Mon, 29 June 2009
The English National Opera Ring

 I present highlights from the English National Opera Ring of the Nibelung under Reginald Goodall. The singing is superb, but I really cannot understand the English translation. Perhaps you are better than I at deciphering what they are saying, especially with the ladies' voices.
     The cast includes:

                Rita Hunter - Brunnhilde
                Norman Bailey -Wotan
                Margaret Curphey- Sieglinde
                Alberto Remedios - Siegfried
                Anne Collins - Erda
                Derek Hammond-Stroud -Alberich
                Aage Haugland - Hagen
                                  (75 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-29-09-07-20.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:40 AM
Comments[2]

Sun, 28 June 2009
Multi Lingual Lohengrin (Fixed)

This podcast features scenes from Wagner's "Lohengrin" in languages other than German. The selections are as follows:

Arias by Nelly Melba, Fernando de Lucia, Tancredi Pasero, Francisco Vinas (in photo.) (In Italian)
The Bridal Duet with Renata Tebaldi and Gino Penno (Italian)

  Emili Vendrell singing the farewell.  (Catalan).

  Marjorie Lawrence and Yvonne Brothier in act 2 scene (French)

   Scenes with Ivan Koslovsky, Elisaweta Schumskaya, and a great mezzo, Eugenia Smolenskaya.   (75  min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-28-16-05-16.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 4:34 PM
Comments[0]

Sun, 28 June 2009
German School of Singing

From volume 4 of the wonderful series, "The record of Singing," I present some marvelous singers from what is known as the "German School." They include:

Ludwig Weber, Gottlob Frick, Erich Kunz, Paul Schoeffler, Hans Hotter, Julius Patzak, Anton Dermota, Rudolf Schock,Irmgard Sefried,Elizabeth Schumann, Maria Stader, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Erika Koth, Elizabeth Grummer, Maria reinging (in photo), Inge Borgkh, Sena Jurinac, Gre Brouwenstijn, and Leonie Rysanek. (75 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-28-15-13-42.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:44 PM
Comments[0]

Fri, 26 June 2009
Jan Kiepura and Martha Eggerth

The legendary couple in material from film, live and commercial recordings.
  Kiepura sings arias from Boheme, Tosca, Martha, Pearl Fishers (unpub.), and a Di quella pira (TWICE!) from the film, "So Ends Our Night," with the CHORUS as the accompaniment.
   He also sings  "Ob Blond"(Stolz), "Prayer for Poland,"(an arrangement of a Chopin song), and "Processional"with Gladys Swarthout.

   Mme.Eggerth is heard in "Mi chiamano Mimi," songs from Lehar's "Zarewitsch," "Die ganze Welt" (Lehar), and from a 1992 Vienna concert in 1992, at age 80, "Das Lied ist aus."(Stolz.).
    She is then heard in a Merry Widow Medley and "Wien,Wien" from a 2002 gala.(Amazing!!!).
      The podcast concludes with Eggerth and Kiepura singing the "Neapolitan Duet" from Lehar's "Der Zarewitsch," ending on a fabulous  piano  high C by the great tenor.   (68 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-26-15-42-49.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 4:08 PM
Comments[1]

Wed, 24 June 2009
JUST RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAMMA MIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Virginia just told me this was released!!! I am so thrilled they added the great Zeani to their fabulous library of great artists. Go to Amazon.com..Only 14.99....TRUST ME!  You will love it!! Charlie

Category: general -- posted at: 11:27 PM
Comments[1]

Wed, 24 June 2009
L'Amore Dei Tre Re-1941

 Composer Italo Montemezzi himself conducts this brilliant performance of his rarely-heard "L'Amore dei Tre Re." The legendary Ezio Pinza sings Archibaldo, and we hear Grace Moore as Fiora, Richard Bonelli as Manfredo, and Charles Kullman as Avito.
   Why this opera is not performed more is sad, because it is so exciting and I think you will agree that it deserves more recognition.
                                                 (72 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-24-02-11-37.mp3
Category: general -- posted at: 2:38 AM
Comments[1]

Tue, 23 June 2009
Die Fliegende Hollander, Bayreuth 1959

    Highlights from a riveting performance of Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander" from a Bayreuth 1959 performance under Wolfgang Sawallisch.
     Featured is the amazing Leonie Rysanek as Senta, and the equally remarkable George London as the Dutchman. Also in the cast are Fritz Uhl as Erik and Josef Greindl as Daland.
                                  (52 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-23-18-17-12.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:40 PM
Comments[1]

