This unfortunate lady, related to the Del Monaco family, had consumed too many tranquilizers prior to this performance. I know it is funny, but so tragic. They really should have halted the proceedings, because this is so sad, even in the hilarity it produced all over Youtube.

Category:general -- posted at: 12:16am EDT

  Just listen to Schipa saying,"Suzel,buon di" and you know what elegance of style means. The Favero/Schipa Fritz duet is an example of a style long gone from our opera scene;they are too busy giving us a "show," and I am sorry..I say this always, but I would like to know if there is ONE TEACHER who understands this brand of artistry.(Probably Soviero does.)

Category:general -- posted at: 12:11am EDT

  In the temporary absence of my podcasts, I can analyze some material the way I do on my podcasts. Here is a perfect example of how Maria Callas, despite vocal imperfections (although this is in her prime), could thrill us to no end by her knowldge of Italian style and remarkable phrasing. This is an example of what she was as a great artist. I always marvel at what she does with
"small moments"
in the opera repertory;as much as I love Anna Netrebko, her new Verdi album is lacking in this kind of detailed approach to phrasing.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:59pm EDT

Our Facebook diva-friend, Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs in the Stefan Herheim Salome..Yes, he is "strange" but it seems to work. I am still conflicted about different productions these days because they are,on some level, entertaining, and even clever...but at the same time i often wonder if we are going too far!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:28am EDT

  In case you might not know that now they are putting on a tremendous number of COMPLETE operas on Youtube. Go to Google and click on "Complete Operas." Here is one of them:

Category:general -- posted at: 4:46pm EDT

  Someone as delusional as I am decided to do a "Summertime Mix" and please do not let small children and any animals in the room when you play this, because we do not want to cause emotional disaster!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:31pm EDT

 I have already posted this Puritani duet as sung by Ed Rosen and myself years ago. We should have called it "The Pirates sing Puritani" or the "Pirate cantano" I Puritani."  As usual,Ed hams it up on the final A flat, but on a good day in my shower I can do it. We did have a lot of fun doing this at the Belle Epoque restaurant, and no one lost their meal.

Category:general -- posted at: 4:12pm EDT

"Perle Nere" or "Black pearls' is the term often used for opera disasters. My feeling here is that singers are human (really??) and we expect so much of them.We do not realize that what they do is a "miracle" and with a few exceptions, what you will hear is just an example of how hard it is to get out there on a regular basis and perform. There are a few selections perhaps that are "accidents"(like the Carmen who overdosed on pills).

   Let's give them a break!!  I say this,remembering I once had to laugh at myself for cracking like mad as Monterone, when I just started singing and did not have the proper technique. I remember saying that if I was in the audience I would have laughed at this guy!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:04pm EDT

I discovered this beautiful Tchaikowsky opera when I was Marisa Galvany's doctor in a production we did many years ago. I will see Onegin soon with Mme.Netrebko and Piotr Beczala and a later one with the happy return of Rolando Villazon. Here they are in the beautiful duet and i know you will enjoy it.

I hope you are enjoying these videos while I await the return of my "Computer Doctor."

Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

This 1920 Africaine aria drives me NUTS!!!!! Caruso died a year later. What a fabulous sound he makes..Note the combination of lyric and dramatic tone..and those "vowel sounds" in every part of the range, and when he goes above the passaggio, it makes me thrill every time!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:45pm EDT

  Thanks for your patience!! Still ome glitches but I will have things done soon..So, just a bit more time and thn will have the podcasts running again...

Category:general -- posted at: 11:58pm EDT

 Yma Sumac, famous for her incredible range (born Sept. 10, 1927) gets mad and hits a high Q# and leaves the stage.

I am sending some videos to you while i wait to do podcasts again.  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Magda Olivero (Manon aria) accompanied by Iris Adami-Coradetti.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:00pm EDT

  Hi all,

    I am updating my Windows system, so please bear with me until I am ready for new podcasts.

                                 My best    Charlie

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

Roberto Devereux with Leyla Gencer

 In my extremely unhumble opinion, I have long considered Leyla Gencer, despite the scoops and the "camp chest" one of the greatest singers. Not every artist possesses a "pure" voice, and  many of us have understood that a Moedl, a Kabaiwanska, an Olivero, a Callas, etc. can excite us as much,or even more than an artist known more for beauty of tone.

 This Roberto Devereux, from Naples 1964 under Mario Rossi should illustrate that point. In the cast are also Piero Cappuccilli, the great legendary baritone, Ruggero Bondino, and Anna Maria Rota.(69 min.)

   In 1972, following a Gencer Attila, we had a party for her;my friend made sure no other diva's photos were on the wall; a few months later, at another party, in walked Raina Kabaiwanska, who exclaimed, "What is this,a SHRINE?"   (It was!!!)

Direct download: Devereux_Gencer.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:11pm EDT

 I will soon present highlights, with Magda Olivero, of this beautiful Mascagni Opera, Iris. In this scene you hear the beautiful voice of Yohihisha Yamaji, who sadly passed away in his 30's. This scene is presented to give you some idea of the beautiy of the work ahead of presenting the podcast.

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

  Sept. 2, 1896.Birthday of another great verismo soprano..WHY? WHY? This is a lost art.I have bored you to death with my critique of today's lack of this Italian style. After Muzio,Favero,Zeani, Scotto, Soviero..it is GONE!!  Georghiu has it, but the voice is just too small in the opera house. I miss singers like Pampanini so much.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:19pm EDT

Adriana Lecouvreur w.Olivero and Domingo

 Presenting the great (age 63) Magda Olivero in an Adriana from Newark,New Jersey in 1973 under Alfredo Silipigni. She is joined by Placido Domingo,Maria Luisa Nave, and Enzo Sordello (71 min.)

