SIEGFRIED FROM BAYREUTH 1955

 Highlights from Wagner's Siegfried from a live 1955 performance in Bayreuth from 1955 under Joseph Keilberth.The cast includes Wolfgang Windgassen, Astrid Varnay, Hans Hotter, Josef Greindl, and Paul Kuen.  (68 min.)

Direct download: Siegfried_1955.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:54pm EDT

Luciano Pavarotti in Concert

 From 1973, most of  a recital given in New York by the celebrated tenor legend, Luciano Pavarotti. The selections are announced. May the great man rest in peace.  (64 min.)

Direct download: Pavarotti_1973.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

A DATE WITH THE DEVIL

That devil of a guy, Sam Ramey, in arias from operas that deal with the devil (or with mean dudes): Faust,Damnation of Faust,Robert Le Diable, Rake's Progress, Tales of Hoffmann, Mefistofele, and I threw in Susannah as well. (50 min.)

Direct download: Ramey_Devil.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:50pm EDT

FIDELIO WITH KIRSTEN FLAGSTAD

  A legendary cast under Bruno Walter in highlights from a 1941 Fidelio. The cast includes Kirsten Flagstad, Rene Maison, Alexander Kipnis,Julius Huehn, and Herbert Janssen. (71 min.)

Direct download: Fidelio_Flagstad.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:20am EDT

LA GIOCONDA  1953

One of the great performances (well,almost) of "La Gioconda, under Fausto Cleva in 1953. The cast includes the remarkable Zinka Milanov,Leonard Warren, Kurt Baum, Cesare Siepi, and Jean Madeira. How many times have I heard Zinka's Gioconda,live or on tape, and I still cannot believe some of the phrasing, the beauty and richness of the voice. I hope you enjoy this perf.  (72 min.)

Direct download: Gioconda_1953.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:14pm EDT

Topi Lehtipuu sings Vivaldi

I discovered this lovely voice on a Troyens video, as the sailor Hylas.Mr. Lehtipuu was born in Australia of Finnish parents and seems to have now had a wonderful international career. I thought you might enjoy some excerpts from the new Vivaldi album and maybe even want to buy it.  Nice to know we have such fine artists with us.

Direct download: Topi.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:53am EDT

What an Otello this was!!!!

I think you will adore this fabulous Otello under Fausto Cleva from 1958. It has a Golden Age cast with Mario del Monaco, Leonard Warren, and Victoria de los Angeles.  Nicola Moscona, Rosalind Elias, and Paul Franke complete the cast. Now you see why I spent those freezing days on the old Met standee line. We were nuts, but it was worth it.   (72 min.)

Direct download: Otello_Met_1958.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:20pm EDT

Ariadne Highlights

  Highlights from two performances of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos from 1954. First we have Lisa Della Casa, Hilde Gueden,Irmgard Seefried (Komponist) and Rudiolf Schock from Salzburg under Karl Bohm.  This is followed by a Salzburg performnce under Joseph Keilberth. It features Hilde Zadek,Rita Streich, Sena Jurinac (Komponist), and Hans Hopf.  (72 min.)

Direct download: Ariadnes.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:14pm EDT

Too much???????

I am sure the answer is a resounding "NO!" as i see how many individuals download my podcasts, and as you notice, I have been doing more and more. I am running out of ideas, so send your suggestions to me at Placido21@aol.com. If I do not get any suggestions, I will be forced to do RAP podcasts, and then you will (figuratively)throw rotten vegetables.   (Just kidding of course...I have enough material on CD for at least as long as Placido keeps singing.)

Category:general -- posted at: 11:51am EDT

Tribute to Cornell MacNeil

We have lost another great singer, baritone Cornell MacNeil.He possessed a voice of phenomenal power and was one of the world's greatest baritones. The operas represented are Pagliacci,Rigoletto, Luisa Miller, Ernani, and Simone Boccanegra.   (71 min.)

May the dear man rest in peace.