Tue, 16 June 2009
Dominic Cossa, a superb baritone

The podcast features songs and arias as sung by Dominic Cossa, one of the finest baritones the opera world has known. His career spanned over 30 years and he appeared in many opera theatres, including the Met,San Francisco Opera, City Opera,etc. The selections are:

Bella siccome un angelo (Don Pasquale)
Cruda funesta smania and cabaletta  (Lucia)
Albert's aria from Werther
Avant de quitter  (Faust)
Scintille,diamant (Contes d'Hoffmann)
O Holy Night  (Adam)
Mamma, mamma  (Most Happy Fella)
Pierrot's Lied  (Tote Stadt)   
                         (36 min.)

 

Direct download: 2009-06-16-00-15-57.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:33 AM
Comments[2]

Mon, 15 June 2009
La Traviata Finale of Act Three

An exciting compilation of various interpretations of the finale of the Traviata Gambling Scene (Act 3 or Act 2 scene 2 in various productions.) The casts are as follows:

Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi,Mario Zanasi  (1970)
Renata Tebaldi, Giacinto Prandelli, Gino Orlandini  (1952)
Maria Callas, Alfredo Kraus, Mario Sereni  (1958)
Licia Albanese, Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren  (1954) 
Joan Sutherland, Giacomo Aragall, Sherill Milnes  (1970)
Diana Soviero, Carlo Bergonzi, Garbis Boyagian  (1983)
Virginia Zeani, Aldo Bottion, Franco Bordini  (1967)
                                    (75 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-15-17-17-16.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:49 PM
Comments[0]

Mon, 15 June 2009
Alexander Kipnis and Ezio Pinza in Boris Godunov

Two great Borises: Ezio Pinza (In Italian) (1939), and Alexander Kipnis (In Russian), (1943). The Pinza scenes also feature Alessio de Paolis,Kerstin Thorborg, and Leonard Warren.   (67 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-15-02-27-16.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:54 AM
Comments[0]

Sun, 14 June 2009
Lohengrin From Bayreuth 1954

   In keeping with my promise to select certain live opera performances and present highlights, I chose a marvelous Bayreuth 1954 Lohengrin. It is conducted by Eugen Jochum and features the following cast:

Lohengrin   Wolfgang Windgassen
Elsa            Birgit Nilsson (age 36)
Ortrud         Astrid Varnay
Telramund   Herman Uhde
King Henry   Theo Adam

               I trust you will enjoy this podcast, and I will always select certain works to highlight for you. (72 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-14-21-58-35.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:27 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 14 June 2009
Diana Soviero as Tosca

    Those of you who have tuned in to my podcasts already know what love and admiration I have for Diana Soviero, whom I consider one of the greatest exponents of the "Verismo" style of singing, a style that reminds us of the era of Claudia Muzio, Mafalda Favero, Virginia Zeani.
      I am presenting highlights from the very first Tosca of Mme.Soviero, Montreal 1991, featuring Tony De Paolo as Cavaradossi and Harry Dworchak as Scarpia, conducted by Joseph Rescigno.
       I  believe you will concur that Mme.Soviero has been one of our greatest artists, and presently is hailed as one of our finest teachers and coaches. I consider myself most fortunate to have followed Mme.Soviero's career for the past 30 years, and hope you enjoy this superb performance.  
( 70 min.)

 

Direct download: 2009-06-13-23-35-47.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:01 AM
Comments[2]

Sat, 13 June 2009
Bel Canto Supreme:Semiramide 1980

Highlights from an extraordinary performance of Rossini's "Semiramide." Featured are two of the greatest exponents of Bel Canto singing, Marilyn Horne and Montserrat Caballe. Featured also are Samuel Ramey and Francisco Araiza, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos (Aix-en-Provence, 1980)                                      (72 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-13-22-16-21.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:47 PM
Comments[0]

Sat, 13 June 2009
Happy 96th birthday to Rise Stevens, a great Octavian.