As we have always known by her recordings, Olivero is a miracle of style and emotion. I am so happy to have seen her live in Tosca and Fedora. She is now 104 and we hope she goes on forever, and she will always be "forever" in our hearts.

Direct download: Adriana_Oliv.Dom..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:55pm EDT

Ramon Vinay as Otello

In celebration of the birthday (August 31, 1917) of Ramon Vinay, we present a fabulous 1948 Otello under Fritz Busch and featuring Licia Albanese in her prime, Lepnard Warren,John Garris, Nicola Moscona, and Martha Lipton.  (70 min.)

 This is the brand of performance that can lift you up by nature of its excitement and the total commitment of these artists to their roles.

Direct download: Otello_Vinay.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:46am EDT

Falstaff for Regina Resnik's Birthday

 In honor of and in loving memory of dear Regina Resnik, whose would have turned 91 on August 30, I present a fine Falstaff from Covent Garden 1961, under Carlo Maria Giulini. Dame Quickly was one of the famous Resnik "signature roles," and she is joined by Geraint Evans,Mirella Freni, Luigi Alva, John Shaw, and Josephine Veasey.    (71 min.)

Direct download: Falstaff_Resnik.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:58am EDT

 Tucker and Tebaldi make you THRILL like nothing imaginable today!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:19pm EDT

A Collector's Herodiade

   Material from Massenet's "Herodiade" as sung by many famous artists, and some lesser-known but quite fine. I have divided this into three sections and here is the order of each section as to artists.The selections are announced, as you hear.

1. Ninon Vallin, Germaine Cernay, Geori-Boue and Jose Luccioni, Charles Cambon, Maryse Beaujon

2.  Cambon, Cesar Vezzani, Vezzani and Jeanne Guyla, Emma Calve, Edouard Rouard,Fernand Ansseau.

3. Paul Lanteri, Lise Charny, Leon Campagnola, Vallin, Mattia Battistini.    (67 min.)

Direct download: Herodiade_Collectors.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:36pm EDT

Richard Tucker's 100th Anniversary

  The beloved tenor, Richard Tucker, was born on August 28, 1913. Of all the tenors I have seen, he remains the greatest! It was a glorious voice, and to quote Regina Resnik, "He left his blood all over the stage." The selections (announced)  are from recitals in New York of 1972 and 1974, plus two Andrea Chenier excerpts and the "Rachel" aria from La Juive.

   Bless the memory of this great man!  I will never forget him!!   Charlie

Direct download: Tucker_100th.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:38pm EDT

 Aug.28, 1913. One hundred years ago, the great Richard Tucker was born. He remains my all-time favorite tenor of those whom I saw live. He sometimes got a "bad rap" for chopping some phrases. Yes, this did happen at times, BUT listen to this glorious Andrea Chenier act two scene as an example of legato,and the thrilling "hook' into the top notes. In the theatre it was something sublime!

   Bless his memory forever!  There will never be another!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm EDT

Anna in Verdi

 Two selections from Anna Netrebko's new Verdi album. They are from Vespri Siciliani and il Trovatore. See what you think!!  (7 min.)

Direct download: Netrebko_Verdi2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Che Gelida Manina vol.4

Another comparison podcast on the wonderful "Che gelida manina" aria as sung by the following tenors (in order):

Eduardo Garbin, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Giovanni Martinelli, Luigi Marini, Frederick Jagel, Armand Tokatyan, Giuseppe Giacomini, Peter Dvorsky, Francisco Araiza, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Frank Lopardo, Ramon Vargas, Richard Leech, and Marcello Giordani    (70 min.)

Direct download: Che_Gelida_Vol.3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:49am EDT

Four Famous Bassos

Selections (announced) by four of the most remarkable bassos in opera history. The singers are: Adamo Didur, Tancredi Pasero, Nazareno de Angelis, and Jose Mardones  (50 min.)

Direct download: Four_famous_bassos.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:04pm EDT

Attila-Nabucco w.Caterina Mancini

Highlights from a 1951 RAI Venice Attila w.Caterina Mancini,Italo Tajo, Giangiacomo Guelfi, and Gino Penno, under Vittorio Gui. This is followed by some Nabucco scenes from 1951 RAI with Caterina Mancini and Paolo Silveri.  (70 min.)

Direct download: Attila-NabMancini.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:23am EDT

    Magda shows us how to breathe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lVY-ZkkRII

Here is your "homework" for today. I want you to pore over ALL your opera experience...and see if you can think of ANY MIRACLE that can compare with what the  "baby' 66 (not 65) year old Magda Olivero Does here....singing,emotion,breath control,phrasing, over-all attention to detail of the line, absolute control.etc...you name it....I would be hard-pressed to find anything like this lady in this rare film...and remember that  if you look on youtube you will find this  is evident in her 80's in live material.....and maybe even now at 104..well,I do not want to push it.   Life would not be the same for me without her!!!!!

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

Kirsten Flagstad-1914-1939 Recordings

  (Announced)  Marvelous singing by the treasured Kirsten Flagstad in opera and song. No words can adequately describe the fabulous career of this great lady. I know you will love it.  (71 min.)