Direct download: MacNeil_Trib..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:44pm EDT

Helen Traubel Sings Wagner

  That great lady, Helen Traubel, in scenes from live performances of Wagner material.Included is a scene from act 3 Walkure with Herbert Janssen from 1944 under George Szell. Then we have some Gotterdamerung scenes under Fritz Stiedry from 1951, with Set Svanholm,Janssen, and Dezso Ernster. This is followed by  a Liebestod from San Francisco 1951 under Pierre Monteux. I conclude with the Immolation Scene under Bruno Walter from Hollywood, 1947.  (69 min.)

         I also must mention her enjoyable TV appearances with the beloved Jimmy Durante, a close friend of my mother for many years. How many artists can go from Brunnhilde to Durante???

Direct download: Traubel_Wagner.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:18am EDT

How Opera Destroyed New York!!!

  Here are some scenes from the (in)famous La Puma Opera Company from the 1960's. You are advised NOT to listen to this if you have any sensitive animals in your house, little children, or nice neighbors who might be frightened to death. The 75+ year old Olive Middleton is the leading soprano, and the chorus is imported from the losers on "American Idol."  (26 surreal minutes)

Direct download: Puma_Cav-Aida.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:51pm EDT

The Young Jose Carreras

A selection of arias as sung by the young Jose Carreras in the 1970's. They are all from live performances and show what a magnificent voice he had. He is a courageous man and I am paying tribute to all he has accomplished.  (67 min.)

Direct download: Carreras.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

A Brilliant Parsifal

 Highlights from Wagner's "Parsifal" from 1954 with a magnificent cast that includes Set Svanholm, Astrid Varnay, George London, and Hans Hotter, conducted by Fritz Stiedry. It takes some time for some of us to appreciate this great work, but with a little patience I think you will come to love it as I do. (except for those annoying Flower Maidens.)  (71 min.)

Direct download: Pars.Met_1954.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT

The Young Diana Soviero

A compilation of the early career of dear Diana Soviero. The selections show that even at 17 and 22, the great talent is there, and I know you will enjoy this podcast.   All selections are announced. 

 (67 min.)

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

Tannhauser with Renata Tebaldi

  Highlights from a 1950 performance (In Italian) of Tannhauser, conducted by Karl Boehm and featuring Renata Tebaldi,Hans Beirer,Carlo Tagliabue, Boris Christoff, and Lyvia Pery.  (71 min.)

Direct download: Tann.Tebaldi.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:03pm EDT

ALCINA

Highlights from Handel's "Alcina," featuring Joan Sutherland,Fritz Wunderlich, and Jeanette Van Dijck. Ferdinand Leitner is the conductor 1959 from Cologne Radio   (70 min.)

Direct download: Alcina.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:26am EDT

An Exciting Stiffelio

 A most exciting live performance (abr.) of Verdi's early opera, "Stiffelio," the other version of his "Aroldo."

  The performance is conducted by Nicola Luisotti and was seen live in Trieste, 2000. The cast includes: Dimitra Theodossiou (Lina), Mario Malagnini(Siffelio), Marco Vratogna (Stankar),Giorgio Casciarri,(Raffaele), and Enzo Capuano (Jorg.)   (71 min.)

Direct download: Stiffelio_Theod..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:05pm EDT

Maria Gets Crazy

 I thought you might find a comparison of four Callas Mad Scenes from Lucia an interesting comparison, especially in the days when she was absolutely a phenomenon.

    First we have three from Mexico City under Guido Picco: June 6,14, and 26 in 1952, following by a Scala Mad Scene in 1954 under Herbert von Karajan. I hope you enjoy this tribute to one of opera's greatest artists. (70 min.)

Direct download: Callas_Mad_sc..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

Beniamino Gigli in La Forza del Destino

From Rio de Janeiro, August 16, 1951, I present highlights from La Forza del Destino featuring the great Beniamino Gigli, age 61, and a cast that includes:

Elizabeth Barbato,Enzo Mascherini,Giulio Neri, and Giuseppe Modesti, under Antonino Votto.  (70 min.)

Direct download: Forza_Gigli.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:38pm EDT

Duke Bluebeard's Castle

  A performance of Bartok's "Duke Bluebeard's Castle," under Istvan Kertesz, and featuring the great pairing of Christa Ludwig and Walter Berry.  As an added bonus, the two appear in the duet from act three of "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" of R.Strauss.  (70 min.)

Direct download: Bluebeard.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:55pm EDT

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