ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY.- Giacomo Meyerbeer was the toast of Paris in the 19th century. Nowadays, when he’s mentioned at all, he’s the object of backhanded compliments. “The man may not have been a genius, but he was a craftsman,” critic Harold C. Schonberg wrote in The New York Times when one of Meyerbeer’s grand operas, “Le Prophète,” came to the Metropolitan Opera in 1977.

Review: Grand opera makes a comeback with 'Le Prophète'

New York City, NY

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Virginia State

Bryshere Gray's name has been added to a growing list. Some Virginians have been keeping up with the ever-increasing tales of celebrities and their alleged connections to the saga of Sean Diddy Combs. There are now rumors that Empire actor Bryshere Gray is suing Diddy and Will Smith.

Empire actor Bryshere Gray is allegedly suing Will Smith and Sean Combs

San Francisco, CA

NEW YORK, NY.- Jerry Miller, an acclaimed guitarist who emerged from the Pacific Northwest club circuit to make his mark on San Francisco’s psychedelic rock scene in the 1960s as a founding member of the lauded, if star-crossed, band Moby Grape, died Sunday at his home in Tacoma, Washington. He was 81.

Jerry Miller, Moby Grape guitarist, dies at 81

Prima Classic has announced a new recording of Bellini’s “Norma” starring Marian Rebeka. The recording, set to be released on Oct. 4, 2024, will also star Karine Deshayes, Luciano Ganci, and Marko Mimica. John Fiore conducts the Teatro Real de Madrid Orchestra and Chorus. Meanwhile, the recording...

Prima Classic Announces ‘Norma’ Recording Starring Marina Rebeka

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

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Devra Lee

Disclaimer: This content was written by Devra Lee for general informational and entertainment purposes only. This service is to provide astrological information that has been researched, recorded, and observed by the author.

Horoscope of the Day, Wednesday, July 31st

NEW YORK, NY.- Veteran singer and actress Leslie Uggams likes to be busy. “Even when I’m home and I get to relax,” she said in a phone interview from her home in New York, “I have to be doing something — cooking, doing a puzzle — something.”

Leslie Uggams won't get left behind

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are two of the biggest celebrities in modern times. While much of the happenings between the two involved their marriage and divorce, there are bigger things for them to focus on. Most notably their children.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Son Diagnosed With Rare Skin Condition

Wendy's birthday was spent away from her loved ones. Virginia Wendy Williams fans, the latest update is not encouraging. The former talk show host turned 60 on July 18 without any of her loved ones around. According to Yahoo, family members remain "out of bounds" and have no access to Wendy as she battles dementia and progressive aphasia.

The family of talk show diva Wendy Williams were unable to celebrate her 60th birthday by her side

NEW YORK, NY.- Early on Sept. 30, 1893, the Margaret A. Muir schooner, carrying cargo of bulk salt, cleared the narrow Straits of Mackinac on its way down Lake Michigan toward Chicago’s port. As the crew rounded Michigan and steered south, the ship encountered relentless 50 mph winds. For...

130 years after sinking, ship is found on the bottom of Lake Michigan

NEW YORK, NY.- Toumani Diabaté, a virtuoso of the kora, a 21-stringed West African instrument, which he often put into dialogue with other musical traditions from around the globe, died Friday in Bamako, Mali. He was 58. His death, in a hospital, was caused by kidney failure, said his...

Toumani Diabaté, Malian master of the kora, is dead at 58

Saxophone players are musicians who perform using the saxophone, a versatile brass instrument known for its rich, expressive sound. With its distinctive curved shape and single-reed mouthpiece, the saxophone can produce a wide range of tones, from smooth and mellow to bright and piercing. Saxophone players employ various techniques, including breath control, embouchure adjustment, and finger positioning, to achieve different effects and dynamics. The instrument is prominent in jazz, classical, and contemporary music, and its role can range from melodic leads to intricate solos and complex harmonies. Saxophone players are celebrated for their ability to convey deep emotion and improvisational skill.