   The first real live opera star I met, at age 16, was dear Rise Stevens, who celebrated her 96th birthday on June 11. We had so many lovely afternoons at her home since we had a club for her, and she was always a dear gracious person. 
     One of her greatest roles was Octavian in Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier, and we present highlights from a superb 1949 performance that also features Erna Berger, Eleanor Steber, and Emmanuel List. I know this special tribute to this great artist will be appreciated by all.
                                              (70 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-13-00-38-29.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:07 AM
Comments[0]

Fri, 5 June 2009
Magda Olivero Sings at 99!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qQqsyPPRhM

Can you imagine that at 99 Magda Olivero can still sing??

 This is a brief scene from Francesca da Rimini.

    I am so touched.....  Cent'anni,Magda!!!!

Category: general -- posted at: 9:25 PM
Comments[1]

Fri, 5 June 2009
Golden Age Artists Sing Donizetti

  Here is a compilation of arias and duets from Donizetti operas as sung by many great artists of the early 20th century. The selections are:

 Maria di Rudenz:
             Mattia Battistini   "Ah! Non avea piu lagrime."

Linda di Chamounix:
              Rosina Storchio     "Oh luce di quest'anima"

Lucrezia Borgia:

               Carlo Albani       "Di pescatore ignobile"
Don Sebastiano:
                Alfred Piccaver    "Deserto in terra."

La Favorita:
                Aureliano Pertile  "Una vergine"
                 Giacomo Lauri-Volpi   "Spirto gentil"
                 Riccardo Stracciari   "Vien,Leonora"
                 Sigrid Onegin      "O mio Fernando"
                  Ezio Pinza         "Splendon piu bel in ciel."
                  Marcel Journet   " Balthazar Aria"(In French)
 L'Elisir d'amore:
                   Fernando de Lucia and Ernesto Badini  Duet,act one.
                    Tito Schipa "Una furtiva lagrima"
Don Pasquale:
                     Giuseppe Anselmi     "Sogno soave e casto"
                     Olympia Boronat      "So anch'io la virtu magica"
                      Lucrezia Bori and Giuseppe de Luca     Duet
Lucia di Lammermoor:
                      Luisa Tetrazzini   Act One arias
                                         (74 min.)

 

 

Direct download: 2009-06-05-19-10-01.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:43 PM
Comments[0]

Tue, 2 June 2009
The Art (??) of mezzo Sylvia Sawyer

   One of the most hilarious singers ever to record (some nerve!!). Sylvia Sawyer recorded mezzo roles in Ballo, Aida, and Trovatore on Capitol records in the 1950's. The rest of the cast of the Aida and Trovatore was respectable, and included Stella Roman, Gino Sarri, and Antonio Mancaserra.
   However, Mme.Sawyer sounds like a little kid (even with chest tones), and her Italian diction has caused many opera lovers to become hysterical over the years. I hope you will not mind a little more levity in this sea of great music.             (71 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-02-14-13-56.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:44 PM
Comments[2]

Tue, 2 June 2009
The Legendary Callas Covent Garden Norma debut

Highlights from one of the greatest performances of opera. This is the Maria Callas debut at Covent Garden as Norma in 1952. The great Ebe Stignani is the Adalgisa, Mirto Picchi is Pollione, Giacomo Vaghi is Oroveso, and a newcomer by the name of Joan Sutherland is the Clotilde.   Vittorio Gui is the conductor.  
(70 min.)             

Direct download: 2009-06-01-23-31-49.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:03 AM
Comments[1]

Mon, 1 June 2009
Tristan und Isolde,1957

Highlights from a magnificent performance of Tristan und Isolde from Florence, May 21,1957.It is conducted by the very famous Arthur Rodzinski and features:

Birgit Nilsson        Isolde
Wolfgang Windgassen   Tristan
Grace Hoffman      Brangaene
Gustav Neidlinger   Kurvenal
Otto von Rohr        King Marke
                                                 (71 min.)

Direct download: 2009-06-01-18-44-56.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:17 PM
Comments[0]

Sun, 31 May 2009
How can I ever thank you enough????

Hi all,

             From time to time, I glance at the stats and just feel so rewarded at your responses and interest in these podcasts. I guess it is the "teacher in me" that makes me feel  so glad that I am spreading the word as to what is out there..the great artists of past and present who make our lives so treasurable by virtue of their remarkable talent.
             Again, I wish to express my thanks to you, and will continue to honor your requests, while adding some of my ideas.

