Episodes

6d ago

Mac the Knife, terror of the London criminal underworld, is a character paradoxically best known to many as the subject of the upbeat, bubbly eponymous 1955, 1959, and 1960 hit single. However, his fictional roots go much deeper, to a nearly 300-year old opera called The Beggar’s Opera . From here, Mac’s trail led to 1928’s The Threepenny Opera, by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, that is the subject of today’s episode. Join Pat and guest Maria Coulter for a conversation about this opera, which is as atypical as it was popular. A classically trained soprano, Maria is able to provide special insights, having performed the role of Lucy Brown in 2022.

Nov 16

Can an opera, that most complex of art forms, take you back to childhood? Unlikely though it might seem, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (“The Child and the Enchantments”) does just that through the talents of composer Maurice Ravel and writer Colette. This one-act opera, fantastical though it is, can transport you to all-too-real, seemingly lost memories. Over the course of the story, our nameless child protagonist wrestles with his powerlessness and power, responsibility and dependence, piteousness and pity. Join host Pat with Erica Miner, the mystery writer, lecturer and former Met Opera violinist, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of French composer Maurice Ravel on this episode of Opera for Everyone . For more on Erica Miner, visit ericaminer.com

Oct 5

Which is stronger: the temptations of a shadowy wish-granter, or the love of a virtuous woman? In The Rake’s Progress , Tom’s true love Anne seeks to save him from himself, seeking to unwind the schemes of the literal devil. Yet when the dust settles, it is hard to say who has triumphed… Tom is saved, but it is a messy and piteous sort of salvation. In the only full opera composed by Igor Stravinsky, powerful supernatural elements are key to the drama, but the characters–archetypal in many respects–become believable individuals given full life by Stravinsky’s shimmering, evocative, and powerful music. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Sep 8

King Arthur stands astride the intersection of history, myth, legend, and politics. In every age of the history of Britain, he is reinterpreted for new audiences and new purposes. When composer Henry Purcell and poet-librettist John Dryden set out to write their opera about Arthur, they did so following a century in which England had seen monarchs rise, fall, be beheaded, exiled, returned in triumph, and driven out in disgrace. King Arthur takes place not in Camelot, but in a world of clashing cultures and ideals. Arthur finds his Britons beset by Saxon invaders, but after his victory, he is able to lead as both peoples transition from fighting one another, to become a stronger people together. Join us for a close look at this fascinating work or art, and enjoy (in English, of course!) Dryden’s poetry and Purcell’s rich and tuneful music. Hosted by Pat with guest co-host Gerald Malone. Gerald Malone’s website, TheRestIsOpera.com is brimming with commentary on opera productions that he has seen around the world, and “scuttlebutt” about opera from a suspiciously well-informed little dog. Gerald Malone is also the Opera Critic of ReactionLife , a UK-based online current affairs and cultural publication.

Aug 10

It might at first sound like it would be nice to be the lover of the king of the Olympian gods, attended by divine spirits, and living in a luxurious palace among the clouds. But this happily-ever-after turns sour after Princess Semele asks Jupiter for the gift of immortality. After a bit of intrigue amongst the gods–not least among them Jupiter’s resourceful and ruthless wife Juno–disaster strikes the princess Semele and her dreams are reduced to ashes. An “English opera” from the later career of Baroque master, George Frideric Handel, Semele teems with engaging arias as well as sumptuous choral pieces. Inspired by a tale told by Ovid, Handel and his librettist, William Congreve crafted a work of art that beguiles and entertains supremely. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Jul 13

The young Aida loves the dashing military commander Radamès, and he adores her with a burning passion.Their mutual love is, however, somewhat complicated by the fact that Aida is a slave, enslaved by a princess who is equally smitten with the heroic warrior. Further complicating matters, Radamès’ military renown is founded on successfully prosecuting a war against Aida’s people. In this violent clash of the personal and political, Aida triumphs in her quest to be together “ever after” with Radamès, but certainly not in the way they had hoped. Join us this episode to marvel at the spectacle and scale of Giuseppe Verdi’s enduringly popular epic opera, Aida . Hosted by Pat with guest co-host Gerald Malone. Gerald Malone’s website, TheRestIsOpera.com is brimming with commentary on opera productions that he has seen around the world, and “scuttlebutt” about opera from a suspiciously well-informed canine. Gerald Malone is also the Opera Critic of ReactionLife , a UK-based online current affairs and cultural publication.

Jun 15

If you’re going to have a love triangle, why not have a singing knight, a literal saint, and the Goddess of Love herself? Come and enjoy the kind of sweeping, romantic, metaphysical yet dramatic opera that could only come from the utterly unrestrained Richard Wagner. Evil and good, bondage and freedom, power and love clash cataclysmically, and a legendary story is definitively rewritten. Hosted by Pat with guest co-hosts Kathleen and Grant For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

May 18

Once upon a time, there was a heroic knight, the greatest of Charlamagne’s famed paladins, and his name was Orlando (or Roland, depending on whom you ask.) Among his many heroic deeds and great journeys was this: a quest to a magical isle to abduct the headstrong princess Angelica and steal the ashes of Melin (yes, that Merlin). As his failure to win Angelica’s heart leads him down the path to madness, we must ask: is there hope for this broken hero after all? Antonio Vivaldi, famed composer of The Four Seasons, is not widely known for his operas, however, he composed between 70 and 100 in his lifetime. Join us for a discussion of this treasure of Baroque opera. Hosted by Pat and Jeff Counts (General Manager of the Grand Teton Music Festival , and KHOL’s film critic) Grand Teton Music Festival

Apr 27

You’ve never heard the story of Romeo and Juliet told like this! Not even if you have listened to the three previous episodes in which Pat and Kathleen discuss three operas based on the enduring tale of the “star-crossed lovers,” Ep. 120 Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette , Ep. 124 Vaccai’s Giulietta e Romeo, Ep. 126 Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Hector Berlioz’s Roméo et Juliette is a “dramatic symphony” in which three choirs and three soloists help tell the story of the two iconic lovers, who are themselves voiced by the orchestra. Please join us for our discussion of this magnificent and unusual work. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Mar 23

What can one woman do, when set against the entire world? Quite a lot, if she happens to be the sorceress Medea. This French Baroque opera written by Marc Antoine Charpentier takes on the ancient tale of Medea’s struggle to find a place for herself in the world of mythic Greece’s heroes and kingdoms, which eventually descends into fire, chaos, and death. Hosted by Pat, with guest host Petria Fossel

Feb 24

Can a young man win a wife through a singing competition? He just might, if he’s in Richard Wagner’s romantic comedy (yes, you read that right, “Richard Wagner’s romantic comedy,”) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Young Walter may not be trained in the masters’ techniques, but ultimately his passion wins the hearts of the beautiful Eva, the singing masters, and the people of Nuremberg. Join Pat and guest co-host Gerald Malone for an in-depth discussion of one of Wagner’s most intriguing operas. Gerald Malone is the Opera Critic of ReactionLife , a UK-based online current affairs and cultural publication.

Jan 21

Ill-fated lovers caught up in a world incapable of supporting love not sanctioned by officialdom… it’s a story for the ages. Join Pat and Kathleen for their third look at the Romeo and Juliet story in operatic form, I Capuleti e I Montecchi , by bel canto master, Vincenzo Bellini. If you haven’t already, we invite you to listen to Episode 120 on Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette , and Episode 124 on Nicola Vaccai’s Giulietta e Romeo. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Dec 11, 2024

“Seems an opera house is the perfect place for mischief and mayhem,” says the hard-boiled Inspector Cristina as she seeks to unravel the mystery at the heart of Overture to Murder , the meticulously researched third book of Erica Miner’s “Julia Kogan Opera Mystery Series.” Mayhem and mischief are no strangers to the opera house, both on and off-stage. Join us for a discussion of both Erica’s new book and Giacomo Puccini’s Il Tabarro , a powerful, gritty verismo opera inspired by the dramatic potential of the darker human impulses. For more on Erica Miner, visit ericaminer.com

Nov 14, 2024

A great story is one that we are never done with, and there are few stories in human history with as many retellings and reimaginings as the epic tale of Romeo and Juliet. Nicola Vaccai wrote this 1825 opera based not on the Elizabethan play, but on the source materials from which Shakespeare drew. Here, the Montagues and Capulets are not merely feuding families, but armies waging war as a part of the titanic power struggles between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy that wracked medieval and renaissance Italy. However, the heart of the story remains the doomed romance between young lovers caught in a maelstrom beyond their control. This is the second in a (non-contiguous) series in which Pat and Kathleen closely consider the Romeo and Juliet story in opera. For an episode that presents an operatic take on Shakespeare’s play about these famous lovers, please listen to O pera for Everyone , Episode 120. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Oct 6, 2024

Trying desperately to return home alive from the Trojan War, King Idomeneo makes a terrible promise to the sea god from the deck of his storm-ravaged ship. The consequence of his promise is worse than he could imagine, and only after many twists does he achingly find his way to peace. The emotional depth of the characters of Idomeneo gives Mozart ample opportunity to demonstrate his compositional powers in this, his first fully mature and unquestionably successful opera. Hosted by Pat, with guest co-host Gerald Malone Gerald Malone is the Opera Critic of the UK online current affairs and cultural publication, ReactionLife.

