OPERA DIVA - ANNA NETREBKO - LOVELY & TALENTEDThe Metropolitan Opera opened the 2012-13 season with a fantastic deja-vu!  Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore starring AnnaNETREBKO AS ADINA - L'ALISER D'AMORE - DONIZETTI Netrebko as Adina.  One year ago the opera debuted a new production of Anna Bolena, another Donizetti Opera, with the title role performed by the hottest newcomer to the opera world in the last decade - Anna Netrebko.   That Donizetti opera was staged with a dark and dramatic set and Netrebko blew audiences away.   In the year since this production, Anna has continued to set the Opera world on fire.   Her career is in superstar territory, and her schedule is probably booked for the next 5 years.   **Performances on this scale are planned years in advance and the scheduling of all the talent on stage and in the orchestra pit must be as daunting a task as one can imagine**  In this Donizetti Opera,  Netrebko's Adina was playful, seductive, and powerful!  The most exciting part of the show was to see how comfortable Ms. Netrebko has become on stage.  Her energy was real and she was clearly having a good time.  If not, she deserves an Oscar in addition to a Grammy!

Netrebko was born in Russia, now resides in Vienna, and is truly a citizen of the world.  Her schedule MARGIE STERN - GIVING FASHION AT THE MET BALL, WITH YOURS TRULYnow takes her around the world, as every major Opera company in the world is anxious to have Anna perform.   Netrebko is destined for world of showbiz.   The fashion world is courting her now.   The world is her oyster, and this pearl of Russia is ready for her close up!  

I am lucky enough to have been invited to the debut performances of both Anna Bolena & L'eliser d'amore.  The opening gala brings out the chicest society crowd in New York.   Gowns, jewels, and divas - the kind that don't perform on a stage!

The opening gala raises millions of dollars to fund the production.  The costs are staggering for these elaborate shows.    

There was fashion all around.  Martha Stewart was beautiful in chocolate brown, and Courtney Love in black lace.   Designers Oscar de la Renta and Zac Posen aka Zac Poison were also on hand.   

The latest album title from PINK sums up the singers persona perfectly.  Blow Me (One Last Kiss), gives you attitude, innuendo, and just enough sweetness that balances this ever relevant singer.  NEW PINK

I must admit, for years Pink was a bit of an enigma to me.  I grew up consuming music by Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Whitney, & Mariah - all strong women who made their mark (or continued to) in the era when music became a visual medium.   When Pink burst on the scene in 2001 with "Get The Party Started", it was a smash hit around the world.  The single was a song to be heard endlessly on the radio.   For some reason though, her records never made it into my collection.   I'd hear the singles, love them, but not make them mine.  It might be that her popularity prevented me from feeling the need to buy the tunes, because I could hear them anytime I wanted by turning on the radio... but of course then I would only hear the official singles, and not the gems that are oftentimes hidden on great artist's albums.  It was her live performance of Glitter in the Air at the 2010 Grammys that took my breath away.   A dazzling spectacle that saw her twirling and spinning through the air ala Cirque du Soleil, in the best shape of her life, flawlessly hitting her marks.  Pink had arrived.

This is just part of why Pink deserves my, and your attention.   She is a talented song writer, singer, & performer.PINK - AS SEEN ON HER WEBSITE - CLICK TO VISIT   She brings so much power and edge to her work, but can also romance you with her voice - not an easy range to cover.  What keeps this entertainer relevant and modern is her no nonsense, non-pretentious attitude and personality.   While her rebellious persona feels authentic, there is a level of manners and respect that comes through.  She is not so much rebel without a cause, but rebel without a pause - because she speaks from the hip and doesn't play the celebrity soul selling game to tabloids and / or reality shows.

One part Joan Jett, one part Janis Joplin,  Pink has a unique style all her own.   She is sexy enough to grab your attention, and talented enough to keep it.  If I had daughters, I'd hope they would listen to her music - and more importantly - take her message to heart. So What, Stupid Girls, & especially  F**kin Perfect are anthems to young ladies to believe in themselves and urge them not to validate feelings of insecurity projected on you from others.  All of these song help prove she is the most authentic "girl power" singer of her generation, Pink is the real deal.   

Click images to listen or shop.  Watch her performance of Glitter in the Air at the 2010 Grammys below:

With the release of her twelfth studio album MDNA, Madonna has proven once again that she remains Queen of the Music World.   Ever able to evolve, Madonna keeps giving her fans what they have come to expect - the unexpected.   While most performers find success with a specific sound and tweak that again and again album after album, this pop icon is unique.   VARSITY CHEER ON THE MDNA TOURSuccess for Ms. Ciccone has come in a variety of music types and genres.   From the original pop and dance hits of Holiday, Borderline, and Like a Virgin, to the poignant ballads like This Used To Be My Playground, smooth crooning of Sooner or Later, or a romantic love-song like Masterpiece - Madonna clearly has never wanted to be a formulaic artist.   Sure patterns have emerged and there is a winning formula she has mixed album after album.   First of all, Madonna is all about lyrics.  Her songs are written from the heart.  Some have songs written for them but Madonna has only gotten more personal with every new album she writes.   Some songs unmistakably follow the trials of her real life.  Her collaborative efforts come in the form of producers, musicians, and DJ's, who help create new sounds and looks - one part classic Madonna - one part new sound.