                                                 Love     Charlie

Category: general -- posted at: 12:10 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 31 May 2009
The remarkable Leonie Rysanek sings Strauss

One can hardly find adequate words to describe the intensity and the committment that the great Leonie Rysanek offered to her audiences. Here are some scenes from  Richard Strauss operas that show her to her very best:

Salome, Ariadne, Elektra, Aegyptische Helena, Die Frau Ohne Schatten

   I know these excerpts will thrill you as much as they thrilled countless audiences for so many years.

                    (71 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-31-00-24-24.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:53 AM
Comments[2]

Sat, 30 May 2009
Exciting baritone high notes!

A most exciting compilation that features some thrilling baritone top notes. Included are:

Piero Cappuccilli,Gino Bechi, Giangiacomo Guelfi, Cornell MacNeil (in photo), Sherrill Milnes, and Leonard Warren.

                                                      (75 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-30-01-38-15.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:10 AM
Comments[1]

Wed, 27 May 2009
The 1959 Return of Jussi Bjoerling in Cavalleria Rusticana

   On November 16, 1959, the legendary Jussi Bjoerling made his return to the Met after a few years absence. The opera was Cavalleria Rusticana, and it starred Giulietta Simionato as a great Santuzza.
    Walter Cassell was Alfio, Thelma Votipka was Mamma Lucia, and Rosalind Elias was Lola. It was conducted by Nino Verchi.

                                            (50 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-27-16-41-52.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:02 PM
Comments[2]

Wed, 27 May 2009
Vassilka Petrova Sings (???) Tosca

To quote Dante (with one alteration):

    "Lasciate ogni speranza voi che ascoltate!"

       This is the party recording of all time, the second and third acts of Tosca, as recorded on Remington records in 1950. It was the dawn of the LP era, although this recording made things sem more like "Gotterdamerung."
          The Tosca is Vassilka Petrova, who paid for this recording, and the unsuspecting Eddy Ruhl and Piero Campolonghi complete the cast.
           If you are a purist and/or have any sensitive little animals in the room, I advise you not to listen;otherwise, please "enjoy" the great Petrova, whose high C's are almost as good as mine were.
                                   (69 stunning mintues)

 

      

Direct download: 2009-05-27-11-54-12.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:18 PM
Comments[2]

Mon, 25 May 2009
The 1960 Salzburg Don Carlo

Highlights from a glorious performance of Verdi's "Don Carlo" from Salzburg, 1960. The excellent cast features:

  Sena Jurinac, Regina Resnik, Eugenio Fernandi, Ettore Bastianini, and Boris Christoff, and is conducted by Nello Santi.

                                      (72 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-25-11-42-07.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:10 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 24 May 2009
Siegfried Finale Vol.2

Volume Two of the Siegfried Finale Compilation.Included are:

   Gwyneth Jones and Manfred Jung  (Boulez)
   Florence Easton and Lauritz Melchior (Various)
   Astrid Varnay and Wolfgang Windgassen   (Keilberth)
   Rita Hunter and Alberto Remedios  (Goodall)
   Gertrude Grob-Prandl and Gunther Treptow  (Moralt) 
   Kirsten Flagstad and Set Svanholm  (Furtwangler)
                                 (74 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-24-22-31-16.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 11:01 PM
Comments[0]

Sun, 24 May 2009
Siegfried Finale Vol.1

Part One of two podcasts devoted to the great finale of Wagner's "Siegfried." Featured here are:

Anne Evans and Siegfried Jerusalem (in photo)  (Barenboim)
Hildegard Behrens and Reiner Goldberg   (Levine)
Martha Moedl and Ludwig Suthaus    (Furtwaengler)
Nadezda Kniplova and Gerald McKee   (Swarowsky)
Helen Traubel and Set Svanholm       (Stiedry)
Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hopf  (Kempe)
                                  (73 min.)

 

Direct download: 2009-05-24-18-50-23.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:23 PM
Comments[1]

Sat, 23 May 2009
Marisa Galvany, volume 3.

The third volume of selections as sung by the wonderful Marisa Galvany. I sincerely hope you will enjoy them as much as you have on previous podcasts. The selections are from:

Turandot, Medea in Corinto (photo with Charlie), Cavalleria Rusticana, Marin Faliero, Il Trovatore.
   The tenors are:   Harry Theyard (Turandot)
                            Jerry Lo Monaco (Trovatore)
                            Placido Domingo (Cavalleria)

                                      (70 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-23-14-41-43.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:10 PM
Comments[1]

Sat, 23 May 2009
The Wonderful Marisa Galvany, Volume 2

By extremely popular request:
        More highlights from the career of dear Marisa Galvany, one of the most exciting and versatile sopranos. I hope you enjoy this podcast, and more to come soon. On this podcast we have scenes from:

           Nabucco, Salome, Ballo in Maschera, Medea

                                          (72 min.)