15 Best Saxophone Players of All Time

Opera singers are masters of vocal artistry, blending technique, emotion, and storytelling in performances that transcend time and language. Their powerful voices, trained to project over orchestras without amplification, convey a wide range of emotions from love and despair to triumph and tragedy. Opera singers undergo rigorous training to achieve vocal agility, control, and the ability to interpret complex characters on stage. Beyond vocal skill, their performances often incorporate dramatic acting and stage presence, creating immersive experiences that captivate audiences in grand opera houses worldwide. Opera singers embody the pinnacle of musical and theatrical expression.

15 Best Opera Singers of All Time

CBS News

Melissa Walker and nine-time Grammy winner Christian McBride share their passion for music with "Jazz House Kids," a nonprofit that has produced top jazz musicians and provided free instruments and education to thousands of young artists.

Jazz legends Melissa Walker and Christian McBride foster future talent with nonprofit

Evan O’Hara, a Florida native, works with a large piece of alligator skin, a material that he said he favors for its durability and sustainability, in his studio in New York, April 12, 2024. As older craftspeople retire, apprentices are learning the skills to work with leather and textiles. (Janice Chung/The New York Times)

In a world of fast fashion, they take pride in taking their time

Gunta Stölzl, o. T. (Straßenzug mit Bergen im Hintergrund), 1915/1919. 24,0 x 30,4 cm. Aquarell und Gouache über Bleistift auf Papier. Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau (I 52845) / The Yael Aloni Collection / © (Stadler-Stölzl, Adelgunde (Gunta)) VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn [Jahr]. DESSAU-ROßLAU.- Ariel Aloni, grandson of...

Ariel Aloni donates 38 artworks to the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation

Willoughby, OH

Schuco Germany ‘Yes No’ mohair French bulldog in working order. All-original condition. Height: 7½in. Estimate: $800-$1,000. Photo: Courtesy of Milestone Auctions. WILLOUGHBY, OHIO .- One of the world’s finest and most-complete assemblages of antique and vintage Schuco toys – the estate collection of the late Winton “Wint” Johnson (1937-2022) – will headline Milestone’s August 24 Premier Toy Auction. Alongside the blue-ribbon Schucos are Wint’s other prized holdings: Japanese toy boats and prototypes, toy outboard motors (some boxed), pre-WWII airplanes, and English clockwork Minic toys. Wint’s love of lakes and boating was lifelong, as reflected in the three real-life wooden racing boats, boat motors and carved duck decoys also entered in the sale.

Milestone's Aug. 24 auction features estate collection of rare Schucos, other fine antique toys

“Acoustic music possesses a unique ability to capture raw emotion and intimate storytelling, transcending generations with its simplicity and authenticity. From heartfelt ballads to spirited anthems, acoustic songs have left an indelible mark on music history. In this compilation, we explore the timeless melodies and soul-stirring lyrics that define the Top Most Popular 15 Best Acoustic Songs of All Time. Each song not only showcases the technical mastery of its performers but also resonates deeply with listeners worldwide, evoking nostalgia, love, longing, and introspection. These songs are not just about the music but the profound connection they forge between artist and audience, often with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a voice. Whether it’s the haunting melodies of ‘Tears in Heaven’ by Eric Clapton, the poetic storytelling in ‘Fast Car’ by Tracy Chapman, or the gentle introspection of ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles, each track offers a glimpse into the power of stripped-down, unplugged music. Join us on a journey through these iconic compositions that continue to inspire and captivate music enthusiasts across the globe.”

15 Best Acoustic Songs of All Time

New Jersey State

Tiburon, CA

Bob Booker at WINZ Radio in Miami in 1959. Booker, a veteran comedy writer best known for “The First Family,” the 1962 album lampooning President John F. Kennedy and his family, which, despite record companies’ resistance, went on to become the fastest-selling album of the pre-Beatles era, died on July 12, 2024, at his home in Tiburon, Calif. He was 92. (via Booker family via The New York Times)

Bob Booker, whose JFK parody was a runaway hit, dies at 92

NewsBreak

Wolfgang Rihm, prolific contemporary classical music composer, dies at 72

BERLIN.- Wolfgang Rihm, a composer whose forceful, shape-shifting output reinvigorated contemporary classical music, died Saturday in Ettlingen, Germany. He was 72. His death, in a hospice...

Wolfgang Rihm, prolific contemporary classical music composer, dies at 72

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