MDNA is clearly the album written after a bitter divorce, as one picks themselves up and pushes on.  Song after song on the album mirrors Madonna's life post Guy Ritchie.  It's clear - this woman was angry, hurt, sorry, relieved, and at a loss.  Just as anyone who ends a serious relationship would be.   No better example -I Don't Give a... Madonna sings of a recently single mother with custody of the kids, juggling a busy career, settling with an ex without the benefit of a pre-nup.  Her clear message to the world,  she doesn't care what they think of her.   MADONNA - TURN UP THE RADIO - VIDEO - MDNASound familiar?   Rap/Pop phenom Nicki Minaj joins Madonna to sing of real girl power and also to kiss the ring of The Queen of Pop via an acerbic wit and catchy rhymes as only Minaj can do!  Minaj also joins MIA on the first single from the album  Give Me All Your Luvin - the cheerleader themed mash up of rap and roll that featured prominently in Madonna's half-time performance at the .. Super Bowl 46   The performance was a tour-de-force, albeit Madonna's somewhat stiff performance (rumored to be from a hamstring pull during rehearsal).    Entering the stadium on an Egyptian style barge pulled by dozens of muscled slaves ala Cleopatra - How else does a Queen enter a stadium?MADONNA BACKSTAGE - MDNA TOUR - 2012

At a time when so few people actually buy albums, it's harder and harder for artists to move CD's.   Despite the challenges, Madonna was able to see sales reach the top of the Billboard chart as MDNA deputed at #1 selling over 300,000 copies that week.   Of course her many detractors were quick to point out that Madonna "only" snagged this title by bundling album sales with ticket sales of her World tour to support the album.   How this was seen as a negative makes absolutely no sense.   Fans were anxious to spend hundreds of dollars around the world to see this artist perform - and it is supposed to be seen as a cop out? Ridiculous!NICKI MINAJ, MADONNA, & MIA - GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN

I have to make a confession of my own.  As a huge fan of Madonna's work I think I am a harder critic than the average listener.  Whenever there is a new album I listen with hesitation, thinking "Is this the one that ends it?".   I'm always nervous that somehow Madonna will miss the mark and have lost her touch.  Shame on me.  That feeling I have is my own insecurity, knowing I'm no longer the teenager that fell in love with Madonna.   An artist that continues to evolve can never fail - and I'm happy to say - this is not the album that misses!

I will say - there is too many gun and shooting references on the album, and now in the world tour to support it.   Especially strange was Madonna's choice to open the tour in Tel Aviv, and then proceed to brandish machine guns in the show.  Especially strange.   Adding to the awkwardness is the horrific incident in Colorado in July when a crazed gunman opened fire at the first screenings of Batman- The Dark Knight Rises.   Pop stars automatic weapons sexy - not sexy or smart. 

Watch the gun-free video for Turn Up The Radio below.   Download the album or singles by clicking MDNA

The world lost another incredible talent on Saturday February 11th, 2012.   Singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.   The cause of death was not immediately known.   Her very public battle with drugs addiction was at the center of her life for more than a decade.   Having sold over 200 million records, Houston was a talent that will not soon be matched.   

I only saw Whitney in person once, about 8 years ago in Miami.  It was early on a weekday morning and I was heading to a business meeting.  I grabbed a quick coffee  in my hotel lobby and to my surprise,  I looked over to see Whitney sitting 3 stools away.   There was a presentation of some moderate fashion collection in the hotel that morning.  Whitney was sitting at the cafe counter, presumably waiting for someone.   Needless to say, she didn't look her best.   While she was beautiful, wearing white pants and a colorful top, with a matching pink sun visor - there was an agitated way about her.   She was digging in her handbag unlike you would expect a multi-platinum Grammy winner to look for something.   As I finished my coffee, I noticed that hotel management just recognizing her and starting to give her the royal welcome.   They were also obviously concerned with her demeanor and were giving her a really calm and sweet welcome.  I remember thinking how sad it was and how troubled she looked.

I want to remember the best of her work and the happiest times of her career.   I'm going to listen to her greatest hits right now.   Nobody did R&B dance music like Whitney!!  Watch one of my favorite Whitney videos below.

Deepest and most heart felt condolences to her family.