Sep 20, 2024

It’s a battle for the fate of the universe as the Dark Side plots, schemes, and fights to gain dominance over the Light Side. Though this opera predates Mozart’s The Magic Flute by several decades, you may find echoes here of Mozart’s beloved work, as it is also heavily influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment and the principles of Freemasonry. Jean-Philippe Rameau was the pre-eminent French composer of his day, and close with thinkers such as Voltaire. Rameau’s librettist for Zoroastre , Louis de Cahusac, was the secretary for the Grand Master of the Freemasonry’s Grand Lodge in Paris. Join Pat and Grant for a deep dive into this grand, mythical story’s cosmic stakes and spiritual resonances.

Aug 11, 2024

Die Zauberflöte (“The Magic Flute” ) is, by any measure, one of the most popular, successful, and well-known operas ever written, delighting adults and children alike. Yet experiencing Mozart’s The Magic Flute has left countless opera-goers reflecting contentedly on the sumptuous musical feast, but scratching their heads over the plot and characters. With the help of conductor Ben Manis, Opera for Everyone takes a close look at both Mozart’s musical genius and a narrative journey into a fantastical and dreamlike world. In this realm of magic and incarnate forces, we try to discover what can be understood, and what must simply be felt and experienced. Hosted by Pat and Conductor Ben Manis

Jul 21, 2024

Of all the love stories ever told, none quite compare to the enduring power of Romeo and Juliet. Over four centuries ago, English playwright William Shakespeare crafted a timeless story harnessing both the powers of profound love and deep hatred, and his tale of “star-crossed lovers” has become an inspiration to countless artists. Two and a half centuries later, French composer Charles Gounod and his librettists took Shakespeare’s play as a starting point, and crafted it into an exquisitely beautiful and heart-rending opera. Join us for an in-depth discussion of how this story plays out as a French grand opéra. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Jun 17, 2024

An unscrupulous king pressures a woman to marry him. She resists, knowing her heart belongs to the man who truly loves her, the chief general in the king’s army. Into this love-triangle, toss in a scheming underling of the king, a sympathetic maid of the woman, a devoted best friend of the general, and you have all the ingredients for a gripping story. Enhance the whole tale with a magnificent score, and you have a delightful opera, and, in fact, the first fully successful opera by the most prolific composer of the Bel Canto style, Gaetano Donizetti. Though Donizetti composed 70 operas, only a small number of those are regularly staged these days. We invite you to meet Zoraida di Granata , and enjoy an early work from a beloved composer. Hosted by Pat and Janet

Jun 16, 2024

KHOL in Jackson WY is Opera for Everyone ’s home radio station, and Wyoming’s only community radio station. If you have ever wanted to support Opera for Everyone, please consider supporting KHOL at 891KHOL.org/donate . June 15 marks the beginning of KHOL’s summer membership drive. Thank you everyone!

May 19, 2024

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” Shakespeare’s iconic " A Midsummer Night’s Dream" gives us some of the Bard’s most memorable (and ridiculous) characters and situations. Benjamin Britten, together with his partner Peter Pears, so appreciated the merits of Shakespeare’s play that they faithfully adapted the script into a libretto for Britten’s 1960 opera of the same name. The good-natured story shifts among fairy and human characters and their antics on a midsummer night. Observing the chaos, Puck, puckish henchman to the fairy king, exclaims, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” True enough, but there’s plenty of entertaining foolishness here from mortals and fairies alike. And, after all, doesn’t love make fools of us all? Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Apr 15, 2024

Was it only a dream? Baroque composer Henry Purcell was on his way to establishing a national operatic tradition based on the dramatic and musical traditions of the English, when, alas, his life was cut short after just 36 years. Join us as we explore Purcell’s musically and emotionally rich “The Fairy Queen,” a delightful twist on the Bard’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespeare was content to end his tale with ambiguity, and so must we content ourselves with what Purcell has given us, and not indulge in the fantasy of what might have been had he enjoyed additional years composing. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Feb 26, 2024

Where passion joins with music and poetry we find opera. In this sweet spot, we also find What We Need Is Here , the most recent project by accomplished musician and singer, Lisa Reagan. Lisa joins us to talk about creating an album of songs for classic poems that have been meaningful to her life. Lisa Reagan spent twenty years singing with the Washington National Opera and her first performance there was in Verdi’s La Forza del Destino , an opera of epic scope and dramatic extremes. Join Pat, Kathleen and Lisa for a close look at this powerful opera and the varieties of human experience it explores. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen, with special guest Lisa Reagan For more on Lisa Reagan and her album What We Need Is Here , visit lisareagan.com For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Jan 22, 2024

Two things never go out of fashion: opera and mystery. In this episode, mystery writer and former opera violinist Erica Miner talks with us about her opera mystery series and Lulu , Berg’s high-body-count melodrama. Lulu , which features prominently in Erica’s new novel, centers on a beautiful young woman whose admirers descend into obsession. Join us for a fascinating discussion of the nuts and bolts of opera, how it has informed Erica’s writings, and a close look at Berg’s masterpiece. Erica Miner is the author of Prelude to Murder , the second book in the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery Series . For more on Erica, visit ericaminer.com

Dec 31, 2023

In Amahl and the Night Visitors , a young boy and his mother unexpectedly play host to the Magi on their way to meet the infant Jesus. Originally written for television, this opera uniquely bridges the ancient and modern in a heartfelt exploration of the meaning of hospitality. In the second half of this episode, we are joined by Grant to talk about the role of Epiphany in the Christmas story, and enjoy some of the more beloved songs associated with the timeless story of the Magi. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen. For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Nov 19, 2023

By turns funny, serious, and seriously funny, L’Italiana in Algeri is a fascinating assembly of romantic tropes: a spurned wife, a shipwrecked lover, a pirate king, and a daring escape. At the same time, it deals with serious themes of agency, power, and silence. Set in a world that is both alien and familiar, this opera has something to say to all of us. Guest co-host Emily Cohen, executive director of Opera For Everyone’s home station KHOL, joins us for an opera in which she once performed!

Oct 2, 2023

“The face that launched a thousand ships.” Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world, has a problem. Her husband plans to kill her, but she just wants him to fall in love with her again. She may just need a miracle to pull it off, but if anyone can do it, she can. Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal aimed for a light and comic operetta with Die Ägyptische Helena , but delivered a profound and dramatic work of art about the road to repairing broken relationships. Hosted by Pat, Kathleen, and Grant For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Aug 26, 2023

One of the top ten most-performed operas in the world, Puccini’s Tosca is considered by some the greatest of operas. A painter provides refuge for an escaped political prisoner, which begins a chain of events that starts with petty jealousy and ends in a death leap. Things spiral further and further out of control in this epic confrontation of tyranny and passion, set in the tempestuous era of the Napoleonic Wars. Join Pat and Greg for an in-depth discussion of the story and the power of this masterpiece.

Aug 1, 2023

Richard Wagner’s style is one of the most distinctive and recognizable in all of opera. But Wagner wasn’t always the Wagner we’ve come to know. The earliest of Wagner’s operas to be performed in his lifetime was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure , Das Liebesverbot, where he is still developing his craft and working on his relationship to German opera. The result is an opera which does not shy away from Italian styles. It even makes the villain of the piece the one German character among a multitude of Italians bumping up against the moral codes of their city, Palermo, Sicily! Discover this infrequently performed opera with us, learning about how Wagner became Wagner… and experiencing a lively story of the conflict between personal morality and the enforcement of communal rules. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Jun 26, 2023

At once a sweeping story about humanity and a deeply personal look at a married couple with unfulfilled aspirations, Die Frau Ohne Schatten is often considered the magnum opus of the famed partnership between composer Richard Strauss and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Moving between lofty, other-worldly, and gritty settings, this opera simultaneously puzzles and inspires audiences. Being human, this opera tells us, is a messy business, but ultimately, the greatest pursuit and prize in all creation. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

May 21, 2023

One of history’s most infamous women, Lucrezia Borgia has inspired artists, dramatists, and TV show writers for centuries. Donizetti’s opera follows the play by Victor Hugo, telling of Lucrezia’s effort to find the kind of love that might change her life. However, it isn’t easy being a powerful woman in Renaissance Italy. Gaetano Donizetti, a prolific composer in the Bel Canto style, gives us an opera with a fascinating story, and, of course, “beautiful singing.” Hosted by Pat, Kathleen, and Grant For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Apr 22, 2023

“Double, double toil and trouble.” Composer Giuseppi Verdi enthusiastically declared that Shakespeare’s Macbeth “is one of the greatest creations of man!” Harnessing this passionate admiration, he went on to craft the first of his three completed operas based on Shakespeare plays. Verdi’s Macbeth is full of powerful choral pieces, arias from a royal couple lurching toward self-destruction, and Verdi’s own personal vision of a people yearning to free themselves from despotic oppression. In the end, Macbeth concludes that life is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” but to Verdi, the tyrant’s downfall brings soaring triumph to a suffering people, and perhaps something closer to self-determination. Hosted by Pat & Kathleen Van De Wille For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Mar 26, 2023

One of the world’s most formidable generals and one of history’s most beguiling politicians are joined by two frustrated young men and an irresistible widow in Handel’s Baroque masterpiece, Giulio Cesare in Egitto . Join Pat, Kathleen, and Grant for a journey through history, literature, and myth in exploring the influences and meaning of this enduring opera. For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.

