Dmitri knew him.What a fabulous voice..Born Oct.24, 1911. Lisitsian did one Met Amonasro...that is all..sad...

Category:general -- posted at: 12:07am EDT

GREAT MAN!!! Oct. 23, 1913. Not known for high notes but one of the most sensational artists EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 10:21pm EDT

VERY FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bless her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 1:49am EDT

Walkure act one 1953

Walkure act one from 1953 with the young Birgit Nilsson and Set Svanholm. The conductor is Hans Schmidt Isserstadt  from Hamburg Radio.  (65 min.)

Direct download: Walkure_act_1_1953.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:53am EDT

  One of the great JOYS of my life is to have Virginia Zeani as a friend and honorary "sorella." She turns 88 on October 21, and is still active in her teaching career, and even can still hit E flats on the phone! NO ONE sings like this these days, and I know you will greatly appreciate her career and her contribution to the vocal art.

Category:general -- posted at: 9:35am EDT

  Dear tenor Henry Price celebrated his birthday on October 18. I wrote him that if he could survive that insane woman in the audience in1977 giving out such a scream, he could survive anything!!!

  We never found out what that was all about, but perhaps it was a rival soprano, as Ashley Putnam made her debut that evening.

   

Category:general -- posted at: 2:17am EDT

AMORE!!!

The superb tenor, Joseph Calleja, sings two selections from his newest album, "Amore." I know you will enjoy the selections which are "You raise me up" and "Musica Proibita."

Direct download: Calleja_amore.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:47pm EDT

I loved the late Enrico di Giuseppe,born Oct.14,1938. He was so under-appreciated in my opinion. I once complimented him on his :high E flat" in Coq d'Or and he replied, "E NATURAL!" This finale of act one of the Saint of Bleeker Street with the wonderful Catherine Malfitano is superb!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

   Who can forget this man??????????????

Category:general -- posted at: 12:04pm EDT

  Born October 12, 1935, the great Pavarotti brought so many people to opera. Yes, he became something of a "caricature' over the years, but who can deny his incredible contribution to opera..and that FABULOUS voice!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am EDT

Galliano Masini part 2

  Part Two of my tribute to one of my favorite tenors, Galliano Masini.(all selections announced.)

Direct download: Masini_Pt.2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:33am EDT

Galliano Masini  Part One

Part one (I had to break this up) of a tribute to Galliano Masini, 1896-1986. A wonderful tenor!!!!!

Direct download: Masini_pt.one.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:28am EDT

  Would Verdi think Galvany should calm down???????????????

Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

 I do not care where you are tomorrow. You VILL sing this, in key, and never mind Muti senza acuti..I do not care if you are in the shower, at work, in the car,In bed alone or with three people...you MUST honor the great Verdi on his 200th birthday. Look, I have heard many tenors who are worse than you!!!

 All'aaaaaaarmiiiiiiiiiiii!     Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 12:17am EDT

Stephanie Blythe's New Pop Album

Not many opera stars can do "crossover," but the great Stephanie Blythe's new album entitled, "As Long as there are songs" shows us how a great opera star can sing pop music so beautifully, I include "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" and "The Man that got away" and I know you will enjoy Mme.Blythe's remarkable endeavor.

Direct download: blythe_pop.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:47pm EDT

Happy Birthday to Leyla Gencer

The marvelous Turkish soprano, Leyla Gencer, was born on October 10, 1928. She was born on the same day as we celebrate the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi. She sang 12 Verdi roles, so it is a convenient coincidence.

She sings arias from Werther, Le Nozze di Figaro, Idomeneo, La Wally, Assassino nel Catedrale (Pizzetti), Monte Ivnor (Rocca), Il Trovatore, Forza del Destino, La Traviata, Aida, and IDue Foscari.  (68 minutes)

Direct download: Gencer_2013_Birthday.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:27pm EDT

Oct.10, 1813 (Giuseppe Verdi) and Oct.10, 1928 (Leyla Gencer).How incredibly fitting for the great Leyla,who sang 12 Verdi roles, to be born on Verdi's birthday!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT

First time the great Jonas Kaufmann sang this role!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

Chereau, who just passed away, was criticized for his "controversial" Ring. It was great....and I cry my eyes out every time at the way Jones and McIntyre embrace with that divine music!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:01pm EDT

Nabucco with Maria Callas

A blazing performance of Nabucco from Naples, 1949 under Vittorio Gui. The cast includes Maria Callas,in her vocal prime, Gino Bechi, Gino Sinimberghi (Ismaele),Luciano Neroni (Zaccaria), and Amalia Pini (Fenena)   72 minutes)