Direct download: Flagstad_Early.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:54pm EDT

  The great Regina Resnik was laid to rest today. I am so glad I visited with her on her 90th birthday.On August 30, she would have been 91. I lost two of my "icons" this year, Rise and Regina, but I knew Regina for over 50 years. She had a phenomenal intellect, plus a great sense of humor. I will miss her, and at least have all my memories of superb performances, live and on recordings.

 One of my friends once joked about her being so exacting in her portrayals and said, "When she enters heaven, she might complain that the pearly gates open in and not out!!"

   I will always treasure my happy memories of her, on and off stage,.

                                                        Sincerely,  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 10:50pm EDT

 I feel so sorry for the new-born kid's mother as his first cries were heard about 5 blocks away!!!!!  SQUILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:26am EDT

  Ashley Putnam surely is a fine singer, and her birthday was August 10. However, my remembrance of her for the first time at her City Opera debut in 1977 is clouded by the insane lady who got up and gave a "Geschrei,"To this day,we never found out what really happened.

  I told the tenor Henry Price I was there..and he replied, "SO WAS I!!"  What a trouper!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:10am EDT

   Another example of Regina's marvelous singing!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:04am EDT

  She could do it ALL!!!  Director,producer,filmmaker,teacher,coach, and, oh YES, a huge opera career. I will miss her!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:33am EDT

REST IN PEACE, DEAR REGINA RESNIK

Today, August 9, 2013, is a sad day for me and for all opera lovers. We have lost dear Regina Resnik, one of music's greatest icons, and a dear friend for over 50 years. Let us listen to arias and scenes from her dual career,as soprano and mezzo (announced), and spiritually thank her for all she contributed in the world of music.  Pictured is the album I made for her. (61 min.)

Rest in Peace, my dear friend.

Direct download: Resnik_Memorial.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:23pm EDT

Regina Resnik, my friend,rest in peace.

  It is with the deepest sympathy that I announce to you the passing of my dear Regina Resnik, an icon in the world of music, and a dear friend for over 50 years. I will have more details as they come in, and will do special tributes. Regina would have turned 91 on August 30, and last August at 90, we had a lovely visit.

       My tears flow but I know she will be in my heart forever.

                                                                            Charlie

    

Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm EDT

Great Singers in Puccini Scenes

From various commercial recordings, we present scenes (announced) from Puccini operas, featuring many of the great stars of the recent past. They include:

Carlo Bergonzi, Roberto Alagna,Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Jussi Bjoerling, Mirella Freni, Renata Tebaldi, Kiri Te Kanawa, Montserrat Caballe, Sherril Milnes, Joan Sutherland,Rolando Panerai,Leo Nucci and Franco Corelli.  (68 min.)

Direct download: Puccini_Commerc.vol.2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:35pm EDT

Five Famous Singers from 1905-1918

Selections from the earlier part of the 20th century, featuring the marvelous voices of:

Frieda Hempel, (pictured),Lucien Muratore, Celestina Boninsegna, Jacques Urlus, and Margarete Matzenauer. All selections are announced   (68 min.)


Direct download: Souven.of_opera-vol.2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:49am EDT

Famous Artists on Radio in the 1940's

Here are selections from live radio programs in the 1940's. (Selections announced.) Some of the finest singers are included: Eleanor Steber, Charle Kullman, Beniamino Gigli, Erna Berger, Eugene Conley, Rose Bampton, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Pia Tassinari, Rise Stevens, Dorothy Maynor, Alexander Kipnis.   (55 min.)

 (Photo: Eleanor Steber)

Direct download: Radio_artists_1940s_Vol.3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Vassilka Petrova

 Thank HEAVEN mommy was not around to hear this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vassilka hits the greatest unnatural B natural in captivity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

   Has anyone had a problem burning a podcast on to a disc??I received word that the Dorothy Kirsten Tosca was a "restricted' item and could not be burned. Write to me at Placido21@aol.com if any problem exists and i will contact the libsyn helpdesk.   Thanks  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 1:15pm EDT

Zinka Milanov 1965-1966

  Zinka Milanov material mostly from 1965-1966. Some I have presented previously, but it is nice to hear her last appearances (in Newark and Trenton, New Jersey). I added the Covent Garden Vissi d'arte from 1958, the famous "Enzo adorato" note from 1957, and Zinka speaking of hr career in 1976 and 1978.(70 min.)

    I have announced all selections and the photo you see is Zinka and the 20 year old kid who stood on the old Met Standee Line for hours, as we all froze while waiting for the doors to open. I would not trade it for anything.

    Zinka was not exactly a "umille ancella,' and once said, "No vun can take my chair!" She was right!

Direct download: Zinka_1965-1966.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:59pm EDT

Macbeth from Berlin, Part 2

The second part of the Berlin 1980 Macbeth with Olivia Stapp and Renato Bruson  (51 min.)

Direct download: Macbeth_Stapp2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:45pm EDT

Macbeth with Olivia Stapp-Part One.

 The first part of a marvelous live Macbeth from Berlin, 1980 under Giuseppe Sinopoli. Olivia Stapp and Renato Bruson (still singing close to age 80) are the evil pair, with Victor von Halen as Banquo and Veriano Luchetti as Macduff.  (51 nin.)

Direct download: Macbeth_Stapp-1a.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:26pm EDT

Pique Dame from 1972

One of my personal favorite operas, this Pique Dame under Kazimierz Kord features Nicolai Gedda,Raina Kabaiwanska, Regina Resnik, John Reardon (Tomsky), and William Walker (Yeletsky) (70 min.

