La Traviata: Verdi's Timeless Fallen Woman

Behind Salome's Seven Veils: Lust, Murder and Mutilation: On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. Plus, hear all about these YouTube picks of the week: Nadja Michael, the Royal Opera, London: Lubja Welitsch, Fritz Reiner, Met Opera Orchestra: Salome directed by Götz Friedrich, starring Teresa Stratas and Bernd Weikl, Karl Böhm conducts the Vienna Philharmonic: This episode features excerpts from the following album: • Salome (London/Decca, 1995) — Catherine Malfitano, soprano; Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone; Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi by He Sang/She Sang

37 min listen

Behind the Scenes and Into the Chorus of Puccini's 'La Bohème': On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Join us as we go behind the scenes into the life of a Metropolitan Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta. Edward Hanlon's pick (Maria Callas Master Class at Juilliard) Merrin Lazyan's pick (Rolando Villazón) This episode features excerpts from the following album: Puccini: La Bohème (London/Decca, 1987) — Luciano Pavarotti, tenor; Mirella Freni, soprano; Rolando Panerai, baritone; Elizabeth Harwood, soprano; Nicolai Ghiaurov, bass; Gianni Maffeo, baritone; Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic by He Sang/She Sang

32 min listen

Up Close with 'L'Amour de Loin': On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe get you ready for the new Metropolitan Opera production of L'Amour de Loin. We'll discuss the plot, characters and the music from this 12th century story about a long-distance relationship. Plus, we'll hear from bass-baritone Eric Owens, soprano Susanna Phillips and composer Kaija Saariaho. Mike and Merrin's YouTube picks to get even more familiar with L'Amour de Loin: The Met's trailer for the opera featuring Susanna Phillips, Eric Owens and Tamara Mumford. The Pilgrim (mezzo-soprano Monica Groop) and Clémence, Countess of Tripoli (soprano Dawn Upshaw). This episode features excerpts from the following album: • L'amour de Loin (Harmonia Mundi, 2009) — Daniel Belcher, tenor; Ekaterina Lekhina, soprano; Marie-Ange Todorovitch, mezzo-soprano Like what you heard? Subscribe to He Sang/She Sang on iTunes. by He Sang/She Sang

41 min listen

William Tell: Rossini's Grand Finale: Gioachino Rossini was only 37-years-old when he wrote his final opera, William Tell. Although he lived for another 40 years, this epic work would remain a swan song of sorts. The libretto — based on a French play by Friedrich Schiller — tells the story of a Swiss community fighting for political freedom under Hapsburg rule. Through the music, we understand Tell's struggle to keep his family together while serving the greater good, and we experience a love that transcends tribal and national boundaries. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by author Fred Plotkin to discuss the glorious music of Rossini's final opera, William Tell. We also speak with the Tony-nominated set designer George Tsypin about the themes of nature and freedom that inspired him. Fred's YouTube pick (Luciano Pavarotti): Merrin's YouTube pick (Mary Schneider): Julian's YouTube pick: This episode features excerpts fro by He Sang/She Sang

30 min listen

Romeo And Juliet: All About The Love Duets: This week, the He Sang/She Sang team is joined by WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. Hear how this opera is really a vehicle for four gorgeous love duets, how opera companies protect their "gazillion dollar voices" from dangers on stage and what makes the brand-spanking-new production at the Metropolitan Opera so great. He Sang/She Sang Bonus Episode: Head Over Heels with Diana Damrau Merrin Lazyan's Pick (Diana Damrau, "Je veux vivre") Jeff Spurgeon's Pick (Franco Corelli & Anna Moffo, "O nuit divine") Mike Shobe's Pick (Anna Netrebko, "Amour, ranime mon courage") This episode features excerpts from the following album: Gounod: Romeo et Juliette (EMI Classics, 1994) — Franco Corelli, tenor; Mirella Freni, soprano; Paris Opera Theater Orchestra conducted by Alain Lombard by He Sang/She Sang

26 min listen

Fate and Forbidden Love in Mozart's 'Idomeneo': Idomeneo is considered Mozart's first "mature" opera — the first in which he displays his incredible talent as a vocal and dramatic composer. "Mature" also fittingly describes the central themes of the work, which include parental love, self-sacrifice, and the human struggle against the machinations of gods and fate. In light of the fact that Mozart was only 24 when he composed Idomeneo, his insight into the timeless questions we face is all the more striking. World-renowned mezzo-soprano Alice Coote joins host Merrin Lazyan to explore the themes of love and fate through the lens of Coote's character, Idamante. She also speaks candidly about the perils of dressing (and undressing) for a trouser role. Quartet from Act III (Matthew Polenzani, Alice Coote, Nadine Sierra, Elza van den Heever): This episode features excerpts from the following albums: Mozart: Idomeneo (Deutsche Grammophon, 1996) — Plácido Domingo, tenor; Cecilia Bartoli, mezz by He Sang/She Sang

28 min listen

Carmen: Bizet's Famous Femme Fatale: The 1875 premiere of Carmen at the Opera Comique in Paris was met with shocked gasps and raised eyebrows. Both the story and its seductive heroine were shockingly risque for the audience and the critics in attendance. But the genius of Bizet's music was irrepressible, and the opera was a resounding success within a few short months. It remains among the most-performed operas in history. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with conductor Asher Fisch all about Bizet's masterpiece. We discuss why this opera is loved by opera newbies and connoisseurs alike, and Fisch shares a few of his tips and tricks for keeping an opera on track when it all starts to fall apart. We also speak with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who is making her Metropolitan Opera debut as opera's famous femme fatale -- an independent, sexually liberated gypsy woman who trades her life for freedom. Julian's YouTube pick (f by He Sang/She Sang

42 min listen

Nabucco: Verdi's Triumphant Return: Nabucco is the opera that got Verdi back in the game after a long time away from composing, but its premiere almost didn't happen. Hear how it was saved and in an ironic twist of fate, how the opera shortened the career of the soprano who saved it. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and dramaturg Cori Ellison discuss Verdi's connection to the plight of the Hebrew slaves, why this year's revival at the Metropolitan Opera is so special and the cultural significance of "Va, pensiero." Cori Ellison's YouTube pick (Riccardo Muti, Opera di Roma) Merrin Lazyan's YouTube pick (Plácido Domingo and Liudmyla Monastyrska, The Royal Opera) This episode features excerpts from the following album: Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon, 1983) — Piero Cappuccilli, baritone; Plácido Domingo, tenor; Evgeny Nesterenko, bass; Ghena Dimitrova, soprano; Lucia Valentini Terrani, mezzo-soprano; Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berl by He Sang/She Sang

36 min listen

Werther: Massenet's Lovelorn Hero: When Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther was published in 1774, it became an overnight sensation. Men wore yellow waistcoats and leather breeches to look like the novel's lovelorn hero, they carried vials of their own tears to display the depth of their feelings, and they even killed themselves in solidarity with the title character. The story of passionate, unrequited love was equally resonant when Jules Massenet's opera premiered a century later, and the glorious music is still just as heart-rending today. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight. Kuslan's first YouTube pick (Tatiana Troyanos, 1982): Kuslan's second YouTube pick (Christa Ludwig and Franco Corelli, 1971): Spurgeon's YouTube pick (Lisette Oropesa and Jonas Kau by He Sang/She Sang

45 min listen

S4E01 - The Love Parade [1929] with Jennifer Fleeger: Ursinus College professor Jennifer Fleeger joins us to discuss THE LOVE PARADE. In this episode, we cover the operetta form, the divergent singing styles of Jeanette Macdonald and Maurice Chevalier, how those styles interact with the recording techno... by How Would Lubitsch Do It?

55 min listen

Jess Gillam with... Braimah Kanneh-Mason: Jess Gillam and violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason swap some of their favourite tracks. by This Classical Life

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The Dark Angel: The Lux Radio Theatre. June 22, 1936 "The Dark Angel". . A melodrama of a love affair interrupted by the war and only slowed down by blindness. James Montgomery Flagg is interviewed. Cecil B. DeMille, James Montgomery Flagg, Louis Silvers (music... by Best of Old Time Radio

61 min listen

Thinking with Opera 03: Thomas Adès and Operas of Confinement by Thinking with Opera

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Jess Gillam with... Esther Abrami: Jess Gillam and violinist Esther Abrami swap playlists of tunes they love. by This Classical Life

28 min listen

Jess Gillam with... Ellie Consta: Jess Gillam and violinist Ellie Consta share some of the music they love the most. by This Classical Life

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Love and Heresy by Relevant Tones

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The Golden Age of Wagnerian Opera at the MET: Most critics will agree that the richest period of Wagnerian singing in The United States took place during the 1940's, and '50's at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. This podcast pays homage to the incredible talent of those historic decades,... by Wagner Operas Podcast

63 min listen

In the Studio: Helmut Deutsch and Michael Volle - Staging Winterreise: An acclaimed pianist and baritone tackle Franz Schubert's song cycle by The Documentary Podcast

28 min listen

Ep. 16: Megaconcerts: "The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall" Part 2, 2011: The PHANNNNTOM OF THE OPERA IS HERE inside our mics *organ theme*...we know you sang it. Join the Broadway Babies in part two of the MEGA musical that everyone thinks is an opera! In this segment, Alex and Daisha talk about how Phantom of the Opera... by Broadway Babies: A Musical Theatre Podcast

31 min listen

L.A. Studio Legends #17: Gloria Cheng: Award-winning pianist talks her career as a classical performer specialized in contemporary repertoire and her many collaborations with John Williams, including her solos on Munich and The Adventures of Tintin, and the recent premiere of ‘Prelude and Sch... by The Legacy of John Williams Podcast

62 min listen

Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme, by Thomas Tallis: How the beauty and richness of an orchestral fantasia inspired a young boy. by Soul Music

28 min listen

Floyd's Susannah: Hopeless in New Hope, featuring Renée Fleming: When the great American composer Carlisle Floyd wrote his first full-length opera, Susannah, back in the 1950s, he had no way of knowing how the Biblical themes of shame, blame and lust would still resonate today. In this special episode of Aria Code, ho by Aria Code

31 min listen

Five Daphnis Solos and a Raccoon by The Inline G Flute Podcast

43 min listen

Marlo Thomas and Lisa Emery (#330) - January, 2012: From "Relatively Speaking". by ATW - Downstage Center

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#23: "The Phantom of the Opera" (feat. Elisa Hansen): Sponsored by Audible. Get your FREE AUDIOBOOK at: www.audibletrial.com/MusicalswithCheeseHe's there the Phantom of the Opera! Today we are talking about Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh's Phantom of the Opera. Also, we are joined by our incredible guest host Elisa Hansen (aka the Maven of the Eventide). In this episode we discuss the plot of the Phantom of the Opera, it's longevity over the decades the show has been performed, and the extreme creepiness of the Phantom and it's "Phandom." It's an episode not to be missed.Special Thanks to Patrons:Terri NeedlemanStephanie L by Musicals with Cheese Podcast

84 min listen

L'Italiana in Algeri: Rossini's quest for Italy: L'Italiana in Algeri may seem like a classic battle of the sexes story set in North Africa, but it's really all about Italy. At least that's one way to look at it. On this episode of He Sang/She Sang, author Fred Plotkin, soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb discuss the politics, patriotism and musical brilliance of Rossini's escape-story masterpiece. Fred Plotkin's YouTube pick (Marilyn Horne, Pablo Montarsolo, Myra Merritt, Douglas Ahlstedt, Spiro Malas) Merrin Lazyan's YouTube pick (Anna Goryachova, Alex Esposito, Yijie Shi, Mario Cassi) This episode features excerpts from the following album: Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri (Erato, 1981) — Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano; Samuel Ramey, bass; Kathleen Battle, soprano; Clara Foti, mezzo-soprano; Nicola Zaccaria, bass; Ernesto Palacio, tenor; Domenico Trimarchi, baritone; I Solisti Veneti conducted by Claudio Scimone by He Sang/She Sang

41 min listen

Love Me Tonight (1932) Ep. 51: In this episode we dance our way through Rouben Mamoulian's innovative early musical, Love Me Tonight (1932), starring Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald, and Myrna Loy. Tune-in to hear why this musical was so ahead of it's time, and represented a ca... by Classic Movie Musts

27 min listen

Jess Gillam with... Alessandro Fisher: Jess Gillam and tenor Alessandro Fisher share the music they love by This Classical Life

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Episode 211: Cutting and Ned: . by the memory palace

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Jess Gillam with... James Newby: Jess Gillam and baritone James Newby swap some of their favourite music. by This Classical Life

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La Traviata: Verdi's Timeless Fallen Woman

La Traviata: Verdi's Timeless Fallen Woman

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