Direct download: Nabucco_Callas.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:48pm EDT

Imagine that you are a member of the Italian audience at the premiere of Verdi's Nabucco, and you are witness to history! The audience made them encore the chorus and it was the beginning of a fabulous career as an incredible genius, whose 200th birthday we celebrate on Oct,10.,

Category:general -- posted at: 11:17pm EDT

Verdi Discoveries

Celebrating the 200th year of Verdi's birth.(Oct.10, 1813), Riccardo Chailly leads the Orchestra Sinfonica of Milan in a series of rarely-heard Verdi orchestral music, including opera preludes later discarded.  VIVA IL MAESTRO!!!  (63 min.)

Direct download: Verdi_Discoveries.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

It is "Goofy time."

Here is a "goofy"(pictured) podcast of all sorts of strange happenings (announced) that I think might be enjoyable for opera parties. Over the years,we have collected so many of these 'oddities," and I wish to share them with you.

Direct download: Shall_I_go_on-vol.8.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:44am EDT

Maria Stuarda with Leyla Gencer

Mamma mia!!!! This is a blazing performance of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda" from Florence 1967 under Francesco Molinari-Pradelli. The cast includes Leyla Gencer, Shirley Verret, Franco Tagliavini,Agostini Ferrin (Giorgio), Giulio Fioravanti (Cecil), and Mafalda Masini (Anna.)   (69 min.)

Direct download: Stuarda_Gencer.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:48pm EDT

Poliuto from La Scala, 1960

 A seldom-heard but truly superb work, Donizetti's "Poliuto," from opening night La Scala, December 7, 1960 under Antonino Votto. The cast features Franco Corelli, Maria Callas, Ettore Bastianini, and Nicola Zaccaria.  (69 min.)

Direct download: Poliuto_Callas.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:52pm EDT

Iris with Magda Olivero

The amazing Magda Olivero (now 104 yrs.young) in a great role in Iris of Mascagni from Amsterdam 1963 under Fulvio Vernizzi. Others in the cast are Luigi Ottolini,Renato Capecchi, and Plinio Clabassi. (71 min.)

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

Luciano Pavarotti 1973 Recital

 Songs and arias (announced) by Luciano Pavarotti in a 1973 New York recital. We may sometimes forget that he was one of the greatest tenors in opera history.  (66 min.)

Direct download: Pavarotti_1973_rec.2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:53am EDT

  Met opera's newest star..Yuri Cundari Cundari. I have been going to the opera for many years but I NEVER heard anything like this. Check out his Vesti la giubba and Elektra scene. He will sing the role of Il PUZZZZO del giardino this season.

Category:general -- posted at: 2:39am EDT

Tribute to Martha Moedl (1910-2001)

  My beloved tribute to Martha Moedl, one of the greatest artists in opera history. All selections are announced (73 min.)

Direct download: Moedl_Tribute-2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:38pm EDT

Happy to Be Back!

Glad we ironed out problems and will be doing more podcasts for you, when I am not at the Met. ( I am amazed I have 35 Met tickets this season...maybe I am not as jaded as i thought, but the repertory is better, and i do have some singers I love so much  (Piotr and Netrebko in Onegin Tuesday,Oct. 2)

Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

  The Met never recognizes the great young talent that is available in world-wide bathrooms....I feel they are so ignorant of what is there.....We need to help them to understand that such talent cannot be ignored.

  NON MANGIARE before you watch this..and get rid of little kids and small animals!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 11:33am EDT

Mefistofele Scenes with Zeani and Olivero

  I present the Garden Scene and the Prison Scene from Boito's Mefistofele, featuring two of the greatest verismo sopranos, Magda Olivero and Virginia Zeani.

The Olivero performance is from Macerata, 1972, and features Cesare Siepi and Giorgio Merighi.

The Zeani performances is from Trieste, 1970, and features Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (Virginia's husband) and Umberto Grilli.     (61 min.)

Direct download: Mef.Zeani-Oliv..mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:28pm EDT

Jonas Kaufmann Sings Verdi

Just to see if these podcasts are FINALLY working, here are arias from Luisa Miller and I Masnadieri, from the wonderful new Jonas Kaufmann Verdi album. He is superb!!!!

Direct download: Kaufmann_Verdi_test.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:48pm EDT

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Direct download: 14_-_soviero14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT

   When I see two Normas this year, with Sondra Radvanovsky and Angela Meade, I will be very let-down, because NO ONE can compare with Mme.Lynn.Oh well, tutto declina!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 12:56am EDT

  Cornell MacNeil, born Sept.24, 1922, caused a FUROR every time he sang his sensational high notes. It was breathtaking!!! Bless this man, not just for high notes, but for his great singing.