Direct download: Pique_Dame_Gedda.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:44am EDT

Dorothy Kirsten's 25th Anniversary Tosca at SFO

When Dorothy Kirsten passed away, we learned she was born about 10 years later than we thought;this Tosca in 1970 from San Francisco under James Levine is therefore more amazing than we thought, so she was closer to age 70 than was originally reported. Placido Domingo and Louis Quilico join her in this nostalgic presentation.  (74 min.)

Direct download: Tosca_Kirsten_25th-2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:14pm EDT

La Boheme with Licia Albanese

The 100 year old plus Licia Albanese and Carlo Bergonzi head the cast of this 1958 Boheme under Thomas Schippers. Laurel Hurley, Mario Sereni, Norman Scott, and Clifford Harvuot complete the cast of this truly beautiful performance.  (73 min.)

Direct download: Boheme_Met_1958.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:28am EDT

Mario del Monaco, Born July 27, 1915

The very first singer I ever saw on a stage (Radames 1951). I saw him 40 times.he was NOT a "shouter," but tried his best to shade that enormous "bronze column of sound." We simply adored this man, who gave 1000% every night!!!!! Bless his memory!

Del Monaco was born in Florence to a musical upper-class family.[2] As a young boy he studied the violin but had a passion for singing. He graduated from the Rossini Conservatory at Pesaro, where he first met and sang with Renata Tebaldi, with whom he would form something of an operatic dream team of the 1950s. His early mentors as a singer included Arturo Melocchi, his teacher at Pesaro, and Maestro Raffaelli, who recognized his talent and helped launch his career.

That career began in earnest with Del Monaco's debut on December 31, 1940, as Pinkerton at the Puccini Theater in Milan. (His initial appearance in an opera had occurred the previous year, however, in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana in Pesaro.) He sang in Italy during the Second World War and married, in 1941, Rina Filipini. In 1946, he appeared at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for the first time. During the ensuing years he became famous not only in London but also across the operatic world for his powerful, metallic voice. It was almost heldentenor-like in scope but Del Monaco was no Wagnerian, confining his activities overwhelmingly to the Italian repertoire.

Del Monaco sang at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1951 to 1959, enjoying particular success in dramatic Verdi parts such as Radamès. He soon established himself as one of four Italian tenor superstars who reached the peak of their fame in the 1950s and '60s, the others being Giuseppe Di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi and Franco Corelli. Del Monaco's trademark roles during this period were Giordano's Andrea Chénier and Verdi's Otello. He first tackled Otello in 1950 and kept refining his interpretation throughout his career. It is said that he sang Otello an astonishing 427 times. However, the book published by Elisabetta Romagnolo, Mario Del Monaco, Monumentum aere perennius, Azzali 2002, lists only 218 appearances by him as Otello, which is a more realistic figure. Aptly, the tenor was buried in his Otello costume. Although Otello was his best role, throughout his career, Del Monaco sang a number of other roles with great acclaim, for example: Canio in Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Radames in Aida (Verdi), Don Jose in Carmen (Bizet), Chenier in Andrea Chénier (Giordano), Manrico in Il trovatore (Verdi), Samson in Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saëns), and Don Alvaro in La forza del destino (Verdi).

Del Monaco made his first recordings in Milan in 1948 for HMV. Later, he was partnered by Renata Tebaldi in a long series of Verdi and Puccini operas recorded for Decca. On the same label was his 1969 recording of Giordano's Fedora, opposite Magda Olivero and Tito Gobbi.

Category:general -- posted at: 1:17pm EDT

An "I Puritani" for the Ages!!!

  The audience reaction to this Philadelphia 1963 Puritani under Richard Bonynge tells the story! This is indeed the kind of bravura singing that thrills you beyond compare. Joan Sutherland and Nicolai Gedda head a cast that also features Justino Diaz, Ernest Blanc, and  Betty Allen. The "Vieni fra queste braccia" duet is in the high key and the attacks on those D's cause pandemonium in the theatre. Enjoy!  (72 min.)

Direct download: Puritani_Gedda.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:57am EDT

William Tell with Paolo Silveri

A RAI 1954 recording of highlights from William Tell under Nino Sanzogno. It features the beloved Paolo Silveri, who sent this CD to me. The king of the high notes, Mario Filippeschi is the Arnoldo, with Anna Maria Rovere as Matilda, Nicola Zaccaria as Gessler, Raffaele Arie as Gualtiero,, Margherita Benetti as Jemmy, and Giannella Borelli as Edwige.     (71 min.)

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

Don Carlo With Some Fine artists

  Here are some scenes from a 2004 Philadelphia Don Carlo with some superb artists.The conductor is Maurizio Barbacini, and the cast is headed by Eduardo Villa, a tenor I have just "discovered," and I hope we see much more of him. The cast also includes Angela Brown, Ewa Podles, Franco Vassallo, and Vitalij Kowaljow. I find that whoever recorded this was sitting a bit closer to the orchestra than I would like, but the voices come through pretty well.  (72 min.)

Direct download: DC_Villa.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:23pm EDT

Boris Godunov With Mark Reizen

 Highlights from a Bolshoi 1948 recording of Boris Godunov under Nikolay Golovanov. The famous Mark Reizen is the Boris and the cast features Georgy Nelepp (Dimiitri), Nikhander Khanayev (Shuiski), Maria Maksakova (Marina), Maksim Mikhailov (Pimen), Vassily Lubenzov (Varlaam), and Ivan Koslovsky (The Simpleton.)   (65 min.)

