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.)

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.

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

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.)

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.)

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

  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.)