g...
(Photo: Blink Industries)
(Photo: Blink Industries)
December 21, 2023 at 9:03 PM
Peter & The Wolf is one of my all-time favourite music things. There's a new version out now, thanks to Irish artist Gavin Friday. My interviews – on narrative changes, musical rearrangements, & how he got Bono to not talk, but draw. www.theoperaqueen.com/2023/12/20/g...
(Photo: Blink Industries)
(Photo: Blink Industries)
Coming soon to theoperaqueen.com: a conversation with Opera de Paris General Director Alexander Neef about new repertoire, old repertoire, identity, curiosity, cultural exposure, and the weight (or rather, lightness) of history. Photo: Elena Bauer / OnP
December 18, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Coming soon to theoperaqueen.com: a conversation with Opera de Paris General Director Alexander Neef about new repertoire, old repertoire, identity, curiosity, cultural exposure, and the weight (or rather, lightness) of history. Photo: Elena Bauer / OnP
"The function of art isn’t just to entertain; it’s to shake people up, to challenge people – as [Arnold] Schoenberg said, “If it is art, it is not for all, and if it is for all, it is not art.”
My interview with Andrew Burashko for @globeandmail.bsky.social : www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
My interview with Andrew Burashko for @globeandmail.bsky.social : www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
November 30, 2023 at 8:53 PM
"The function of art isn’t just to entertain; it’s to shake people up, to challenge people – as [Arnold] Schoenberg said, “If it is art, it is not for all, and if it is for all, it is not art.”
My interview with Andrew Burashko for @globeandmail.bsky.social : www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...
My interview with Andrew Burashko for @globeandmail.bsky.social : www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre...