Ok..now go into the shower and YOU do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Do NOT take anyone in there with you,or you might be drowned!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:41am EDT

Renata Scotto Sings :La Voix Humaine."

From Turino, 1999 under John Mauceri, the great Renata Scotto sings Poulenc's one-woman opera, La Voix Humaine. I know you will enjoy one of the very last of the great verismo divas. (50 min.)

Direct download: Scotto_Voix.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:45am EDT

Piotr Beczala Sings Verdi

With permission of the star, here is a sampling of Piotr Beczala's new Verdi album.Mariusz Kwiecien joins him in the Don Carlo (with a nice interpolated high C at then end.) I think you will all love it. I get NO commision, although there are some who think I ought to be committed.

Direct download: Beczala_Verdi1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:15am EDT

Another ME??Lord forbid!!!

 What a joy to see that a young "kid' is so well-educated in opera that he is influencing others to enjoy his marvelous site. Here is some info..and his site may be found at: operateen.wordpress.com.I had no internet when I was his age, and what a pleasure to have someone NOT KNOW who Justin Bieber is!!!

Harry Rose, a 15-year-old high school freshman from Westchester County, says he wants to run an opera house when he grows up. For now, however, being a star among opera fans on the Internet will do just fine.

Harry is best known by his Twitter handle, Opera Teen, and his resumé also includes guest critiques for the Huffington Post, reviews for industry sites like Parterre Box, and commentary on his own Tumblr blog. This Saturday, he’ll be on the Operavore show to talk about his favorite operatic experiences. As a preview, we ask Harry about his entry into the world of opera, where audience members are typically four times his age.

First opera-going experience: A double bill of Leoncavallo's Cavalleria Rusticana and Mascagni's Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera in April 2009. “Even though I was only 11 at the time, I have two very clear memories of the entire evening: one was Franco Zeffirelli's magnificent production, that’s rumored to be replaced next season. The second was mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi as Santuzza. Her passionate volatile mezzo stole the evening.”

Opera characters he’d invite over for dinner: I’d definitely invite Tosca, who would make for some great conversation. Also, Rusalka, a very interesting and enigmatic character. And Guillot in Massenet’s Manon. His motives are screwy but he’s just a funny, funny character.

Most Despicable opera character: Scarpia from Tosca. “He’s the playground bully of Rome. He’s mean to be mean. That’s why he’s despicable. Same thing with Iago from Otello.”

Challenges of being a teenage opera fan: The costs. Harry is too young to take advantage of student discounts at the Met. He recalls attending an opera at La Scala in Milan three years ago (age 11) and paying 110 euros to sit in the nosebleed seats.

What he’s looking forward to: Komlósi as the nurse in Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) at the Metropolitan Opera in November. “Komlósi has mostly focused her career in Europe so an appearance here is a treat.”

Fodder for great Twitter conversation: Dream casting operas with favorite singers.

Tags:

Category:general -- posted at: 9:48pm EDT

DIOS MIO!!!!! I just discovered Lucrecia Garcia..She is all over Youtube...What a soprano,in the "old tradition." Check her out!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Here is Piotr Beczala as the Duke in the new Met (modernized) Rigoletto. I actually liked the production, despite some of the DUMB translations. I do not read titles, but I hear some were really silly.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:21am EDT

Der Rosenkavalier from 1949

Under the direction of the legendary Fritz Reiner, we present an all-star Rosenkavalier featuring the beloved late Rise Stevens, Eleanor Steber, Erna Berger, Emanuel List, Martha Lipton, and Giuseppe Di Stefano. The only time in all my opera-going in which I totally "lost it," was at the finale of the trio. Many people have considered the Rosenkavalier trio as the most sublime moment in ALL opera. I surely agree.  (70 min.)

Direct download: Rosenkavalier_1949.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:06pm EDT

When I was young and somewhat normal.


  May I share with you (whether you care or not) one of the really delightful experiences of my early opera-going, when my friends and I had nothing to do in the summer, with no MET! A dear friend, Joan Abel, invented a take-off on the famous Monopoly game and called it "Monoperaly" Each of the players had little pieces of papers with singers names and points. We had big fistfights first when we had to decide how many points a Flagstad would get compared to a Baum.
       The concept was that if you rolled the dice (no rolling Marijuana cigarettes at that time) and landed on an OPERA (Joanie covered the usual places with names of operas, so if i landed on BORIS and could cast it with the singers in my collection (with the approval of everyone),I could OWN IT, and if you ever landed on it, I could take your singers,if they were also appropriate..so for example,if you had  London,Siepi,Hines,etc..and i could cast it with YOUR singers, I got them (like money).
     One night i landed on Siegfried, but had only people like Peters, Valletti,etc. and I could not cast it..although I did argue for a "lyric Siegfried," but was voted down!!!
 Jail was BED....GO was "Va fuggi"(like Zinka in Trovatore), and some of the Community chest cards were things like "Zinka falls on your head..go back 5 spaces," or "Pick a singer from the "bank" without looking and you have to go to BED with the singer.(I once got BAUM!!!)
     So you see how much crazy fun we had, but I was very immature then,and as you know I am now ready for more intelligent games like "Potsy" and " Kill the tenor."
     There was once an opera game called "Triviata," and i wonder if it still in existence. Maybe some of you more intelligent people could think of something (keep it clean) we could do online that might be fun for mature opera lovers..but you will NEVER match Monoperaly.
     Thanks Joanie,wherever you are!!!!! Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 11:50pm EDT

Anja Silja,Phillip Langridge and Roberta Alexander combine in the great finale of Janacek's Jenufa, one of the finest operas ever written.

Category:general -- posted at: 9:20pm EDT

La Forza Del Destino from 1957

 You know by now how much I loved the beloved Leyla Gencer, sometimes flawed, but nevertheless,one of the most important sopranos. Here are excerpts from a 1957  la Scala Forza under Antonino Votto, with Giuseppe di Stefano,Cesare Siepi,Aldo Protti, and Franco Calabrese (Marchese).  (73 min.)

Direct download: Forza_Leyla.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:55pm EDT

RAI Italian Artists

A compilation of some of the most important Italian artists from around the 1950-1960 period. Included are Tito Gobbi, Magda Olivero, Anita Cerquetti, Cesare Valletti, Paolo Silveri, Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, Rosanna Carteri, Mario Filippeschi, Renata Tebaldi, Ebe Stignani, and Giuseppe Di Stefano. (70 min.)

Direct download: RAI_artists.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:19pm EDT

The Pearl Fishers with Nicolai Gedda

 When do I get to hear anything? There is just too much, and I wonder whatever possessed me to have items like "The Complete Works of The Rolling Stones."(Lord Forbid!!).However, some performances stand out in one's memory, and this Carnegie Hall 1974 Pearl Fishers under Eve Queler, with Nicolai Gedda (the GOD of the tenor voice), Renato Bruson (still active at 77), and Christiane Eda-Pierre is special to me. Especially thrilling is the version of the final trio, not always perfomed these days, and of course Gedda's high C pianissimo at the end of the aria is in itelf a tremendous achievement. I know you will enjoy this. (71 min.)

Direct download: Pearl_F.Gedda.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:31pm EDT

  On that terribly tragic evening, March 4, 1960, we never got to hear the cabaletta to this aria, because Warren's last words were, "E salvo, o gioija." On the occasion of his birthday (Apr.21, 1911),I present the aria as he often sang it at the Met, with the fabulous ending. He was a great man and we still mourn his tragic passing.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT

Parsifal From Rome, 1956

 A superb Parsifal from Rome, 1956 under Eugen Jochum featuring Wolfgang Windgassen, Martha Moedl,Herman Uhde (Klingsor), Ferdinand Frantz (Amfortas), and Ludwig Weber (Gurnemanz.)  

(73 min.)

Direct download: Parsifal_Jochum.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:01pm EDT

Ballo in Maschera from 1963

Highlights from a brilliant Ballo under Nello Santi from 1963. The cast includes Birgit Nilsson, Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Mattiwila Dobbs, and Jean Madeira. Note that the way it was tracked did noit allow me to include some key material.  (61 min.)

Direct download: Ballo_1963_Nilsson.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:46am EDT

Met Closing, 1966

 A few years ago,I had published the final night of the old Met, Apr.16, 1966, and this week was the (sad) anniversary of the closing. I think something happened to the post, and I will do a three-part podcast fairly soon. It was a sad occasion, but I am glad I have the memories.

Category:general -- posted at: 5:53pm EDT

The great soprano Anna Netrebko has a great time,as does the audience, in this fabulous rendition of the Giuditta Aria. I saw her do this live, and the voice is HUGE!!!!! I feel she is the greatest soprano of our time!!!!!! I think she was "with child" here.

Category:general -- posted at: 2:01am EDT

Maria Muller Sings

A compilation (announced) of material as sung by the radiant Maria Muller. This indeed is a superb voice, and I know you will enjoy her art.  (71 min.)

Direct download: Maria_Muller.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:04pm EDT

Il Trovatore from Naples, 1951

A rather "unsubtle" but exciting Naples 1951 Trovatore, conducted by Tullio Serafin, with Maria Callas in her prime, Paolo Silveri, Cloe Elmo, and an aging Giacomo Lauri-Volpi (I think the Pira is booed). This is the kind of show we never experience today;it has its flaws, but it is really mostly quite exciting.  (72 min.)

Direct download: Callas_1951_Trov..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:01pm EDT

Licia's Met Farewell

 The most beloved Licia Albanese in her Met farewell as Manon Lescaut. At this writing, Licia is over 100, and one of the most loved opera artists in our time. Richard Tucker and Mario Sereni complete the cast. This is a 1966 performance under Kurt Adler.   (71 min.)

Direct download: Lescaut_Licia_3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:45am EDT

  Leonie does not care if it is concert..she still lets out her famous GESCHREI!!!!! She will never ever be replaced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

 When I first met Sam in 1970, when we were rehearsing "Anna Bolena," we all realized that some day Sam would realize his dreams, and go on to have a great career.It was NOT an "Impossible dream." Sam just did a run of "Bluebeard's Castle," which will probably be his last stage work, but not bad to have a career that spanned over 40 years. My best always to a wonderful Basilio (to my Bartolo).

Category:general -- posted at: 1:39pm EDT

After the remarkable triumph of Michael Fabiano in I Lombardi last week, I want to offer another example of his art. Trust me...this is NOT souped up! He just opens his mouth and out flows tone after tone of sheer beauty and power. As long he does not listen to me, he will do the roles that are appropriate and last 25 more years.

Category:general -- posted at: 12:27pm EDT

More brilliant tenors are coming along. Bryan has a wonderful brilliant voice, and he joins our "new crop" of tenors..We are fortunate to have him!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:25pm EDT

Callas, Negri, Galvany, and now APRILE!!!!! No one does this anymore!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:55pm EDT

Can we associate any other singer with ONE NOTE???? I just long-distance texted Zinka, and she says  she was having an "Enzo Adorato" contest with Ponselle...Who won????

Category:general -- posted at: 7:37pm EDT

So sad a day,Apr.13, 1966, when my all-time favorite singer,Zinka Milanov,retired from the Met stage. NO ONE has even touched her...and no one will!!!!!!  Sadly,today,no one has learned to kick their Tosca train like Zinka....well,you can't have it all!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:12pm EDT

 Dear Aprile Millo,one of the kindest and most loving ladies, was born in "Aprile"..On the 14th. We wish her the happiest of birthdays.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:18am EDT

Give me 5 minutes in a time machine and this is pick number one!!!!!!!!!!! Makes me crazy!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 6:42pm EDT

Don Giovanni From TV 1960

An abridged Don Giovanni (exc.) from NBC TV in 1960, in English.It stars Cesare Siepi,Leontyne Price, Judith Raskin (Zerlina), Helen George (Elvira), Charles K.L.Davis (Ottavio), James Pease (Leporello), John Reardon (Masetto), and John Macurdy (Commendatore.) The conductor is Peter Herman Adler.   (55 min.)

Direct download: Don_G.Eng.TV.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:10pm EDT

 Happy birthday to the famous Montserrat,who holds the record for the longest high note in Met history!!!!!!!!!!!!.   Apr.12, 1933.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:37am EDT

  Angela Meade, Michael Fabiano,Kevin Short in the Lombardi Trio from Apr.8.

This is a revelation for us in NYC.We have not been treated to this kind of singing for quite a while.   (Ever since i saw Tamagno's first Otello.)

     Michael is Fabianolous!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 6:16pm EDT

Das Rheingold from 1952

A NDR (German Radio) performance of highlights from a 1952 Das Rheingold under Wilhelm Schuchter. Some of the great artists of that era are heard,especially those "black voices."

Ferdinand Frantz  (Wotan)    Gottlob Frick  (Fasolt)    Josef Greindl (Fafner)

Gustav Neidlinger (Alberich)  Wolfgang Windgassen  (Loge)  Paul Kuen (Mime)

Res Fischer (Fricka and Erda)   Josef Metternich (Donner)       (72 min.)

Direct download: Rheingold_1952.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:01pm EDT

This will give you some idea of why the audience last night went ballistic at Michael's "La mia letizia." Still, you MUST hear him live to derive the total picture..but you can get some idea here.

Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm EDT

The Fabulous Fab!!!


      Pardon me as i do some unusual gushing in regard to last evening's OONY 's " I Lombardi" under Eve Queler. In the olden days, we had no Youtube and all the exposure to voices before we heard them live, and as i recall hearing voices like Antonietta Stella, Daniele Barioni, etc. the revelation was something i will never forget.
        I had only heard Micgael Fabiano live as cassio, plus some Youtube selections, but you know you MUST be there to enjoy a voice properly, and when Michael Fabiano concluded the "La mia letizia infondere,"the first live aria I ever heard from him (Cassio does not tell too much), the audience gave him one of the most prolonged and LOUDEST ovations since I attended Lillian Nordica's first performance.
           Mr.Fabiano has a positively glorious lirico-spinto voice of such glamor that you bask in every tone, something akin to early Carreras, and Fabiano's voice fills the hall with the kind of ravishing tone that makes you almost feel he has some kind of electronic device in his throat. In every vocal situation, not just when his voice goes into the passaggio, you hear true glory, and when he stood in a side box to sing the "ghost of Oronte," it was totally captivating, as the voice rang out throught the theatre. Michael is only 28, and he better not listen to me, because I already have him singing everything in the tenor repertory;however, I do hope as Alfred in Fledermaus next season, they allow at least five arias in the prison scene.
So you see, the Avery Fisher audience, offering him huge ovations, knew exactly what he is about, and on Franco's birthday, another star was born in New York.
          Angela Meade is an immensly talented singer, another star of the documenatary, "The Audition," and shge has an unusual way of sailing into these high high pianissimi, where you think the tone is soft, and gets even softer,up to high C;I believe she can probably do the same thing above a C, and for a dramatic soprano, this is most unusual. The fortes are brilliant and ride over the ensembles, and I look forward to her Norma next season.
         Where has Kevin Short been all my life? What a gorgeous,rich basso voice!! He said he has not been at the Met in many years...their big loss. In the trio (a quartet,if you count the solo violinist, he emitted such beautiful tones, and he surely belongs way up there with the finest bassos in my experience.
          Making his OONY debut was tenor  Noah Baetge, possessive of a voice of great brilliance, and thrilling us with a very long-held high C in act three. It was nice to see  Brandon Cedel, recent winner of the Met auditions (I picked him immediately) in the role of Pirro. He definitely is headed for a big career. The superb New York Choral Society added a tremendous thrill to the evening, and I really had not paid enough attention to this, Verdi's fourth opera, which should be perfomred more often.
            I want MORE of this in my life!!!!   As ever  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 10:34am EDT

Franco Corelli's Birthday

For April 8, I present a tribute to Franco Corelli, Born 1921. He was one of the greatest tenors in opera history.  (Selections are announced.)  (71 min.)

