The Geisha Revival 1931

It probably would have been worth the trip to Bard SummerScape's production of Pietro Mascagni's IRIS—last heard at the Met in 1931--simply to make the acquaintance of soprano Talise Trevigne. Through much suffering and indignity, Trevigne sang the title role in a luxurious, plush-voiced, physical performance that made the most of the score by the composer who will always be known for CAVALLERIA RUSTIANA, that signpost of verismo opera. She's a find, and I hope to hear her again.

Television and film star Zach Quinto is expected to star in the upcoming George Gershwin biopic, produced by DreamWorks and Steven Speilberg, according to published reports. Quinto, star of television's 'Heroes' and the recent JJ Abrams Star Trek remake, will play the famed composer who, during his short life, wrote many vocal and theatrical works, including more than a dozen Broadway shows.

Variety reports that DreamWorks will be memorializing composer George Gershwin in a new biopic to be penned by Memoirs of a Geisha writer and Creditor's director Doug Wright, and produced by Marc Platt ('Wanted') and famed singer and pianist Michael Feinstein.