Feb 25, 2023

One of the world’s most beloved operas, Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro , is not only the focus of this episode, but also the inspiration for Elly Uncomposed: A Novel Opera, a magical realist novel by author and retired opera singer, Valerie Niemerg. Like the opera Figaro , some truly serious and important topics are addressed in Elly Uncomposed, but with a charmingly comical touch. Join Valerie and Pat for a wide-ranging conversation about her delightful book, stories about her time in professional opera, and an exploration of Le Nozze di Figaro .

Jan 13, 2023

A people yearns for freedom. The power of their prayers, set to Verdi’s incomparable music, have stirred audiences ever since the première of Nabucco in 1842. The impact of this opera may relate to Verdi’s own struggle to overcome personal tragedies preceding the composition the music. It also resonates with the passions of the Italian people of his day, and their desire to free themselves from foreign domination. Drawing inspiration from scripture, Verdi and his librettist created an opera that tells a timeless story, and gave Italians one of their great anthems, Va pensiero . Hosted by Pat and Grant

Dec 20, 2022

Handel’s beloved Messiah, known for its thrilling Hallelujah Chorus , is a long-standing favorite during the Christmas season. Neither an opera, nor Christmas music, this English-language oratorio was composed for the Easter Season and premièred in Dublin in 1842. The magnificent text was crafted from the King James Bible by Handel’s friend, Charles Jennens. Join Pat and Grant for their newly remastered conversation about this enduring Baroque masterpiece.

Nov 27, 2022

Have you ever asked what might be going on backstage at an opera house? Or wondered about what secrets hide behind those glittering stages? Drawing on 21 years as a violinist in the Metropolitan Opera, Erica Miner guides her readers through a dramatized version of the opera world in her mystery novel, Aria for Murder , the first in the “Julia Kogan Opera Mystery” series. Join Pat for a conversation with Erica about her experiences in professional opera and the work of crafting them into thrilling works of fiction. Find Erica at: ericaminer.com

Oct 28, 2022

Glittering and gloriously tuneful, Die Fledermaus (“The Bat”) is the most enduring operetta of Vienna’s famous “Waltz King,” Johann Strauss II. Its plot features revenge, infidelity, disguised identities, and a glamorous ball at its center, given by a wealthy host who requires his guests to keep the party lively. Toasting “King Champagne,” the characters of this “spirited” operetta recognize the royalty of sparkling wine: the beverage that motivates, infuriates, and ultimately exonerates them. Hosted by Pat and Rosie (www.rosiebrooks.com )

Sep 13, 2022

Masks, both literal and figurative, abound in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, “A Masked Ball.” Conspirators feign support of a leader they despise. A noblewoman must veil both her face and her feelings from her husband. The governor must put on a disguise to understand his subjects, and his beloved. The governor’s chief councilor dons a mask to take murderous revenge on him for an imagined betrayal. Even the setting itself, colonial Boston, is a thin disguise for the original setting, Sweden under Gustav III. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Michael Severance, long-serving bassoonist and contrabassoonist with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.

Aug 9, 2022

A beloved king becomes reviled by his family and his people as previously hidden dark deeds come to light. A young woman loses her innocence and freedom through the machinations of the lord of the underworld. The timeless ancient Greek stories of King Oedipus and Persephone captured the imagination of Igor Stravinsky, a composer unafraid to present drama in new and unexpected formats. Join Opera for Everyone as we explore the characters, and the powerful music of these two short operas. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille

Jun 27, 2022

There is no secular story nearly so important to the Western tradition as the Odyssey , a timeless tale of heroism, achievement, and loss. The subject matter of this epic poem has found its way into many works of art, and likely the earliest opera adaptation was Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria , first performed in 1639 in the city of Venice. Monteverdi’s opera tells one of the oldest remembered human stories through the new form of art of which he was one of the pioneers, the opera. His reimaginings of Greek myth often fused Christian and pagan elements into a beautiful and complex melange, and this is no exception. At once philosophical and lyrical, Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria comes to us from a very different time from our own, but continues to thrill through its inventiveness and beauty. Hosted by Pat and Grant

Apr 23, 2022

We all know that feeling when we want to marry one rebel leader, but our father wants us to marry the chief rebel leader, but then one day a wandering king disguised as a huntsman starts chatting us up on the moors. With this timeless and relatable set-up (based on a poem by Sir Walter Scott that is credited with starting the Scottish Romantic movement) Rossini crafts an opera that blends romance and political intrigue. Featuring a druid chorus, a major character unceremoniously killed offstage, and an unexpectedly happy ending, La Donna del Lago (“The Lady of the Lake”) is a wonderful example not only of Rossini's beautiful music, but also of Sir Walter Scott's seldom-read masterpiece. Hosted by Pat Wright and Kathleen van de Wille For more of Kathleen's musings on the power and possibilities of story, read and subscribe to Constructive Criticism on Substack. (Discussed at 1:44:01 on this podcast.)

Mar 5, 2022

Meet Maestro Joseph Rescigno–gentleman, author, and opera conductor extraordinaire. The Maestro joins OFE for this wide-ranging discussion of the how, what, and why of conducting opera. Drawing on material from his book, Conducting Opera: Where Theater Meets Music , and a lifetime of conducting opera around the world, Maestro Rescigno brings a unique perspective to the theory and practice of operatic composition and performance. In the second half, we explore Richard Strauss’ unusual and fascinating Ariadne auf Naxos , which hybridizes myth and psychodrama, opera and commedia dell'arte . Hosted by Pat

Jan 25, 2022

Leos Janacek’s opera about a clever little fox living in the worlds of both animals and humans has many of the charming and amusing elements expected of traditional children’s stories. However, don’t let this Cunning Little Vixen fool you. Her story, and the story of the forester who pursues her, are richly layered with issues that may glide over the heads of young opera-goers while leaving the adults in the room pondering as they smile at the sly references. Hosted by Pat and Rosie Brooks

Dec 12, 2021

Beatrice and Benedick often steal the show in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with their sharp-tongued banter, and a romance that is as unlikely as it is inevitable. Composer Hector Berlioz was captivated by these characters, and turned their story into an operatic romantic comedy in his final completed opera, Béatrice et Bénédict . As the music soars and sparkles, join us for this “merry war!” Hosted by Pat, and Kathleen Van De Wille

Nov 8, 2021

What does Salvador Dali have in common with opera? Listen to this episode to find out! This episode features special guests soprano Elizaveta Ulakhovich and baritone Perry Sook talking about their work and lives as an operatic couple. Their newest project is a YouTube series that connects their love of opera and their exploration of the visual arts. Join us for a unique episode featuring romance, creativity, and adventure. Hosted by Pat and Grant

Oct 23, 2021

All things must come to an end, but few approach endings with such grace as Marschallin Marie-Therese, the iconic character of Der Rosenkavalier . At once epic and intimate in scope, Strauss’s masterwork resists characterization, at various points telling the story of the end of a romance, the end of adolescence, and the end of an empire. Published on the eve of the First World War, this opera masterfully intertwines traditional and modern subjects to produce an epic story of nobility, violence, and the achievement of wisdom. Working together, Strauss and playwright-librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal created one of the finest stories ever told. Hosted by Pat and Grant

Aug 30, 2021

Riding high on the tide of their smash success, H.M.S. Pinafore , W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan enjoyed celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic. While engaged in defending the integrity of their work against inferior pirated versions, they hastily completed and premiered a show about a group of inferior pirates. Pirates of Penzance is almost certainly Gilbert and Sullivan’s most enduringly popular collaboration, giving us memorable tunes and characters such as the steadfast Mabel, the swashbuckling Pirate King, and the Very Model of a Modern Major General. By turns hilarious, incisive, and thrilling, this masterful operetta is a joy to experience. Furthermore, in keeping with the spirit of a Gilbert and Sullivan presentation, we have a one-act “opener,” Cox and Box . This show, though comic and tuneful, pre-dates the famous partnership, and pairs Sullivan’s compositions with a libretto by F.C. Burnand. It’s a charming farce, with a most unusual lullabye! Hosted by Pat and Rosie

Jul 18, 2021

This extended version of our William Tell show includes everything from the regular length show, plus more history, more music, more explication, and more fun! Imperial soldiers, determined rebels, a martyred elder, a plucky youth, a noble princess, a cruel oppressor… it’s not Star Wars; it’s Rossini’s final opera, William Tell! First performed in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Era and inspired by much earlier legends of a medieval Swiss folk hero, this opera is a masterwork of everything we love about opera. It tells a story that is at once personal, specific in time and place, and yet universal at its core. Join host Pat, who, with the help of co-hosts Kathleen and Grant, takes a deep dive into this Bel Canto masterpiece which is both utterly Romantic, and yet completely clear-eyed about the struggle of freedom versus oppression and oppression, shaped by the all-important power of love.

Jul 18, 2021

Imperial soldiers, determined rebels, a martyred elder, a plucky youth, a noble princess, a cruel oppressor… it’s not Star Wars; it’s Rossini’s final opera, William Tell! First performed in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Era and inspired by much earlier legends of a medieval Swiss folk hero, this opera is a masterwork of everything we love about opera. It tells a story that is at once personal, specific in time and place, and yet universal at its core. Join host Pat, who, with the help of co-hosts Kathleen and Grant, takes a deep dive into this Bel Canto masterpiece which is both utterly Romantic, and yet completely clear-eyed about the struggle of freedom versus oppression and oppression, shaped by the all-important power of love.

Jun 18, 2021

An adventurous Renaissance artist’s action-packed autobiography provided compelling inspiration for Hector Berlioz’s first completed opera, Benvenuto Cellini . Berlioz strongly identified with the notorious Cellini, seeing in him a mirror of his own bravado, skill, and passion… and uses this identification to add to the story. The result is a relentlessly entertaining opera that is by turns comic, poignant, farcical, political, and romantic. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille

May 25, 2021

How do you get from The Opera to The Musical? Any answer to that question would have to include the powerhouse Victorian English duo of Gilbert and Sullivan and their ground-breaking form of “light opera.” Hilarious, cheerful, and energetic, they innovated both in opera and satirical comedy. Not only were they beloved by theater-goers of the late nineteenth century, they remain popular to this day, influencing the creators of drama, film, and musical theater. This episode of Opera For Everyone focuses on two of Gilbert and Sullivan’s earliest successes, Trial by Jury and H.M.S. Pinafore . Join us for a close look at these two delightful shows. Hosted by Pat and Rosie.

Apr 5, 2021

Although only included in some versions of the biblical book of Daniel, the story of “Susanna and the Elders” has long been a favorite artistic subject thanks to its risqué content and virtuous heroine, Susanna. Inspired by this story of lechery, slander, and condemnation, American composer Carlisle Floyd wrote Susannah , a poignant opera about the consequences of people’s judgement of one another. On this special episode, Pat is joined by two opera singers, Mariah Wilcox and Evan Dunn, who share some of their performance experiences, as well as take a close look at the opera Susannah . Evan and Mariah also host Take the Stage: The Opera Podcast , which provides encouragement and support to singers as they develop their careers. takethestageopera.com This episode hosted by Pat with guest co-hosts Evan Dunn and Mariah Wilcox

Mar 17, 2021

A beautiful young woman with long golden hair; a charming young prince who lives in a castle in the fantastic land of Allemonde… While these may be the ingredients for a classic fairy-tale, this story subverts all expectations. First performed in the opening decade of the twentieth century, Pelléas et Mélisande is the only opera ever completed by the famed composer Claude Debussy. Based on a symbolist play, Pelléas et Mélisande marked the debut of a new kind of story-telling... and a new kind of opera. The characters may not live “happily ever after,” but this opera is unmissable, not least for Debussy’s unique and exquisite music. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille

Feb 13, 2021

It’s not just modern interpreters who poke fun at distinguished personages of the mythic past. In the mid-nineteenth century, Jacques Offenbach turned the Orpehus and Euridice story on its head in his smash-hit, Orpheus in the Underworld. This work, in addition to giving us the infamous “Can-Can,” started an international craze for toe-tapping, fun-loving operettas. Join us for raucous fun with ancient gods and heroes. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Rosie Brooks.

Jan 18, 2021

In the palace of the Duke of Mantua in 1607, composer Claudio Monteverdi presented a ground-breaking “musical fable” to a select group. The music may sound Medieval to our ears, but it was truly modern at the time, and proved itself an early Baroque masterpiece. Four centuries later, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo is still in the repertoire, tugging on the heartstrings of the audience members who long to see the master-musician Orpheus rewarded for a devotion to his beloved Euridice that takes him to the very depths of hell. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Grant

Dec 23, 2020

Join Opera for Everyone this holiday season as we explore Hector Berlioz’s unusual take on the Christmas story, L’Enfance du Christ. Instead of telling the familiar story culminating in the adoration of the newborn babe, Berlioz composed both music and text to begin with the immediate challenges that followed the birth of the son who had just arrived into the family of Mary and Joseph. We hope you are as enchanted as we are by this fascinating and powerful piece by the man who also composed Symphonie Fantastique, and La Damnation de Faust. Hosted by Pat and Grant.

Dec 9, 2020

In Franz Lehar's operetta The Merry Widow, the men cheerfully complain "the study of women is hard," and the women dance circles around them! Premiered in the early twentieth century, The Merry Widow was an international sensation on an unprecedented scale. Its songs were widely distributed, its action adapted into films, and its costumes imitated widely in department stores. Come for the music, stay for the parties… all three of them! You never know, you might just find yourself a fan! Hosted by Pat with illustrator and opera-lover Rosie Brooks

Nov 14, 2020

To thine own self be true… with the source material, however, you can be more flexible. In the mid-19th century, Ambroise Thomas created a Grand Opera that took on what many consider the greatest play ever written. Travel through a familiar story made all new by a romantic focus and a twist ending! Who will live? Who will die? Who will get herself to a nunnery? Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille.

Oct 17, 2020

The young ones in your life may not be ready to sit through the entire Ring Cycle, but we can assure you that the world of opera has many delights available to them. On this episode Keely and Pat are joined by special guest, illustrator and opera aficionado Rosie Brooks. Rosie has combined these two passions, and has been drawing the stories of operas for a children’s book she is in the process of creating. We sheepishly admit we have taken her away from this important work to chat about songs and operas with some appeal to children, in no particular order. Like child’s play! Hosted by Keely and Pat with special guest illustrator and opera-lover Rosie Brooks

Sep 16, 2020

A beautiful diva arrives just in time to shed new light on an inheritance case that is a century old. She doesn’t behave like other women, and somehow she knows exactly where to locate the will that has eluded searchers for generations. The mystery grows more perplexing and incomprehensible, as the characters grow ever more extreme in their behaviors. The Makropulos Case by Leoš Janáček is a taut mystery enriched with lush music that also asks us to consider the value of our own mortality. Hosted by Keely and Pat

Aug 24, 2020

The Devil takes center stage in this opera based on the Faust story: a timeless tale of the seductive nature of evil and the redemptive promise of grace. Known primarily for his many successful libretti, Arrigo Boito gave his full poetic, philosophical, and musical talents to this, his only complete opera. This is the third in a series of Opera For Everyone podcasts featuring operas based on Goethe’s “Faust.” Also in the series: Episode 76 "La Damnation de Faust" by Hector Berlioz, and Episode 78 "Faust" by Charles Gounod. All three are hosted by Pat and guest co-host Kathleen Van De Wille.

Aug 1, 2020

A deal with the Devil; a Faustian bargain. When an elderly scholar prays to the Devil in desperation, he learns that it might not be wise to let the Devil answer his prayers. Faust gains only transitory pleasures but causes the pitiful downfall of a naive young woman. This story takes a close look at the relationship between that woman and the scholar. Composer Charles Gounod’s take on the Goethe play gives us sumptuous music and one of the great enduring operas in the repertoire. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille

Jul 20, 2020

A beautiful woman encounters a handsome prince near her home. She cannot tell the prince that she loves him, but her passion is so powerful that she chooses to give up her family and voice in order to appear to him and win his love. His wavering commitment, however, dooms them both. Antonin Dvorak’s opera Rusalka soars with vibrant music and invites us to ponder what makes us human. Hosted by Keely and Pat

Jul 3, 2020

Faust, an aging scholar, despairs that the world holds no further interest for him. But the crafty devil Mephistopheles appears and invites Faust to pleasures not found in his books. Of course, it is never wise to make a deal with the Devil. The epic tale of the downfall of Faust and the innocent woman he drags with him is sublimely illustrated by Hector Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen Van De Wille

Jun 14, 2020

These are not Shakespeare’s Montagues and Capulets! Based on the original medieval Italian source material, Bellini’s take on the star-crossed lovers portrays Romeo as a young man who knows his mind and leads an army. Juliet loves Romeo deeply, but must contend with both external and internal impediments to realizing any happiness with her beloved. Join us for the soaring Bel Canto version of the famous tale of lovers from rival clans.

May 15, 2020

Young Werther is the embodiment of Romanticism. He swoons for nature, sighs for love, and marvels at the innocence of childhood. These impulses, however, can turn dark when his desires are thwarted. A sensation when it was published, Goethe’s story of a young poet in love, captured the imagination of a generation. Massenet’s riveting opera takes us into the world of a sensitive poet and the object of his desire. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Kathleen Van de Wille

May 3, 2020

Rossini’s witty and urbane Le Comte Ory is a comic opera full of mirth and ridiculous disguises. Meet the randy Comte Ory and his merry band of singing knights. While the decent men of the castle are away in the Holy Land, the Comte plays the part of a hermit, a female pilgrim... anything to cozy up to the lovely Countess Adele. Though his plans are foiled, we suspect the Comte will repeat his efforts countless times in the years to come. Hosted by Keely and Pat.

Apr 17, 2020

When a young princess's depraved stepfather asks her to dance, she sees a way to satisfy her lust for the imprisoned John (the Baptist). Based on an Oscar Wilde play dramatizing a biblical story, the opera Salome was shocking and enticing for audiences, and a critical success for composer Richard Strauss early in his career. Hosted by Pat, Grant & new guest co-host, Jocelyn

Apr 1, 2020

In the last of a series of five special episodes, Keely and Pat play some of opera’s great works around a theme of triumph and celebration. Get ready to humm, sing, and dance along to these heart-pumping pieces!

Mar 31, 2020

The fourth in a series of five special episodes takes a close look at Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. This powerfully dramatic work was partly inspired by Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony... and partly by one particularly tumultuous year in Tchaikovsky’s own turbulent life. Fortunately, he endured his troubles with the help of one remarkable woman, to whom music-lovers everywhere are forever indebted.

Mar 30, 2020

The third in a series of five special episodes explores Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Berlioz uses this symphony to illustrate episodes in “the life of an artist.” Autobiography, soaring imagination, and quintessential Romantic sensibilities combine to create Berlioz’s compelling and much-loved Symphonie Fantastique.

Mar 27, 2020

This first in a series of five special OFE episodes explores overtures by Rossini. He was such a master of the form, that he set the standard and spawned countless imitators. Among them, Rossini himself, who used one particular overture for four different operas!

Mar 12, 2020

This extended version of our Don Carlos show includes everything from the regular length show, plus a little more music and a lot more history! Don Carlos, son of King Philip II of Spain, is bethrothed to the daughter of the King of France. In this romantic portrayal of history, they fall in love at first sight, but their happiness is dashed when Philip II decides to make Elizabeth his own bride. The drama of this royal family is complicated by Carlos’s idealistic comrade, Elizabeth’s too-beautiful friend, Carlos’s own impetuous behavior, the ominous specter of Philip II’s devout father, and the threatening presence of the Spanish Inquisition. Join us for this Italian master’s French Grand Opera. Hosted by Keely and Pat

Mar 12, 2020

Don Carlos, son of King Philip II of Spain, is bethrothed to the daughter of the King of France. In this romantic portrayal of history, they fall in love at first sight, but their happiness is dashed when Philip II decides to make Elizabeth his own bride. The drama of this royal family is complicated by Carlos’s idealistic comrade, Elizabeth’s too-beautiful friend, Carlos’s own impetuous behavior, the ominous specter of Philip II’s devout father, and the threatening presence of the Spanish Inquisition. Join us for this Italian master’s French Grand Opera. Hosted by Keely and Pat

Feb 15, 2020

An ambitious mother, a pliable son, amorous courtiers, a headstrong emperor, a quick-witted lady, and an upstanding army commander. All historical figures from first century Rome, these are the characters who scheme, intrigue, and try to survive in Handel’s first wildly successful opera. Join us for a Baroque treasure which uses a grand setting along and comic elements, to explore human truths. Hosted by Keely and Pat

Jan 28, 2020

A young woman falls in love with a handsome young man who saves her from a wild beast. This Bel Canto classic is not, however, a simple love story. Based on the Walter Scott novel The Bride of Lammermoor, this opera puts the fragile Lucia at the center of the competing demands of her brother, her spiritual mentor, and her beloved. It’s enough to make anyone crack, and crack she does, in spectacular form, resulting in opera’s most famous “mad scene.” Join us for the spectacular, haunting music of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Hosted by Pat and special guest co-host Kathleen Van de Wille

Jan 11, 2020

The torment and passion of a young wife living in a small town on the Volga River inspire exquisitely lush music from the incomparable Czech composer Leoš Janáček. Káta Kabanová dreams of soaring like a bird, but falls to earthly desires. As she yearns to take to the sky, her young lover prophetically notes, “Life is much easier for a man. I shall be free to do as I wish, but you. . .” Hosted by Keely and Pat

Dec 24, 2019

Join the world of fairy tales as two lost, hungry, playful, and resourceful children spring forth toward adventure and danger. Engelbert Humperdinck first began to write these songs to accompany his family's production of a holiday show. Before long he developed it into a tuneful, lush, and perennially successful opera, a staple of the holiday season. This third annual holiday special is hosted by Keely and Pat.

Dec 8, 2019

Elvira has it all... youth, beauty, and three determined suitors. But her blessings turn into a curse as passion and power collide. It is good to be king... and emperor too. Based on a story by Victor Hugo, this opera was the first of many collaborations between Verdi and librettist Francesco Maria Piave. Hosted by Keely and Pat.

Nov 21, 2019

Thirty-three centuries ago, a doomed visionary Pharaoh tried to remake the world in honor of his god. Thirty-five years ago, a brilliant composer created a powerful opera that explored the wonder and the tragedy of that ancient dreamer. Philip Glass's Akhnaten combines modern music with a libretto in ancient languages to break through the centuries and tell a timeless tale. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Grant.

Nov 1, 2019

With Orfeo ed Euridice, Christoph Willibald Gluck turned to an ancient story to show that he could create a new kind of opera. Powerful music displays powerful emotion, and this story tells us that the strongest emotion of all is love. You may know the myth of Orpheus and Euridice, but this Classical opera presents a version of the story in which love and music team up to change the will of the gods. Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Petria.

Oct 16, 2019

In Puccini’s final opera, the icy princess Turandot inspires The Unknown Prince to risk his life in the hope of winning her hand. His quest does not require the usual feats of derring-do... Instead, he must battle wits with her. Though he ultimately triumphs, the cost is terrible.

Sep 25, 2019

In Giacomo Puccini's first major hit, Manon Lescaut, we meet the adventurous young Manon as she is headed to a convent to live out the rest of her days. Soon, however, she finds herself torn between a man she loves, and a man whose wealth she loves. Based on the novel by Abbé Prévost, this story found its home in opera, serving as the basis for two wildly successful versions. Come hear how magnificently the "medium of excess" tells a story of a woman who wants it all. Hosted by Pat Wright with special guest Petria Fossel.

Sep 7, 2019

Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette is an operatic take on Shakespeare’s timeless and tragic tale of young love bursting through old hatreds. Gounod’s sumptuous music exquisitely transports us into the world of the Juliette Capulet and Roméo Montague. Just say yes to this timeless love story's sweet sorrow. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Aug 21, 2019

Hector Berlioz’s opera “Les Troyens” is an opera on a truly epic scale, with a story based on the oldest and most successful fan fiction ever written: The Aneid, Virgil's take on the great warrior from the siege of Troy presented in Homer's Illiad. This opera’s tale includes three continents, two legendary founders of empires, and one love story that definitely doesn’t go according to plan. If roaming Romans romancing roving refugee rowers is your thing (or maybe if you just like operas that give costumers a lot to work with), you will love “Les Troyens!” Hosted by Pat and guest co-host Grant.

Jul 28, 2019

Even if you think you don’t know Opera, you know something of Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. The tunes pervade our culture, and for good reason, popping up in films, television, and advertisements. They not only convey the passion and identity of characters who seduce and beguile, but the melodies remain long after the show has ended. Join us for Bizet’s masterpiece, the story of woman who insists on freedom, but cannot escape her fate. Hosted by Pat Wright and special guest co-host Greg.

Jul 13, 2019

This episode we present, Handel’s Xerxes, an opera that initially failed at the box office for being too silly and unorthodox. Today’s audiences love it. . . for being so silly and unorthodox. This Baroque opera features the ancient king of Persia, mistaken identities, disguises, and an unusually seductive tree. This work is distinguished by its unusual arrangement of vocal parts: a woman singing as a man, a man singing in the female range, and one part whose casting requirements are totally different now than they were 300 years ago. With Pat and special guest co-host Grant.

Jul 1, 2019

Rossini’s exuberant Opera Buffa, The Barber of Seville, features the irrepressible jack-of-all-trades Figaro. This Bel Canto masterpiece is where you will hear the quintessential opera piece “Largo al Factorum,” best known for the glorious (and comic) repetitions of “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro. . .” Everyone clamors for Figaro’s attention, and in this wild romp he assists Count Almavia to wed Rosina, the lovely ward of the greedy Dr. Bartolo. No marriage for Figaro here—that’s a different opera! With Pat and guest co-host, Petria Fossel.

Jun 15, 2019

Have you ever wondered just who that woman with the blond braids, shining breastplate, and iconic opera helmet might be? Meet Brünhilde and her clan in the in this epic tale. Dwarfs, water nymphs, giants, dragons, forbidden love, heroes, gods, mortals, greed, pride, lust, resentment, the beginning of time, the end of time, what happens in between, fire, marriage, blood, flying horses, a magic sword, contract law—it’s all here in one of history’s greatest works of art, Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, the story of the accursed golden ring of infinite power. With Pat and guest co-host, Petria Fossel.

Jun 2, 2019

With unabashed romanticism, Gaetano Donizetti sweeps us into the passions of the final days of Mary Queen of Scots in his Bel Canto masterpiece, Maria Stuarda. Donizetti seeks not accuracy in history and politics, but to explore the boundaries of affection and loyalty by imagining a tragic love-triangle involving Mary Stuart, Queen Elizabeth I, and Elizabeth’s favourite, the Earl of Leicester. Only one woman will survive. Keely and Pat co-host. Now you can feast on all three of Donizetti’s “Tudor Queen Operas” on Opera for Everyone: Anna Bolena, Episode 53; Maria Stuarda, Episode 54; Roberto Devereaux, Episode 44.

May 11, 2019

Donizetti dazzles in the Bel Canto masterpieces that comprise his Tudor Queen “trilogy.” In Anna Bolena, the first of these, Henry VIII has turned against his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and decided to make Anne’s lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour, his next queen – in this take, for reasons of passion not dynastic politics. Opera For Everyone will soon be presenting the second Tudor Queen opera, Maria Stuarda, and you can find the third opera, Roberto Devereaux, as Episode 44. Enjoy these presentations of English “history” from an unabashedly Italian perspective. Keely and Pat co-host.

