Showed Up: 'Elektra' at the Metropolitan Opera @3:50 PM
Seth Colter Walls: Matthew, why is Elektra, currently at the Met, important? Like, The Awl basically never covers operas. Why are we doing this one?
Choire Sicha: Yeah, seriously, what the hell?
Seth: And why have you gone 3 times in the last week, weirdo?
Matthew Gallaway: Elektra is an opera written in 1909 by Richard Strauss, who is one of the most important composers of the 20th Century. In the manner of say, Picasso, he paved the way for the atonal dissonance and 12-tone scales that would come to define progressive music for the next 100 years or more. (Read Alex Ross for more accurate information!) READ MORE 37
The Coolest Thing From the Edo Period You'll Ever See @10:40 AM
Remember how we so kindly informed you that you must go see the 'Art of the Samurai' exhibition at the Met, because it is the best show on earth, and because we are so helpful? Now I have proof! READ MORE 19
"Art of the Samurai" at The Met: The Best Show on Earth @11:37 AM
It does not sound like anything I would have been interested in, and you may easily feel the same way. And yet, "The Art of the Samurai," just put up on view at The Met, is an exquisite, do-not-miss, unbelievable exhibition—even for those of us who know absolutely nothing about Japan, ancient or recent history, ferrous metallurgy and/or war. At heart, this exhibition is actually about super fabulous outfits! I mean, mind-blowing, 400-year-old, space-age, unbelievable, gorgeously-made rock star outfits, constructed from hay-smoked deer leather and steel and silk and gold. READ MORE 24