NOTE: Error in the photo.Reizen and not Pirogov is the Boris.

Direct download: Boris_Nelepp.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:54pm EDT

Happy Birthday to Licia Albanese

  Licia was born on July 22, but perhaps earlier than 1913. She remains a legend in opera history. I met her a few times and it was like touching history, considering her career. Here she kisses the stage, with great affection, at the old Met closing.

Category:general -- posted at: 9:49am EDT

Zelmira

Rossini's rarely heard opera "Zelmira," from San Carlo 1965 under Carlo Franci. The cast is as follows:

   Virginia Zeani (Zelmira), Gastone Limarilli (Antenore), Nicola Tagger (Ilo), Anna Maria Rota (Emma), and Paolo Washington (Polidoro.)   (69 min.)

The Mytilene warriors are mourning the death of Azor. Antenore, with the help of Leucippo, plots to take over the throne of Lesbos by trying to incriminate Zelmira in the deaths of Azor and her father. At first, even Emma, Zelmira's confidante, believes the accusations. Fearing for the safety of her young son, Zelmira reveals to Emma that her father is still alive and asks her to take the child into hiding. Prince Ilo returns to the island. Zelmira is afraid to tell him of the accusations against her or to defend herself. Instead, Prince Ilo hears only Antenore's version of the story. Antenore is crowned King of Lesbos. Leucippo attempts to murder Ilo, but is stopped by Zelmira. Found with the dagger in her hand, Zelmira is now also accused of attempting to murder her husband and is imprisoned.

Act 2

Leucippo intercepts a letter from Zelmira to Ilo in which she tells him that her father is still alive and that the accusations against her are false. He and Antenore temporarily free her from prison and trick her into revealing her father's hiding place. Both father and daughter are recaptured and await their deaths at the hands of the plotters. Meanwhile, Prince Ilo is distraught at what he believes to be the death of Polidoro and the unhappy end to his marriage. Emma appears and tells Prince Ilo the truth about Zelmira. He and his men rescue Zelmira and Polidoro. Zelmira is happily reunited with her husband and child, while both Antenore and Leucippo are led off in chains.[3]


Direct download: Zelmira.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:40am EDT

Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs New Album

 Here are three exquisite selections from the new album with songs by Donaudy entitled "Vaghissima Sembianza" on the La Sirena Label. The selections are "Vaghissima Sembianza,"Tempo alfin di muover guerra," and "Oh del mio amato ben."

I am sure you will agree with me that Mme.Blancke-Biggs is one of our finest artists.

Direct download: Blancke-Biggs1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:14am EDT

The James Levine 25th Anniversary Gala

Highlights from James Levine's 25th Anniversary Gala in 1996. All selections are announced.

  We all will welcome the maestro as he returns to the Met in Cosi Fan Tutte on Sept.24, 2013.

(68 min.)

Direct download: Levine_Gala.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:40am EDT

Giuseppe Taddei in Il Trittico

The superb baritone,Giuseppe Taddei, appears as Michele in "Il Tabarro." This is from Venice, 1969 under Oliviero de Fabritiis. Angelo Mori is Luigi, Jolanda Michieli sings Giorgetta, and Anna Di Stasio is La Frugola.

    This is followed by some scenes from Gianni Schicchi with Taddei, Adriana Martino (Lauretta), Luciano Saldari (Rinuccio), and Mafalda Masini (Zita.)     (69 min.)

Direct download: Tabarro_Taddei.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:18pm EDT

Tosca with Birgit Nilsson

 From Philadelphia in 1963 under Carlo Moresco, here is an exciting Tosca, despite a somewhat distant sound. The cast includes Ferruccio Tagliavini and in a baritone role toward the end of his career, the famous Ramon Vinay. (70 min.)

Direct download: Tosca_Phil.1963.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:20am EDT

Fernando Portari

  ANOTHER superb young tenor...Go to YOUTUBE and see the clips of Fernando Portari.  I discovered him on the Rondine video w.Cedolins.That last scene breaks your heart!!! I highly recommend him, and you know I have seen good tenors....

Category:general -- posted at: 1:14am EDT

An Andrea Chenier for the Ages

  Tears came to my ancient eyes this morning as I made this 1966 Andrea Chenier podcast.  It brought back so many memories of my misspent youth and what Renata Tebaldi meant to us personally, and even though I go faithfully to the Met, they do not scream and carry on like this, because the "bigger-than-life" sounds of Tebaldi and Corelli just do not exist. Anselmo Colzani is the Gerard, with Raymond Michalski as Mathieu, William Walker as Roucher, and Andrea Velis as Incredibile. Lamberto Gardelli  conducts. (73 min.)

Ovations are cut on this tape, but I have heard it uncut and they go on forever!!!

Direct download: Chenier_1966.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:03am EDT

Beniamino Gigli in Manon Lescaut

  The great tenor (at 60) Beniamino Gigli in highlights from Manon Lescaut from RAi Milano,1950 under Alfredo Simonetto. Adriana Guerrini is the Manon,with Mario Boriello as Lescaut.

This is followed by Carmen highlights (in Italian) from 1949 under Vincenzo Belleza with daughter Rina and Ebe Stignani.  (66 min.)

Direct download: Lescaut_Gigli.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:44pm EDT

MANON LESCAUT with Diana Soviero

Highlights from a 1990 Manon Lescaut under Nello Santi from the Bastille,Paris. Diana Soviero is joined by tenor Vasile Moldoveanu.   (40 min.)