    Reminder: Volume One is in the archives on 12/28/07

Direct download: 2009-05-23-13-20-18.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:50 PM
Comments[1]

Fri, 22 May 2009
Aureliano Pertile and Irene Minghini-Cattaneo

A tribute podcast to the very first singers I heard in my youth. The great tenor,Aureliano Pertile, was featured on the 1929-1930 Aida and Trovatore sets (on 78 r.p.m. discs).
   In addition, one of the most exciting mezzos, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, sang the Amneris and the Azucena. Sadly she died in a bombing of her villa in 1942.
    These recordings have special meaning to me, since they were the very first recordings of opera that I ever heard.

                                    ( 67 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-22-10-19-45.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:47 AM
Comments[1]

Thu, 21 May 2009
The Carmen Final Duet

An exciting comparison of versions of the last scene of Bizet's "Carmen."
Included are the following artists:

Grace Bumbry/Jon Vickers
Regina Resnik/Placido Domingo
Rise Stevens/Mario DelMonaco
Rise Stevens/Giuseppe DiStefano
Giulietta Simionato/Franco Corelli (In Italian)
Ebe Stignani/Beniamino Gigli  (In Italian)
Irina Arkhipova/Mario DelMonaco (In Italian and Russian)
                              (70 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-21-08-33-08.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:03 AM
Comments[0]

Thu, 21 May 2009
A Tribute to the Wonderful Lucine Amara

  Live selections from the amazing career of Lucine Amara, whose voice to this day, remains as youthful and bright as when her professional career began, over 60 years ago. Selections are from:

Tosca,Tote Stadt, Oberon, Suor Angelica, Tales of Hoffman, Eugene Onegin, Aida,Turandot, Pagliacci, and Cavalleria Rusticana.

                                         (71 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-21-01-14-54.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:44 AM
Comments[1]

Wed, 20 May 2009
Marilyn Horne-FIXED!!!

A tribute to Marilyn Horne, one of the greatest artists of our time (and any time!). The selections are from:

Pagliacci,Wozzeck, The Damnation of Faust, Die Walkure, Semiramide, Capuletti ed I Montecchi, Rinaldo, Partenope, Semele, Rosenkavalier, and other selections.

                                        (72 min.) 


I HAD TO UPGRADE!!!!! Your responses have been so tremendous, I needed more space, so I will send you a bill in the morning!!!!!
   It is my great pleasure to serve you...Love   Charlie (poorer)
Direct download: 2009-05-20-11-33-24.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:04 PM
Comments[1]

Tue, 12 May 2009
Aida, January 24, 1953

  I cannot apologize for feeling extremely "jaded" when I listen to this remarkable performance of my favorite opera. I saw this cast and the memories are still vivid. The cast includes:

Zinka Milanov
Mario del Monaco
George London
Blanche Thebom
Jerome Hines

     Conducted by Fausto Cleva              (68 min.)

 

Direct download: 2009-05-12-18-52-50.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:19 PM
Comments[2]

Tue, 12 May 2009
Tristan und Isolde, Bayreuth 1952

Highlights from a truly magnificent performance of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" from a 1952 Bayreuth performance under Herbert Von Karajan.

Martha Moedl- Isolde
Ramon Vinay-Tristan
Ira Milaniuk-Brangaene
Hans Hotter-Kurvenal
Ludwig Weber- King Marke
Herman Uhde- Melot

                                                (72 minutes)

 

Direct download: 2009-05-12-00-45-25.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:17 AM
Comments[0]

Mon, 11 May 2009
Four Famous Operetta Tenors

A tribute to four German tenors, famous for their work in operetta. Sadly, three of them met an early tragic death. They are:

Peter Anders  (1908-1954)
Josef Schmidt (1904-1942) (In photo)
Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966)

Also, the great Richard Tauber (1891-1948)

                                   (68 minutes)

Direct download: 2009-05-11-22-46-59.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 11:17 PM
Comments[2]

Thu, 7 May 2009
The two Mezzos named Elena!