Direct download: Corelli_2013_birth..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:48pm EDT

MIO DIO!!!!  I saw Franco's Romeo but do not know if he did what he does here..Mamma mia!! And he  worried about anything?????? I just went ballistic!! (Muti would kill him!!!!!)

Category:general -- posted at: 8:01pm EDT

Renata Tebaldi as Mme.Butterfly

A 1958 Naples Mme.Butterfly under Angelo Questa, starring Renata Tebaldi,Giani Raimondi, Giuseppe Valdengo, and Anna Di Stasio.(72 min.). Please be aware that although the sound is superb, the prompter is rather loud.

Direct download: Butt.Tebaldi.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:27pm EDT

  I attended the first Turandot in 1961 and let me tell you,it was one of the greatest things in my memory. Stokowski stopped after the "Nessun dorma," because he knew we would go nuts, and then re-started the music.

    Even without Loretta, Franco might have still been a difficult guy, but he was adored by so many, and no one..NO ONE has taken his place in this repertory!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:56am EDT

My favorite Corelli moment..The high C on the "e" vowel in the Poliuto aria....Drives me nuts!!! We miss you,Franco!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:51am EDT

Tannhauser 1936

Highlights from a Golden-Age-of-Wagner Tannhauser in 1936,under Artur Bodansky. It features, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior,Lawrence Tibbett, Emmanuel List, and Margaret Halstead. In those days they did make cuts in Wagnerian performances, but I am not sure if the cuts involve this music. If you do know the opera well, you will possibly hear some cuts. I know it is a bit longer to sit through Wagner these days, BUT I hate cuts (unless everyone is terrible.)   (71 min.)

Direct download: Tannh.1936.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:31pm EDT

It was my great pleasure last evening to hear Piotr Beczala as Faust at the Met. More and more of us are calling him the "new Gedda," although he possesses his own unique voice and style. His new Verdi and operetta CD's will be coming out soon, and I will play a few selections for you.(with his permission.)

   The unusual event last night occured when he introduced me to the son of the famous Polish tenor, Jan Kiepura, who proceeded to telephone his mother, the legendary 101 year old Martha Eggerth. This was a wonderful extra treat for me, and I must tell you that I was quite taken by the experience,especially after Piotr sang so magnificently. You know I have been around awhile and I tell you that Piotr is fast becoming a very special artist in the opera world.

Category:general -- posted at: 8:09pm EDT

Verdi Ballet Music

Ballet Music from Verdi Operas; Vespri, Macbeth, Trovatore, Don Carlo, Otello. Edward Downes conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra  (70 min.)  

Direct download: Verdi_Ballet.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:57pm EDT

The Magnificent Hans Hotter

A selection of arias from commercial discs, 1939-1943 by the legendary Hans Hotter.  The arias and scenes (in this order) are from Hans Heiling (Marschner),The Flying Dutchman, Die Meistersinger, Die Walkure, Aida (with Hilde Scheppan),Otello, Falstaff, and Pagliacci. All material such in German.   (68 min.)

Direct download: Hotter_Preiser.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:44pm EDT

Martha Moedl as Klytaemnestra

A "mini-cast" of the great Confrontation Scene in Elektra, from 1964 under Arnold Quennet, featuring the remarkable Martha Moedl and Marijke van del Lugt.   (17 min.)

Direct download: Moedl_Klyt..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:59am EDT

Siegfried Final Scene, 1972

The last scene of Siegfried from1972 under Erich Leinsdorf with the exciting Ursula Schroeder-Feinen and Helge Brilioth.  (38 min.)

Direct download: Sieg.Schroeder.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:03pm EDT

The Art of Piero Cappuccilli

  This amazing baritone was noted not only for his voice, but for his superb Italianate style, and for the amazing ability to sing notes that only a tiny number of baritones sang.(Traviata,Attila B Flats).We hear arias (in this order) from:

Puritani,Luisa Miller,Traviata.Ernani,Ballo, Faust,Forza,Il Guarany,Zaza, and Andrea Chenier. 

(68 min.)

Direct download: Cappuc..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:03pm EDT

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