Apr 26, 2019

Arabella delights with its lyric comedy and fascinates with its depth of psychological insight. This sixth and final collaboration between composer Richard Strauss and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, a society opera set in nineteenth century Vienna, continuously surprises as the story unfolds. Is that a trouser role or a humorous play on operatic convention? Exactly who is doing the plotting in this marriage plot? When is a glass of water more than just a glass of water? With special guest co-host Greg.

Apr 6, 2019

Join us for Gaetano Donizetti’s exquisite Bel Canto comic opera, La Fille du Régiment. Found as a baby on the battlefield, Marie was raised by the regiment. Her true love, Tonio, enlists to be by her side, but it’s complicated. Pavarotti, as Tonio, in the role that made him Pavarotti. Dame Joan Sutherland as Marie.

Mar 21, 2019

Rossini’s La Cenerentola is subtitled “Goodness Triumphant,” and in this opera we see a joyful celebration of goodness. It is the familiar Cinderella story, but without the magical elements. Magic is unnecessary for the larger-than-life characters in this Bel Canto Opera Buffa. Join us for this delightful opera, with special guest Christine Goodman.

Feb 9, 2019

Adriana Lecouvreur, by composer Francesco Cilea and librettist Arturo Colautti, is an opera that exquisitely dramatizes the life of the great French actress Adrienne Lecouvreur of the Comédie Française. Adriana Lecouvreur’s story is based on the play by Eugène Scribe, and as well as being the central character of Cilea’s soaring and heart-breaking opera, she has been portrayed on screen by such acting greats as Sarah Bernhardt and Joan Crawford. Join us for the twists and turns of this beloved, dramatic woman’s life. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Jan 27, 2019

Richard Wagner’s earliest opera in repertoire, The Flying Dutchman: once every seven years, the black ghost ship with blood-red sails enters port, and its captain goes ashore in search of faithful love to redeem his curse. With special guest, Greg.

Jan 8, 2019

In describing La Traviata, Verdi called it “a subject for our time.” Though the pressures and expectations of the mid-19th century opera world required setting it in the previous century, La Traviata is a timeless and tuneful look at some of the most raw and enduring emotions of humankind. It is justifiably one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. In the spirit of Opera for Everyone, if you liked Rent or Moulin Rouge, listen to the story of this opera of “the fallen woman” who was part of the inspiration for both. In this episode, host Pat and special guest-co-host Grant take a close look at the story and that is both behind and within it. And if that’s not enough, this opera boasts one of the world’s great drinking songs!

Dec 24, 2018

In this second annual Holiday Special, host Pat Wright is joined by frequent guest co-host Grant Wright to take a close look and listen to that long-standing Christmas favorite, Handel’s Messiah. Neither an opera, nor Christmas music (it was an oratorio written for the Easter season), Messiah tells a sweeping story using words selected and compiled entirely from the Bible by Charles Jennens, and set to the magnificent and enduring music that George Frideric Handel composed in the mid-eighteenth century. Learn the context of the spectacular Hallelujah Chorus, and enjoy this baroque masterpiece.

Dec 10, 2018

La Fanciulla Del West, The Girl of the Golden West, is a three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini that premiered at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1910. Set in gold rush California, this is the story of a saloon owner, the desperado she loves, and the sheriff who loves her and wants him dead. With special guest, Greg.

Nov 26, 2018

Roberto Devereaux, from 1837, is a Bel Canto opera by Gaetano Donizetti set at the end of the end of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. The opera is the third of Donizetti’s “Tudor Queen Operas,” preceded by Anna Bolena (1830) and Maria Stuarda (1835). The man, Roberto Devereaux, is the last in a series of courtiers favored by the famous Virgin Queen. However, Roberto has seriously disappointed both Elizabeth and Parliament. Matters of state and matters of the heart provided inspiration for both librettist Salvatore Cammaramo and composer Donizetti. English history was a starting point, but the story is not limited to the facts. Invention and imagination soar with the beautiful Bel Canto tunes. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Nov 5, 2018

Samson et Dalila is Camille Saint-Saëns’ magnificent three-act opera based on the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, with a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. It premiered in 1877 and remains the sole opera in the popular modern opera repertoire by this prolific composer. In the opera we see Samson struggle to not only to convince his people to remain true to their beliefs, but also struggle with himself to resist the temptations of the beautiful and seductive Delilah. Though you may know “how the story ends,” there is nothing to compare to the power of the operatic dramatization of the unfolding events. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Oct 21, 2018

Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni & I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo are arguably Opera’s most well-known double-bill. Two verismo operas, they each present an unvarnished “slice of life” in small-town Italy of the late 19th century. Direct and compressed, the stories of both operas feature lust, infidelity, merriment and murder. Cavalleria Rusticana, “Rustic Chivalry” uses splendid music to amplify human passions, particularly those of a young man and young woman who never quite become a couple. I Pagliacci tells the tale of the man behind the clown’s mask, those in his orbit, and shows the danger of believing in simple characters we see on stage. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Oct 5, 2018

Aida premiered in Cairo in December 1871. Giuseppe Verdi’s four-act opera, Aida, was commissioned for the newly constructed opera house in Cairo, following the celebrations for the opening of the Suez Canal. Taking inspiration from a third century story discovered by Egyptologist Auguste Marietta, librettist Antonio Ghislanzoni worked with Verdi to create a drama which is both grand and intimate, set in Egypt, “in the time of the Pharaohs.” The opera’s magnificent music depicts spectacle and triumph for the state, and praise for the gods. It also brings us close to all of the emotions of three people caught up in a high-stakes love triangle. Join us for a story of achingly beautiful tenderness, soaring triumph, and devoted resignation on this episode of Opera for Everyone. Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Oct 3, 2018

A Baroque-style opera by George Frideric Handel, Rodelinda premiered in 1725 in London. Considered by Beethoven to be “the greatest composer who ever lived,” Handel created operas which tug at our emotions and fill our senses. The title character of Rodelinda is a queen who is under house-arrest following the supposed death of her royal husband. She rebuffs the persistent advances of his usurper and his scheming advisor, all while bravely protecting her young son. Events do not go smoothly when her husband returns on the scene. Dare we hope for a happy ending? Find out on this episode of Opera for Everyone.

Sep 23, 2018

La Rondine, “The Swallow,” is an opera in three acts by the famed Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and librettist Giuseppe Adami which had its premiere in 1917 in Monte Carlo. Originally commissioned to write an operetta by the Carltheater in Vienna, Puccini decided in favor of a full opera. La Rondine refers to the title character, Magda, who opens the story as the glittering hostess of a lively Parisian party in the apartment she shares with a wealthy elder gentleman, Rambaldo. One of the guests, the poet Prunier, opines on romantic love, and Magda wistfully recalls a brief romance of her youth, and considers the possibility of finding romance once again, in spite of her very stable and practical current arrangement. Magda’s spunky maid, Lisette, announces the arrival of a young man from the countryside, and, well, you can imagine how events might unfold. . . Hosted by Pat Wright and Keely Herron.

Sep 9, 2018

Il Trittico is a set of three one-act operas by Giacomo Puccini that premiered in 1918. The first opera, IlTabarro, centers on an evening in the life of river workers on a barge in Paris’s Seine of the early 20th century. The second opera, Suor Angelica, takes place entirely in a convent and features only female singers. It is set in the late 17th century, and give a glimpse into life of the convent sisters and how they manage their desires. The final opera, Gianni Schicchi, is comedic and cautionary tale. Inspired by Dante’s Canto 30 on falsifiers, Gianni Schicchi, shows a world of two emotions: greed and love. Love may triumph, but greed keeps us astonished and amused.

Aug 26, 2018

Madama Butterfly is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. It premiered at Milan’s LaScala in 1903, and with a few revisions by Puccini after its opening, it has become one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. Inspired to make the story into an opera after seeing David Belasco’s play Madame Butterfly in London, Puccini created one of the most beloved characters in the world of opera. The story focuses on a young Japanese woman, Butterfly, who marries and American naval officer, Pinkerton, who is stationed in Nagasaki. The two marry, but have a very different understanding of the meaning of this cross-cultural marriage. These different understandings have tragic results for Butterfly. Puccini’s music is lush and powerful, at times including influences from America and Japan. In this episode of Opera for Everyone we discuss both the opera, and the popular stories which led to its creation.

Aug 12, 2018

Rigoletto is a three-act opera by Guiseppe Verdi, first performed in 1851 in Venice. In this episode we follow the story of Duke of Mantua's jester, Rigoletto. He gleefully mocks members of the court for the amusement of the Duke, earning the enmity of the courtiers, and the powerful curse of a father whose daughter the Duke has dishonored. However, the seemingly heartless Rigoletto hides a tender secret-- his lovely and innocent daughter Gilda. Her sweetness is no match for the crafty, carousing Duke and his courtiers. This opera has complex drama, and one of the all-time great opera tunes, La Donna è Mobile.

Jun 4, 2018

il Trovatore is a powerful and tuneful opera in four acts by the great master, Giuseppe Verdi. Il Trovatore, "The Troubadour," premiered in Rome in January 1853. Set in 1409, during a period of civil war in Spain, Il Trovatore is a story that illustrates the mortal danger inherent in an unrelenting pursuit of vengeance. Alas, in this story, love does not triumph. It's strong human drama, heightened by Verdi's incomparable compositions.