Direct download: Lescaut_Soviero.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:14am EDT

Ailyn Perez Album

Here are two excerpts from the beautiful new album recorded by Ailyn Perez, one of the finest young sopranos in the world of opera. She sings the song "Del cabello mas sutil" and the Manon aria "Adieu,notre petite table." I highly recommend this album to opera lovers everywhere.  (8 min.)

Direct download: Perez.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:13pm EDT

LA WALLY

From La Scala, 1953, under Carlo Maria Giulini, we hear Catalani's "La Wally" with Renata Tebaldi in the title role, Mario del Monaco as Hagenbach, Renata Scotto as Walter, Giangiacomo Guelfi as Gellner, and Giorgio Tozzi as Stromminger.  (73 min.)

The story is set in the Austrian Tyrol where the free-spirited but vulnerable Wally is in love with the handsome Giuseppe Hagenbach, the son of her father's implacable enemy. This leads to the inevitable disastrous conclusion.

Act 1

The village of Hochstoff

A shooting contest is being held in celebration of the 70th birthday of Wally's father, Stromminger. A hunting party arrives from the nearby village of Sölden led by Hagenbach. Old enmities quickly surface and a quarrel develops between Stromminger and Hagenbach, who trade threats and insults before Hagenbach is drawn away by his companions.

Vincenzo Gellner has his own heart set on Wally and is quick to notice that during the quarrel she is clearly infatuated with her father's enemy. When left alone with Stromminger, he tells the old man of his suspicions. Recognising that Gellner is in love with his daughter, he insists that Wally agrees to marry him within a month or else leave his house forever. Wally retorts that she would rather take her chances in the Alpine snows than marry Gellner.

Act 2

The Eagle Tavern at Sölden

A year has passed; Stromminger has died and Wally has inherited his fortune. However, Hagenbach has become engaged to Afra, the landlady of the Eagle Tavern, and is apparently not interested in Wally.

A festival is taking place in Sölden and Wally is drawn to the tavern knowing that Hagenbach will be there. Hagenbach is persuaded to accept a challenge to try to win a kiss from Wally. What begins as a game quickly develops into something more serious, and Hagenbach easily wins his wager. When Wally realises she has been the victim of a cynical bet, her jealousy and fury boil over. She turns to Gellner, who is also at the festival, and insists that if he loves her he must kill Hagenbach.

Act 3

A ravine

La Wally returns to her home. The anger she felt has now subsided and she wishes she could take back her words. At that moment there is a knock at her door. It is Gellner, who describes how under cover of darkness he was able to set upon Hagenbach and hurl him into a deep ravine.

Wally is horrified and hurries to the ravine in the hope of saving Hagenbach, even though she believes he loves Afra. She herself goes down a rope to rescue him and successfully raises his unconscious body back to the surface.

Act 4

High in the Alps

Lonely and depressed, Wally has climbed into the mountains above the village. Her only friend, Walter, has followed and urges her to come down for the Christmas festivities and reminds her of the dangers of avalanches. She sends him away and contemplates her imminent death.

Wally hears another voice. It is Hagenbach, who has recovered from his injuries and come to confess his love. The lovers are reconciled and Hagenbach goes to find a safe path back down the mountain. He shouts up to Wally, but the noise of his call sets off an avalanche which carries him away. Wally stands for a moment on the edge of the precipice before hurling herself down to her death.

Direct download: Wally.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:51am EDT

Netrebko-Kaufmann-Schrott

From the Vienna Stadhalle in 2011 under Marco Armiliato, we present a superb concert that features Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott (Mr.Netrebko!), and Jonas Kaufmann, The selections are announced. (70 min.)

Direct download: Net-Kauf-Schr..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:30pm EDT

Olga Peretyatko's New Album

   Opera lovers are looking forward to the Met debut of lovely soprano Olga Peretyatko in "I Puritani' next season. Here are two arias from her new album entitled, "La Bellezza del Canto." They are from Les Contes D'Hoffman and La Rondine. I am sure you will enjoy this fine young artist.  (10 min.)

Direct download: Peretyatko.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:04pm EDT

Fedora with Virginia Zeani

In a performance from Teatro Verdi, Padova in 1974, Virginia Zeani sings the role of Fedora, with Aldo Bottion as Loris, Elena Baggiore as Olga, and Guido Mazzini as De Sirieux. The conductor is Francesco Maria Martini. It is a performance recorded live in the theatre, so some of it is a bit distant, but it does capture the wonderful performance   (68 min.)

Direct download: Fedora_Zeani.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:43am EDT

A Golden Age Richard Strauss Compilation

  A compilation of arias and scenes from Richard Strauss operas.(announced). Included are such artists as:  Lotte Lehmann, Maria Ivogun, Rose Pauly, Charles Kullmann, Barbara Kemp, Richard Mayr, Tiana Lemnitz, Viorica Ursuleac, Erna Berger, Margarete Teschemacher, and Gerhard Husch. (68 min.)

Direct download: Strauss_Compil..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:21am EDT

La Traviata with Beverly Sills

  I recently found out that the San Carlo,Naples audience carried on so much after Sills' "Amami,Alfredo" that she had to return to the stage for a bow after she had gone into her dressing room. Sills gives her usual heart-wrenching performance and she is joined by Alfredo Kraus and Mario Zanasi. The conductor in this 1970 performance is Aldo Ceccato.  (73 min.)