Two wonderful mezzos with names that often get confused:

Elena Nicolai (Bulgarian mezzo with a HUGE voice!)

Elena Nikolaidi (Greek mezzo with a luscious voice.)

       I hope you enjoy this podcast, especially if you are as big a mezzo fan as am I.                         (71 min.)

                                                        My best  Charlie

(Note:In my narration, the Macbeth aria comes AFTER the Don Fatale.)

Direct download: 2009-05-07-18-00-21.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:29 PM
Comments[0]

Thu, 7 May 2009
Simon Boccanegra, Jan.21, 1939

Highlights from one of the greatest (in my humble opinion) Met broadcasts. This Simon Boccanegra features a stellar cast of:

Lawrence Tibbett,Elizabeth Rethberg, Giovanni Martinelli, Ezio Pinza, and, in his debut season, Leonard Warren, conducted by Ettore Panizza.
                                           (70 min.)

As I indicated, please feel free to request any specific performances and I will surely comply with your wishes.
                                                  My best always,
                                                          Charlie
    

       

 

Direct download: 2009-05-07-16-10-03.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 4:38 PM
Comments[7]

Sun, 3 May 2009
Rosa Ponselle as Carmen

Highlights from a Met Carmen of March 28,1936 featuring Rosa Ponselle, Rene Maison, Ezio Pinza and Hilda Burke
                  (The conductor is Louis Hasselmans)
                                      (70 min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-03-15-47-54.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 4:16 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 3 May 2009
In memory of divas who left us too early

In loving memory of divas who passed away too early. They are as follows:

Meta Seinemeyer (1895-1929)
Conchita Supervia (1895-1936)
Claudia Muzio (1889-1936)
Maria Cebotari  (1910-1949)
Kathleen Ferrier  (1912-1953)
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (1954-1996)
Mado Robin  (1918-1960)
Arlene Auger  (1940-1993)
Lucia Popp  (1939-1993)
Tatiana Troyanos (In photo) (1938-1993)
Maria Callas  (1924-1977)
                                           ( 71min.)

Direct download: 2009-05-03-11-49-10.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:21 PM
Comments[3]

Fri, 24 April 2009
Zinka Milanov as Santuzza

Zinka Milanov as Santuzza:

  Cavalleria exc. 1957 w.Tucker,Valentino,Elias,Votipka (Cleva)

   Voi lo sapete from 1951
   
    Voi lo sapete, duets w.Giuseppe Gismondo and Benjamin Rayson from 1963 (Her last Santuzza)                   (71 min.)

 

Direct download: 2009-04-24-20-11-15.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:44 PM
Comments[1]

Fri, 24 April 2009
Tribute to Dear Sam Ramey

Cari amici,

About 40 long years ago, I attended the first rehearsal of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena," at the home of our illustrious maestro and one of my mentors in life, Armen Boyajian. Marisa Galvany (one of her many phony names) was the Bolena (and I loved looking down her throat to see where those phenomenal E flats came from). Then there was this young dude named Sam Ramey, who opened his mouth and out came some of the greatest sounds we ever heard.

Gee... maybe he will make it some day, we all exclaimed! Now, as we celebrate Sam's 25th anniversary at the Met, and a 40 year professional career, singing an incredible range of roles and becoming one of the opera icons of our time, we feel so fortunate that he left Kansas to find an "Oz" of magic all over the opera world.

I therefore wish to celebrate with you Sam's Met anniversary, and a fabulous career. I still relish those old tapes of our Bartolo/Basilio and am so fortunate I was able to be in on a tiny part of an illustrious career.

I recall Sam once telling us about that skinny chain-smoking guy with the enormous voice by the name of Norman Treigle, and how he admired him. Well, they did so many of the same roles (Mefistofele, Boris,Blitch,Escamillo,

The Hoffmann villains,Don Giovanni, Figaro,etc.). Happily, Sam Ramey has been able to follow along in this tradition, with so many great performances of a huge number of roles,a remarkable number of recordings, and engagements in every important opera theatre in the opera world.

So..a happy 25th Met anniversary to a dear sweet and brilliantly talented guy and all my best to him and to his lovely wife and son (who also has a high F#...and more!)