May 28, 2018

Ariadne auf Naxos, an opera in German, is the creation of composer Richard Strauss and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal. The original version of the opera premiered in 1912, following the enormous success that Strauss and von Hofmannsthal had with Der Rosenkavalier the prior year. This version, most commonly performed in modern times, is the second version by the duo, and was premiered by the Vienna state opera in 1916. The opera is, by turns, a serious treatment of an ancient myth, a sly social commentary, and a comedic mash-up of low and high art.

Apr 29, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Cosi Fan Tutte, the third collaboration between composer Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart and Italian librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. Cosi Fan Tutte overflows with lush Mozart tunes paired with delightful and profound lyrics by Da Ponte. Cosi Fan Tutte premiered in 1790 at the Burgtheater in Vienna. While sometimes considered a charming romp, Cosi Fan Tutte tackles serious issues of gender, class, and evil with a deft touch. We invite you to enjoy this exquisite opera. Hosted by Pat Wright with special guest Greg

Apr 29, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Idomeneo, an opera seria in three acts by Mozart with an Italian libretto by Giambattista Varesco. The work was commissioned by Karl Theodor, Elector of Bavaria and premiered on 29 January 1781 at the Cuvilliés Theatre in Munich, Germany, as part of a court carnival. The opera tells the story of Idomeneo, the King of Crete, his son Idamante, and the princess Ilia, who Idomeneo captured when he defeated Ilia's father the Trojan king Priam in the Trojan war.

Apr 10, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Semiramide by Gioachino Rossini which is based on Voltaire's tragedy Semiramis, which in turn was based on the legend of Semiramis of Assyria. This is an opera in two acts set to an Italian libretto by Gaetano Rossi. The story is set in the ancient kingdom of Assyria and the action takes place in Babylon around the Eight Century BCE. Semiramide is a queen whose husband, King Ninus, died 15 years prior to the action of this story. The opera begins as Semiramide is about to announce who will be Assyria's next King. The queen's covert lover, Assur, is certain his loyalty over the past 15 years will be rewarded with a crown. Several hopeful candidates have arrived including Arsace, who is later revealed to be Nino - the long lost son of Semiramide and King Ninus. Arsace is in love with the princess Azema, who is also in love with him. We learn that before the King was killed and Arsace/Nino was taken away, that he and Azema were betrothed. Although it's unclear why they have such strong feelings upon first encountering one another their destiny together seems sealed. The story follows the twists and turns of several hopeful Kings jockeying for position, and the appearance of the ghost of King Ninus who reveals that Arsace is his son and that he must avenge his death by killing Semiramide or Assur who conspired to kill the King 15 years ago. In the end, Nino, Semiramide, and Assur descend into the tomb of King Ninus, and Nino is compelled to avenge his father's death. In the dark of the tomb, Nino takes aim and strikes - only to learn that he has killed his mother when he intended to kill Assur. The opera ends on a happier note with the marriage of Nino and Azema. Hosted by Keely Herron and Pat Wright.

Mar 30, 2018

On today's episode of Opera for Everyone, we review Handel's opera Tamerlano. The story takes place in 1402 in Prusa. The defeated Ottoman Emperor Bajazet is brought in chains to the court of Tamerlano. He has ordered Andronico to remove the chains, but Bajazet is mistrustful of this action. Bajazet adds that the only reason he does not commit suicide is his love for his daughter, Asteria. Tamerlano arrives and orders Andronico to try to getn Bajazet and Asteria’s consent for Asteria to marry him, with a reward for Andronico of the Greek throne, marriage with Irene, and freedom for Bajazet. Andronico is troubled, as he brought his love Asteria to try and soften Tamerlano, only to see him fall in love with her. Tamerlano tells Asteria his intentions and the offer to Andronico, which makes her angry at Andronico’s seeming betrayal. Tamerlano is an opera in three acts written by George Frideric Handel with an Italian libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym. The story is based on the story of Tamerlano by Agostin Piovene, as well as another libretto entitled Bajazet after Nicolas Pradon's Tamerlan. Tamerlano is considered one of Handel's major works, and it was composed in only 20 days 1724 - the same year he wrote Giulio Cesare and Rodelinda. Hosted by Pat Wright with special guest Grant Wright.

Mar 16, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we review the much beloved opera classic LaBoheme by Giacomo Puccini.

Feb 23, 2018

This episode of Opera for Everyone features Luciano Pavarotti as Nemorino and Kathleen Battle as Adina in a 1990 Metropolitan Opera production of Gaetano Donizetti's L'Elisir D'Amore conducted by James Levine. This "Opera Buffa" - comedic opera - premiered in 1832 at Teatro Cannobiana, in Milan. The opera in two acts with a libretto by Felice Romani, is set in a small village in the Italian countryside. The story focuses on a romance between the beautiful young Adina, and Nemorino a shy and insecure man who works on her land. L'Elisir D'Amore is considered to represent the best of the bel canto tradition that reigned in Italian opera in the early 19th century The show-stopping tenor aria “Una furtiva lagrima” in Act II is a favorite aria for many opera lovers.

Feb 7, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini. Tosca is an opera in three acts with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered in 1900 in Rome, Italy at the Teatro Costanzi. The story is based on the French-language play "La Tosca" by Victorien Sardou. It's a melodrama set in Rome in June 1800, where Napoleon's invasion of Italy threatens the Kingdom of Naples' control of the city. The drama - based on real life events - focuses on an escaped political prisoner named Cesare Angelotti, his friend the famous painter Mario Cavaradossi, and Cavaradossi's lover, the beautiful, devout and talented singer Floria Tosca. Tosca is a passionate, dynamic opera fueled by deception, murder, suicide, and love, and it features some of Puccini's best-known and loved arias.

Jan 23, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to the Opera Otello by Guiseppe Verdi, and also continue our conversation with dramatic baritone Lester Lynch, who plays Iago in this production. Otello is an opera in four acts to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito. The opera is based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan in 1887. It follows the story of Otello, a moor commanding a military unit in Cyprus, his wife Desdemona, and several of his officers. Iago, an ensign, is jealous of his colleague Cassio who has been promoted to captain by Otello. Iago plots to make Otello suspicious that his wife is in love with Cassio and has been unfaithful. In the end, Otello kills Desdemona and then himself. Iago is unrepentant.

Jan 16, 2018

On this episode of Opera for Everyone, we welcome special guest Lester Lynch, who is a baritone opera singer performing with some of the world's leading operas. He discusses his album "On My Journey Now" a collection of spirituals and hymns, as well as his experience as an African-American vocalist and musician. This episode is in honor of the life, work and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Jan 9, 2018

Mozart & Salieri is an opera in one act by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov set to a Russian libretto taken almost verbatim from a novella of the same name by Alexandr Pushkin. It's based on the oft-disputed legend that Salieri poisoned Mozart out of jealousy for his genius. The novel occurs in a single afternoon and evening with Mozart dropping by Salieri's apartment in Vienna to play his nearly-completed "Requiem." The two go together to an inn for dinner where Salieri poisons Mozart.

Jan 6, 2018

On today's episode we listen to Manon by Jules Massenet, an opera in five acts set to a French Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille. The story is based on the 1731 novel "L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut" by the Abbé Prévost. The story begins in 1721 with a party of friends including Guillot Morfontain making merry at an Inn. Manon, escorted by her cousin Lescaut, of the Guards, arrives on her way to a convent. She is of the peasantry, but vain as well as beautiful. Guillot leaves his friends, to pay attention to the young girl. He meets with no success, and is finally compelled to retreat. The Chevalier Des Grieux, however, who appears upon the scene during the temporary absence of the cousin Lescaut, is more successful. Although about to take holy orders and become a priest, Des Grieux is charmed and infatuated by Manon's beauty and seeming simplicity; while she, in her vanity, seeks for a higher social position, and is also fascinated by the young Chevalier's manliness. The result is an almost immediate elopement of the pair. Act 2 begins in the couples cozy apartment in Paris. Before Des Grieux can secure his father's consent to their marriage the young man is placed in jeopardy by Lescaut and De Brétigny. The two men are soon pacified; shortly afterwards Des Grieux is seized by six men in the Count's (his father's) employ, and all taken away from Manon. In Act 3 we find Manon under protection of De Brétigny. But she learns that Des Grieux (whom she really loves) is now the priest at St. Sulpice; and she flies from Brétigny to win back her lover. In the second scene there is an interesting and dramatic situation, wherein Manon succeeds in inducing Des Grieux to renounce the priesthood and renew his love with Manon. In the 4th act is seen the interior of the gambling-house in Paris. Des Grieux is unjustly accused of cheating, and he and Manon are about to be arrested where Count Des Grieux appears and release the Chevalier; but Manon, through the effort of Guillot who seeks revenge, is condemned to jail and eventual deportation to the French colony Louisana. In the last scene, as Manon is being marched away to the ship that will take her to Louisiana, Manon again meets her lover Des Grieux, and dies in his arms.