Just a little aside from me: The many times I saw Sills, I always said that she was "better than the sum of her parts." One would not think of her in the Bolena or the Roberto Devereux, or even as Violetta with an essentially "coloratura" voice that excelled in operas such as Le Coq D'Or and Julius Caesar. However, what emerged was a phenomenal career and I am so thanksful  I saw her in just about all her roles.

Direct download: Traviata_Sills.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:55am EDT

Fabulous Forza!!!

From 1956 Florence under Gabriele Santini we present an all-star Forza del Destino, with Renata Tebaldi in glorious voice, Giuseppe Di Stefano,Giulio Neri, and Giangiacomo Guelfi. (74 min.)

Direct download: Forza_Tebaldi_1956.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:43pm EDT

More Divas of the era from 1906-1935

  A collection of arias as sung by some of the great divas of the past. The selections are announced but the list (in proper order) is as follows:

Luisa Tetrazzini, Nelly Melba, Adelina Patti, Frieda Hempel, Amelita Galli-Curci, Rosa Ponselle, Lotte Lehmann, Eva Turner, Nina Koshetz, Eide Norena, Maria Nemeth, and Claudia Muzio  (69 min.)

Direct download: Divas2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:50am EDT

Les Contes D'Hoffmann, 1955

Pierre Monteux conducts Offenbach's opera from 1955 with a cast headed by Richard Tucker and including Martial Singher, Roberta Peters, Rise Stevens, Lucine Amara,Mildred Miller, Norman Scott (Crespel), Alessio de Paolis (comic tenor roles), Clifford Harvuot (Schlemil), and Sandra Warfield (Mother's voice.)

Direct download: Hoffman_Tucker.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:06am EDT

Two Pearl Fishers

Scenes from two performances of Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers." The first,in Italian,is from Milano under Armando LaRosa Parodi in 1960, featuring Alfredo Kraus,Giuseppe Taddei, and Pina Margarini.

The second performance is from French Radio under Manuel Rosenthal in 1959 with Alain Vanzo, Gabriel Bacquier, and Janine Micheau.   (69 min.)

Direct download: Pearl_F.Kraus-Vanzo.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:20pm EDT

  This absolutely divine lady was born on June 20, 1892..Just the way she sings, "Oh Signor" is worth everything when you are so STARVED for this kind of singing..totally absent today.

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

Susannah by  Carlisle Floyd

An exciting performance of Floyd's "Susannah" from 1999 under James Conlon with Renee Fleming, Samuel Ramey, Jerry Hadley, and John McVeigh. This has become one of the most famous of American operas.  (73 min.)

Direct download: Susannah.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:39pm EDT

Tristan und Isolde from 1955

  A superb Tristan und Isolde from 1955 under Rudolf Kempe with a great cast that features Astrid Varnay, Set Svanholm, Josef Metternich,Blanche Thebom, and Jerome Hines   (69 min.)

Direct download: Tristan_1955.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:33pm EDT

Happy Birthday,Odabella

 To honor my dear Maria Galvany on her June 19th birthday, I present an Attila from 1979 featuring Justino Diaz, Enrico Di Giuseppe, and Cornelius Opthof from Cincinatti, conducted by Anton Coppola. This is a thrilling performance and we all wish Mme.Galvany a very happy birthday!! (68 min.)

Direct download: Attila_Galvny.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:08pm EDT

Orfeo with Fedora Barbieri

  The luscious organ-like voice of Fedora Barbieri is heard in this La Scala 1950 Orfeo under Wilhelm Furtwaengler. Hilde Gueden is Euridice and Magda Gabory is Amor.  (72 min.)

Direct download: Orfeo_Barbieri1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:10am EDT

     Just enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:31am EDT

HAPPY FATHERS'DAY!!!!

  To all you daddies out there...Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:57pm EDT

Happy Fathers' Day!!!!!! Sorry that Rigoletto and Gilda were not in a particularly good mood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

  I have posted this before..but we have new members..or old members who want to sample the greatness of Mari Lyn..WITH TITLES!!!!!  I sent this to Joyce di Donato...I hope she will still talk to me....

Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am EDT

LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  One can love Cesare Valletti or Irmgard Seefried, but what is wrong with also loving a BIG VOICE???? Some crabs frown on my saying that a certain voice "blew the roof off the theatre." Maybe they want to have everyone sound as if they are singing the Dichterliebe instead of Norma?
    What singers knocked you out in your life?  For ancient me, it was Nilsson,Tebaldi,Verrett,Corelli,MacNeil,Del Monaco..and other "provincial"(doity woid) singers like Lando Bartolini, Nicola Martinucci,Gino Penno,Caterina Mancini (I assume Mancini) who thrilled the hell out of us.
    Recently a singer said to me, "They don't like SQUILLO." Well, tough!!!!
No one should ever have to be apologetic for loving singers who made you feel as if the roof was shaking. In contrast, some voices cannot project at all,and despite their artistry and perhaps nice vocal quality, they cannot get the voice over the orchestra (and I assume not even with water running in my bathroom.)
       Just sit back and revel in the BIG NOISES...do we have any today???? Zajick is a rarity....I guess teachers are afraid to produce Nilssons and Corellis, and that is why a  lot of the dramatic moments in opera go for naught. Also, you could turn up a Niilsson or a Corelli recording to ear-splitting volume, and you still would not know what the artist sounded live...but you are all young and will have to accept what is there.
                                                                                    Charlie  (Guleghina fan)

Category:general -- posted at: 12:15pm EDT

Rise Stevens' Birthday

  Sad day for me, remembering dear Rise and that she would have turned 100 today. The photo you see is a young me with Rise at our last music club gathering, and I feel so fortunate to have known her for those years. She is the first singer I ever met, and to this day,I can "feel" the handshake and the greasepaint when I first met her after a Met Carmen. I was 16, but the memories are so vivid.