With my sincerest best wishes       Charlie

 

Excerpts are from  Italiana,Lombardi,Rinaldo,Attila, Mefistofele, Comte D'Ory, Semiramide,Susannah, South Pacific.

                             (65 min.)

Direct download: 2009-04-24-18-37-17.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:07 PM
Comments[0]

Thu, 23 April 2009
Casta Diva (repeated in error)

Norma  Podcast   Repeated in error(Who know why??)   

Direct download: 2009-03-09-21-28-38.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:22 PM
Comments[3]

Thu, 23 April 2009
Una Furtiva Lagrima

16 tenors sing the great "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'Elisir D'Amore."  They are as follows (in exact order on podcast)

Giuseppe Anselmi, Enrico Caruso, John McCormack, Hipolito Lazaro,
Alessandro Bonci, Beniamino Gigli, Tito Schipa, Aureliano Pertile,
Andre D'Arkor, Dino Borgioli, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Josef Schmidt,
Giuseppe Di Stefano, Jussi Bjoerling, Carlo Bergonzi, Piotr Beczala.
                                        (71 min.)

Direct download: 2009-04-23-15-05-06.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:37 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 19 April 2009
The Great Caruso, Part Three.

The third podcast dedicated to the great Enrico Caruso, a true vocal "God." No words are ever adequate to describe the emotional charge yours truly derives from this man and what he has meant to the world of opera. I hope you enjoy the podcast.

Featured are songs, and arias from Otello,Germania,Samson et Delilah, Mme.Butterfly, Andrea Chenier, Pagliacci, and Martha.
                                         (73 min.)

Direct download: 2009-04-19-00-12-41.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 12:40 AM
Comments[0]

Sat, 18 April 2009
"Pourquoi me reveiller?" (21 tenors)

A comparison of 21 tenors singing the great Werther aria. The order is as follows:
Emile Marcellin, Giuseppe Lugo, Andre D'Arkor, Gaston Micheletti, Jose Luccioni, Fernand Ansseau, Alfred Piccaver, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Carlo Bergonzi, Alain Vanzo, Fernando de la Mora, Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Tito Schipa, Franco Corelli, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Joseph Calleja, Ramon Vargas, Roberto Alagna, Rolando Villazon, Piotr Beczala.                     (57 min.)

Direct download: 2009-04-18-10-56-42.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 11:26 AM
Comments[1]

Sun, 5 April 2009
The Arabella Duets

The two beautiful duets from Richard Strauss' "Arabella." In most cases I have included both act one and act two duets;in a few cases, I have only the act one duet. These are the artists, in order of appearance:

Viorica Ursuleac/Margarit Bokor/ Alfred Jerger  (the 1933 creators of their roles.)
Lotte Lehmann Kate Heidersbach (Act One duet only.)
Karita Mattila/Barbara Bonney ( Act One duet only.)
Kiri Te Kanawa/Gabrielle Fontana/Franz Grundheber
Lisa Della Casa/Elfride Trotschel/Herman Uhde
Lisa della Casa/ Hilde Gueden/George London
Montserrat Caballe/Oliviera Miljakovic/Siegmund Nimsgern
Eleanor Steber/Hilde Gueden/George London In English)
                            (63 min.)

Direct download: 2009-04-05-18-46-42.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:12 PM
Comments[1]

Sat, 28 March 2009
NEMICO DELLA PATRIA

  The great aria from Giordano's "Andrea Chenier."

Riccardo Stracciari, Giuseppe Danise, Paolo Silveri, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Mario Sereni, Aldo Protti, Richard Paul Fink, Renato Bruson,
Giuseppe Taddei, Cornell MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli,
Ettore Bastianini, and Leonard Warren In photo).
                                        (70 min.)

Direct download: 2009-03-28-01-03-33.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:35 AM
Comments[2]

Wed, 25 March 2009
Clara Butt, a great contralto.

Many selections sung by Clara Butt, a very great artist:

1.Softly and gently  (Elgar:The Dream of Gerontius)
2. Where corals lie   (Elgar:Sea Pictures)
3.The Enchantress (Hatton)
4.The Leaves and the Wind (Cooper)
5.The Sweetest flower that blows (Hawley)
6. Barbara Allen (Traditional)
7. Kathleen Mavourneen (Crouch)
8. Ye Banks and braes (Scottish air)
9.The Promise of life (Cowen)
10.En priere (Faure)
11.The Birth of the flowers(Lehmann)
12. Lusinghe piu care (Handel:Alessandro)
13. Rend'il sereno (Handel:Sosarme)
14. Ombra mai fu (Handel:Serse)
15, In questa tomba oscura (Bethoven)
16.Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix (Samson et Delilah)
17. Che faro senza Euridice (Orfeo)
18.  Brindisi from Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti)
                       ( 66 min.)

