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.

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]

 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.

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.)

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.)

 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.)

  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....

  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!!!

  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.)

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