    As we go on in life, there are some people who will forever remain in our hearts, and Rise was one of them

Category:general -- posted at: 2:23pm EDT

Hello, WORLD!!!!!

   After all these years, I just noticed that I can trace your downloads in some countries to the extent that I can see,for example, what individual provinces of China (my second most popular nation for downloads). I therefore LEARN the names of the various areas of certain countries..not all. This is very interesting, and as always I am so happy to see that these podcasts go to so many parts of the world.(nothing yet in Greenland..why?)

   As always,I thank you for your support.We are at about one million two hundred thousand "hits" in six years. What did I do when I was teaching and there was no internet?

   I thank you for your continued support. So far I have not run out of material. Again,if you have any special requests, e-mail me at Placido21@aol.com. Placido..oh yeah..he is singing all the unborn kids in Frau next season!! (Just kidding...i think.)


Category:general -- posted at: 2:18pm EDT

Der Rosenkavalier Act 3 from SF

  The beloved Rise Stevens would be 100 on June 11, the exact same day as Richard Strauss was born in 1864. How appropriate that a great Octavian would share this day with the composer of this great work, a work in which Rise excelled. George Sebastian in San Francisco, 1945, conducts the third act of Rosenkavalier, with Rise, Lotte Lehmann, Lorenzo Alvary, Nadine Conner, Herta Glaz and Allesio de Paolis (Valzacchi and Annina), and Walter Olitzki (Faninal.)   (52 min.)

Direct download: Rosenk.act_3_SF.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

How appropriate that Rise Stevens,who would have been 100 on June 11, was born on the same day as Richard Strauss (1864). He would be PROUD!!!!

 Bless my dear Rise forever in my heart!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:45pm EDT

Mefistofele, 1967 From Carnegie Hall

 An all-star cast in Boito's Mefistofele under Lamberto Gardelli. Renata Tebaldi, Carlo Bergonzi, and Nicolai Ghiaurov make this a marvelous performance.  (73 min.)

Direct download: Mef.NY_Tebaldi.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT

Elisir D'Amore from Florence, 1967

 A veritable LESSON in singing by the legendary Carlo Bergonzi, the Nemorino on this 1967 Elisir under Gianandrea Gavazzeni. In addition, Renata Scotto, Giuseppe Taddei, and Ivo Vinco perform magnificently and show what proper Italianate style is all about .  (73 min.)

Direct download: Elisir_Bergonzi.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:58am EDT

La Forza del Destino from 1943

  Under the legendary Bruno Walter, here are scenes from a most exciting "Forza del Destino" featuring Stella Roman, Ezio Pinza, Lawrence Tibbett, Frederick Jagel, and Salvatore Baccaloni. We were most fortunate that during World War Two we were still able to assemble a great cast, lacking some artists unable to come here. It is a wonderful era in opera history, and I think this performance exemplifies the period.  (72 min.)

Direct download: Forza_Roman.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:40pm EDT

  Countertenor???????  I think his mommy played Tebaldi when she was pregnant.

GREAT!!!! Not a countertenor in my view...but a male soprano.....amazing!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 2:10am EDT

EINE NACHT IN VENEDIG

Highlights from a 1938 Berlin performance of Strauss' "A Night in Venice," featuring the superb Marcel Wittrisch as Caramello and a cast including Karl Schmitt-Walter (Herzog), Carla Spletter (Anna), Rosl Seegers (Ciboletta), and Margarethe Arndt-Ober ( Agricola). The conductor is Heinrich Steiner.   (64 min.)

Direct download: Night_in_Venice.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:25am EDT

Should I laugh or cry???

Teresa Stich-Randall had an illustrious career, and I am sure she did some fine singing, but these arias from Puritani,Ernani, and Traviata always were part of what we called a "party tape." I guess it is the lack of vibrato that drives us to hysteria...but you figure it out. i just do not understand it. (25 min.)

Direct download: Stich-Randall.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:11am EDT

Fedora Part Two

  Act three of the Freni/Domingo Fedora, followed by some scenes featuring Ferruccio Tagliavini and Pia Tassinari. This is such beautiful and emotional music.  (69 min.)

Direct download: Fedora_Freni_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:17pm EDT

Fedora part One

The first part of the Freni/Domingo Fedora and then highlights from a commercial recording of the opera with Gilda Dalla Rizza (pictured) and Antonio Melandri.  (73 min.)

Direct download: Fedora_Freni-1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:31am EDT

  I CRY my eyes out!!!! One of the greatest singers I ever heard!!!!! The beloved Shirley Verrett.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:46pm EDT

Heart's Delight  samples

Three samples from Piotr Beczala's new album!!!!

Direct download: Piotr_Tauber.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:42pm EDT

   A  preview pf the beautiful album "Heart's Delight," that honors the great Richard Tauber, who would be thrilled to have the wonderful Piotr Beczala sing his material. I just received this album, and I sincerely recommend it to you. Piotr is fast becoming one of our "opera icons," and he is to be highly praised.

Category:general -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT


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