 

Clara Butt was born in Southwick, Sussex. Her father was Henry Albert Butt who was a sea captain and who was born in 1848 in Saint Martin, Jersey, Channel Islands. He married Clara Hook in 1869, who was born in Shoreham, the daughter of Joseph Hook, mariner (1861 and 1871 census, in 1881 in New Shoreham workhouse). In 1880 the family moved to Bristol and Clara was educated at South Bristol High School, where her singing talent was recognised and encouraged. At the request of her headmistress, she was trained by the bass Daniel Rootham and joined the Bristol Festival Chorus, of which he was musical director. In January 1890 she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. In her fourth year she spent three months studying in Paris at the expense of Queen Victoria. She also studied in Berlin and Italy.

She made her professional début at the Royal Albert Hall in London in Sir Arthur Sullivan’s The Golden Legend on 7 December 1892. Three days later she appeared as Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at the Lyceum Theatre. Bernard Shaw wrote in The World that she ‘far surpassed the utmost expectations that could reasonably be entertained’ (14 December 1892).

She returned to Paris and made further studies with Jacques Bouhy (the teacher of Louise Homer and Louise Kirkby Lunn) and later with the soprano Etelka Gerster in Berlin.

Camille Saint-Saëns wanted her to study Dalila, but due to laws then extant forbidding the representation of biblical subjects on the British stage, nothing came of it.

Soon she had acquired an excellent reputation, aided by her physical presence - she was 6 feet 2 inches tall. She made many gramophone recordings, often accompanied by the (uncredited) pianist Miss Lillian Bryant. She was primarily a concert singer and only ever appeared in two opera productions, both of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, in 1892 and 1920.

Edward Elgar composed his Sea Pictures for contralto and orchestra with Clara Butt in mind as the soloist, and she sang at the first performance at the Norwich Festival on 5 October 1899, with the composer conducting.

In 1900 she married the baritone Kennerly Rumford, and thenceforth often appeared with him in concerts. The couple eventually had three children two sons and a daughter. Besides singing in many important festivals and concerts, she was honoured with royal commands from Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and King George V. She made tours to Australia, Japan, Canada, the United States and to many European cities.

During the First World War she organised and sang in many concerts for service charities, and for this she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours. That year she sang four performances of Gluck's Orphee at Covent Garden under the baton of Sir Thomas Beecham. According to The Times she 'played fast and loose with the time and spoilt the phrasing' and it appears not to have been a success.

Butt's three sisters were also singers. One of them, Ethel Hook, became a famous artist in her own right and made some superb solo recordings.

In later life Clara Butt was dogged by tragedies. Her elder son died of meningitis while still at school, and the younger committed suicide. During the 1920s she became seriously ill of cancer of the spine, but her faith gave her the strength to continue working. She made many of her later records seated in a wheelchair. She died in 1936 at the age of 63 at her home in North Stoke, Oxfordshire, as a result of an accident she suffered in 1931.

Sir Thomas Beecham once said, jokingly, that "on a clear day, you could have heard her across the English Channel".

Not all serious musicians admired her booming contralto, which can be mistaken for a man's voice on some recordings, or her rather 'populist' approach to her art.

 

Direct download: 2009-03-25-20-19-53.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:48 PM
Comments[2]

Sun, 22 March 2009
Tosca Act Two Scene, Volume Three

The third volume of great artists in the act two scene from Puccini's Tosca. The artists are:

Zinka Milanov(in photo),Giangiacomo Guelfi,Franco Corelli
Renata Tebaldi, Tito Gobbi, Ferruccio Tagliavini
Renata Tebaldi, Ettore Bastianini, Giuseppe Di Stefano
Renata Tebaldi, Leonard Warren, Richard Tucker
Diana Soviero, Tony De Paolo, Harry Dworchak
Olive Middleton, Ed Watts, Chi Sa??

                        (73 minutes)

 

Direct download: 2009-03-22-20-17-54.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:49 PM
Comments[3]

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