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

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