Dec 10, 2017

On today's episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to The Magic Flute, also known as Die Zauberflöte, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It's an opera in two acts, first performed in Vienna in 1791. In this opera the Queen of the Night persuades Prince Tamino to rescue her daughter Pamina from captivity in the Temple of Wisdom under the high priest Sarastro. Tamino is accompanied on his quest to the Temple of Wisdom by the earthy Papageno, a bird-catcher, who is also looking for true love. Together they learn the high ideals of Sarastro's community and seek to join it. Separately, then together, Tamino and Pamina undergo severe trials of initiation, which end in triumph, and with the Queen and her cohorts vanquished. Papageno fails the trials completely but is nevertheless rewarded with the hand of his ideal female companion, Papagena. Image courtesy of Texas A&M University- Commerce Marketing Communications Photography

Dec 3, 2017

If you’ve never experienced an opera by Antonio Salieri, now is your chance. You may have seen the movie Amadeus, or heard that Salieri was the Austrian court composer whose jealousy was whispered to have played a part in Mozart’s early death. And though that rumor is probably a fiction, who could blame him for being jealous of the wunderkind Mozart? A highly accomplished composer in his own right, Salieri was mentored by Gluck, and in turn taught such pupils as Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Enjoy this tragic opera with us, based on the Greek mythological characters Danaus and Hypermnestra.

Dec 2, 2017

Ep. 16 I Puritani by Bellini broadcast 11.19.17 by Opera for Everyone

Dec 2, 2017

Mozart’s comic yet profound look at human nature and one crazy day in a wealthy Spanish household. The Marriage of Figaro, is an opera buffa (comic opera) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with an Italian libretto written by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The opera's libretto is based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro ("The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro"), which was first performed in 1784. It tells how the servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna and teaching him a lesson in fidelity. The opera is a cornerstone of the repertoire and appears consistently among the top ten in the Operabase list of most frequently performed operas.

Nov 14, 2017

In this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Norma, an opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after 'Norma, ou L'infanticide' by Alexandre Soumet. It was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26 December 1831. The action takes place in ancient Gaul, under Roman occupation, where the Druid priestess Norma has fallen in love with a Roman official named Pollione and has secretly borne him two children. Norma is also the daughter of the Druids' leader, Oroveso. Norma's young acolyte Adalgisa asks to be released from her vows as - unbeknownst to anyone - she's fallen in love with Pollione. Norma agrees to release Adalgisa from her vows, but when Pollione arrives, the truth comes out. Norma realizes that he has betrayed her with Adalgisa, and Adalgisa learns that Pollione had pledged himself to Norma. Norma tells Adalgisa to take the children and go live with Pollione in Rome, but Adalgisa refuses vowing to convince Pollione to return to Norma. Adalgisa is unsuccessful, and as the Druids are assembled in the temple, an intruder is captured and is revealed to be Pollione. The punishment for any outsider entering the temple is instant death, and Norma is prepared to kill him with the sacred dagger. Suddenly, Norma calls for her people, announcing that Pollione won't be killed after all. Instead, there's a new victim, one who has betrayed her country. "I am the guilty one," she says and then calls for the sacrificial pyre to be prepared. In her final words to her father, Norma admits that she is the mother of Pollione's children and asks the shocked Oroveso to protect them. Meanwhile, Norma's bravery revives Pollione's love for her. He steps to her side, and the opera closes as the two walk into the flames together.

Nov 10, 2017

This episode of Opera for Everyone features Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de Perles - The Pearl Fishers - which debuted in Paris at the Théâtre Lyrique, on September 30, 1863. It's an opera in three acts with a French libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré. The opera is a story of how two men's vow of eternal friendship is threatened by their love for the same woman, whose own dilemma is the conflict between secular love and her sacred oath as a priestess. The friendship duet "Au fond du temple saint", generally known as "The Pearl Fishers Duet," is one of the best-known numbers in Western opera.

Oct 25, 2017

In this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Lakme, an opera in three acts by Léo Delibes to a French libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. The score, written in 1881-2, was first performed on in 1883 by the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The story is set in British India in the mid-19th century, Lakmé is based on Théodore Pavie's story "Les babouches du Brahamane" and novel "Le Mariage de Loti" by Pierre Loti. The opera includes the popular Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais) performed in Act 1 by Lakmé, the daughter of a Brahmin priest, and her servant Mallika. The name Lakmé is the French rendition of Sanskrit Lakshmi, the name of the Hindu Goddess of Wealth. The opera's most famous aria is the Bell Song (L'Air des clochettes) in Act 2. Like other French operas of the period, Lakmé captures the ambience of the Orient seen through Western eyes, which was periodically in vogue during the latter part of the 19th century and in line with other operatic works such as Bizet's The Pearl Fishers and Massenet's Le roi de Lahore.[3] The subject of the opera was suggested by Gondinet as a vehicle for the American soprano Marie van Zandt.

Oct 15, 2017

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to Turandot, an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. The opera's version of the story is set in China, and involves Prince Calaf, who falls in love with the cold Princess Turandot. To obtain permission to marry her, a suitor has to solve three riddles; any wrong answer results in death. Calaf passes the test, but Turandot still refuses to marry him. He offers her a way out: if she is able to learn his name before dawn the next day, then at daybreak he will die. Prince Calaf's famous aria "Nessun Dorma" tells the story of Turandot's proclamation that "No one sleeps" so they can discover the name of the mysterious prince. In the end, Turandot doesn't discover his name, and he melts her heart and they are married. The opera was first performed in 1926, and although Puccini died in 1924 shortly before he finished the opera, it was completed by Franco Alfano.

Oct 8, 2017

On this episode of Opera for Everyone, we listen to Così Fan Tutte - an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and an Italian libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. It is an "opera buffa" - comedic opera - and is one of the three Mozart operas for which da Ponte wrote the libretto. The other two da Ponte-Mozart collaborations were "Le nozze di Figaro" and "Don Giovanni." It debuted in 1790 in Vienna's Burgtheater. The opera's full name is "Così fan Tutte - ossia La Scuola degli Amanti" which translates to "Thus Do They All - or The School For Lovers." It refers to the storyline where two young men - Guglielmo and Ferrando - agree to a bet with their older and wiser friend Don Alfonso who wagers that women can cheat just the way men do. Don Alfonso plots to have the men tell their fiancees - Dorabella and Firodiligi - that they have been called away on military duty immediately, and begins a scheme to seduce the young women thereby proving his assertion that women will stray, allowing him to win the bet. The surly hotel maid, Despina, plays a key role in Don Alfonso's plot helping him to introduce the ladies to two young male foreigners besotted with the young sisters. The "foreigners" are actually the soldiers in disguise. The plot moves along with the men trying to seduce their own girlfriends, and luckily ends happily with the couples reunited with their true loves.

Sep 18, 2017

Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It debuted in Prague in 1787. Its based on the legend of Don Juan, a Spanish lothario who was obsessed with the conquest of women. The opera tells the story of Don Giovanni, his man-servant Leporello, Donna Elvira his scorned lover, Donna Anna and Don Ottavio - a young engaged couple, and the Commendatore - Donna Anna's father who is slain by Don Giovanni. Mozart's incredible score paired with a lively libretto by Lorenzo di Ponte make Don Giovanni one of the most performed operas in the world.

Sep 17, 2017

The opera Eugene Onegin is based on a beloved Russian lyric novel of the same name by Pushkin. Pushkin presents a vast overview of old Russian society around 1820, which Tchaikovsky’s original score neatly divides into each of its three acts: from the timeless rituals of country life to the rural gentry with its troubles and pleasures and, finally, the glittering imperial aristocracy of St. Petersburg. The opera tells the story of Tatyana, her sister Olga, and their loves Onegin and Lenski. The famous "Letter Scene," gives us an insight into the character when the intelligent and socially awkward young Tatyana pours out her heart to the cold Onegin in a tale of unrequited love. A spectacular birthday ball, a duel follow with a glittering, if conflicted end at a society ball in St. Petersburg where Onegin and Tatyana are reunited.

Sep 4, 2017

Carmen is an opera in four acts by French composer Georges Bizet. It is set in Seville, southern Spain, and tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the wiles of the fiery gypsy Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties, yet loses Carmen's love to the glamorous torero Escamillo, after which José kills her in a jealous rage. The depictions of proletarian life, immorality, and lawlessness, and the tragic death of the main character on stage, broke new ground in French opera and were highly controversial. The libretto is based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. This show was recorded live in the KHOL Studio on September 3, 2017

Aug 15, 2017

Lohengrin is a Romantic opera in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner, first performed in 1850. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its sequel, Lohengrin, written by a different author, itself inspired by the epic of Garin le Loherain. It is part of the Knight of the Swan tradition. This show was recorded at the KHOL Studios in the Center for the Arts in Jackson Hole, WY and was originally broadcast on July 30, 2017.

Aug 15, 2017

Tannhauser, by Richard Wagner, debuted in 1845 in Dresden Germany, and was subsequently revised twice - debuting in Paris 1861 and again in Vienna in 1875. The opera is based on two German legends; Tannhäuser, the legendary medieval German Minnesänger and poet, and the tale of the Wartburg Song Contest. The story focuses on the struggle between sacred and profane love, and redemption through love, a theme running through much of Wagner's mature work. (Source: Wikipedia) This show was recorded live on July 23, 2017 in the KHOL Studios at the Center for the Arts in Jackson Hole, WY.