Category:general -- posted at: 8:42pm EDT

  The night after we saw Warren pass away on stage, the great Bastianini, born Sept.22, 1922, sang a magnificent Gerard in Andrea Chenier. It was March 5, 1960 and we were not in a very good mood;however, at least we did hear another great baritone. We lost him too soon of throat cancer, but he will always be remembered as one of the great baritones.

Category:general -- posted at: 8:38pm EDT

I heard this great man shortly before his passing. He sang this aria and "La donna e mobile."He sounded as brilliant always. Born Sept.24, 1927, he was a model of taste,style,technique.One of the greatest tenors ever!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:34pm EDT

  One of the most famous sopranos, Elizabeth Rethberg, born Sept. 22, 1894. I am told that we just do not get the gorgeous "overtones" on recordings, whichhappens very often.

  Repairman due tomorrow so hold your breath and hope to resume regular podcasts soon.

Category:general -- posted at: 11:26pm EDT

  Here is an example of Rise's great versatility. They showed some clips from her films tonight at the tribute.

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

I was 16 and sneaked into the backstage area at the old Met. I suddenly found myself in a hallway on the way to the dressing room of the first singer I ever met, Rise Stevens, who had just sung Carmen. To this DAY I can see her smiling face and actually feel the "greasepaint on my hand" I joined her music club and went every year to her home, where we had a beautiful time always.
    I have just returned from a breathtaking memorial tribute to Rise at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. I was in the lobby and I perceived someone who might have been Nicky Surovy because I recalled him from a TV show;I had not seen him since he was about 15, and went over to him, my eyes beginning to fill with tears, because of what Rise was and what a life she had enjoyed with her fans, and Nicky was a "connection" to her.
   We spoke briefly and then I entered the sold-out theatre, to witness a truly heartwrenching tribute to Rise, who came close to 100, but passed away a few months ago. The hostess was Federica Von Stade and we had speeches by Rosalind Elias, Harolyn Blackwell,Ann Ziff, and of course Nicholas Surovy.
   The number of film clips, some never before available, was astounding, including a remarkable dance sequence with Ray Bolger, and she KEPT UP with him. There were arias, family photos and just so much that it was something extraordinary to behold. Her whole life passed by us and in many ways she "was there" tonight.
  Elias told a funny tale about how she adored Rise and STOLE Rise's Chesterfield cigarette poster once (They allowed those ads then.). Nicky told many tales of their lives and he was as charming as anyone could be. They showed selections never before seen, like the Jean of Arc aria and other material from various TV shows. This was a "class act" and no one deserved it more than the beloved lady whpo brought opera to so many including yours truly.
    I saw Nicky again at the end of the show, shook his hand, and again felt that same "connection" and left the theatre reflecting on the life of this dear lady, who made my young life so joyous.
     There so many tales and so many clips that I could go on and on but I have given you a fairly good idea of this evening at it will stay with me forever. Bless Rise, the beautiful Rise , who shook this teenager's hand so many years ago.  With all my deepest feelings  Charlie
Category:general -- posted at: 1:40am EDT

  Sept. 16, 1977 was the sad premature passing of someone who contributed more to opera than perhaps any other individual, even for a relatively short time. Callas had her flaws, but here in Norma you hear the Maria who took the opera world by storm!!  Bless her memory!

Category:general -- posted at: 8:13pm EDT

  I just discovered the tenor whom I will see in "La Sonnambula" at the Met, This is Javier Camarena, still another of the huge array of present-day tenors who make life so happy! (However there are no Radameses or Manricos.)

   The guy is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT

  Did you think I would ever let you forget  "the note"? Nothing compared to this moment, at which I used to "collapse' over the railing in the old Met standing room !!!

Category:general -- posted at: 7:32pm EDT

 Hi all,

     When I started this podcast site, there was the ability to add comments by you;sadly, I realized that all kinds of ads...many many of them, intruded, and i had to cut out this feature.   I do like to get your feedback so I can learn if things are to your liking and if you have special requests. If you would be so kind as to send me some feedback (Placido21@aol.com), I would appreciate it. You may write in Spanish,French, or Italian if you wish (I had Latin,but they do not write it any more since they knocked off Caesar.).

    I hope to get the regular podcasts running soon,but for now,I can send the videos.

                                                    Your friend  Charlie

Category:general -- posted at: 3:11pm EDT

 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


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