A magnificent Tosca from 1957 Covent Garden with Zinka Milanov,Franco Corelli, and Giangiacomo Guelfi conducted by Alexander Gibson.   You will love this one!!!    (55 min.)

 Dutch soprano Cristina Deutekom in a superb performance of Norma from San Francisco, 1975, conducted by Carlo Felice Cillario.

   Tatiana Troyanos    Adalgisa
   Robleto Merolla       Pollione
   Clifford Grant          Oroveso

                                  (69 min.)

   Maria Callas in the years 1958-1959. First we present a Los Angeles recital under Nicola Rescigno, with arias from La Vestale, La Boheme, Macbeth, Hamlet, Barbiere, and Mefistofele.
    This is followed by some 1958-1959 material, with arias from La Boheme, Tosca, Ernani, Norma, and Mme.Butterfly.

     Have any of you die-hard opera lovers ever experienced the vicarious thrill of being able to identify with someone who at an early age, much like yourselves, loves music so much? Recently, a young boy of 13, Olivier Bergeron, who resides in Montreal, has been reminding me (poor parents) of myself at that tender age. He is a Callas authority, and so I specifically dedicate this podcast to him.
      Let us hope that his life will be as treasurable as ours, loving opera as we do. My problem with him is that his voice has not yet changed, and he must remember he ain't no Manrico (YET!).        (73 min.)

An array of divas who sang the music of Richard Strauss in Vienna. Except for the Rosenkavalier Presentation scene, the selections are from live performances.

The operas are:  Die Frau Ohne Schatten, Capriccio, Daphne, Arabella, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Der Rosenkavalier.

The artists are:

           Sena Jurinac, Irmgard Seefried, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Lisa della Casa, Anneliese Rothenberger, Christel Goltz, Gundula Janowitz, Elizabeth Schumann, Maria Olszewska, and Leonie Rysanek.                  (72 min.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNniGHmTrNo&feature=rec-fav-watch-cur_emp-farside_rn

Darling Magda, a miracle, turns 100 on March 25. Recently a friend of mine spent a few hours with her in Milano..She said, "If you can breathe, you can sing!!" She sure BREATHED!!!!!

                                    With love   Charlie

Highlights from Mascagni's much-neglected "L'Amico Fritz" featuring:

Beniamino Gigli, Gianni Raimondi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Cesare Valletti, Roberto Alagna, Carlo Tagliabue, Rosanna Carteri, Mafalda Favero, Angela Gheorghiu, Rina Gigli, and Mirella Freni   (72 min.)

What more can one say about the legendary soprano Kirsten Flagstad, possessor of one of the greatest natural voices in opera history?
    This podcast features songs and arias from her career, from the early days to her farewell, plus some commercial recordings made later on. I know you will enjoy this marvelous soprano.

    Featured are scenes from Tannhauser, Gotterdamerung, Walkure,
    Parsifal, the World Premiere of the Strauss' Four Last Songs in 1950,  and some miscellaneous material as narrated.   (74 min.)

A selection of great artists in Verdi material.In order, they include:

Alessandro Bonzi, Aureliano Pertile, Jussi Bjoerling, Giovanni Zenatello,
Tito Schipa, Enrico Caruso, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, Ebe Stignani,
Elizabeth Retherbeg, Hina Spani, Esther, Mazzoleni, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Ezio Pinza, Nazareno De Angelis, Tancredi Pasero,
Alexander Kipnis, Ricardo Stracciari, Beniamino Gigli (w.Pinza and Rethberg.)                   (72 min.)

A new release on the BonGiovanni label of a live performance of Manon Lescaut, from Piacenza, 1974.( highlights ). The sound is pretty good, with some flaws, but I think you will enjoy the wonderful Virginia Zeani and Flaviano Labo in the leading roles. Alberto Rinaldi is the Lescaut and Leonida Bergamonti sings Geronte, conducted by Umberto Cattini.(66 min.)

Rosanna Carteri, one of the most emotional divas in my experience, is heard in material from Adriana, Lodoletta,Turandot, Mme.Butterfly (w.Carlo Bergonzi), Suor Angelica, La Traviata, La Boheme (w.Giuseppe Taddei). Bio to follow   (69 min.)

Rosanna Carteri (born December 14, 1930) was an Italian soprano primarily active in the 1950s through the mid-1960s.

Rosanna Carteri was born in Verona and studied with Cusinati and started singing in concert at the age of twelve. She won a RAI singing contest in 1948 which led to her operatic debut at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome as Elsa in Lohengrin in 1949, aged only 19. She made her La Scala debut in 1951. Other debuts were at the Salzburg Festival as Desdemona in Otello in 1952 under the direction of Wilhelm Furtwängler, San Francisco as Mimi in La Bohème in 1954, the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Marguerite in Faust in 1955, the Arena di Verona as Mimi in 1958, Covent Garden as Tosca in 1960, Opéra de Paris in 1961 as Violetta in La Traviata.

Carteri made a few recordings for Cetra early in her career, such as Matilde in Guglielmo Tell, opposite Giuseppe Taddei, La Bohème with Ferruccio Tagliavini and Suor Angelica. She also recorded La Traviata for RCA Victor with Cesare Valletti and Leonard Warren under the direction of Pierre Monteux. She participated in several television productions for RAI such as Le nozze di Figaro, La Traviata, Otello and Falstaff.

Carteri also participated in the creation of some contemporary works such as Ifegenia by Ildebrando Pizzetti in 1950, Proserpine e le straniero by Juan Jose Castro in 1952, Calzare d'argento again by Pizzetti in 1961 and Il mercante di Venizia by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco also in 1961.

Rosanna Carteri decided to retire from singing in the mid-1960s while still only in her thirties to devote herself to her family.

   I have selected commercial recordings of Verdi material as sung by my all-time favorite diva, Zinka Milanov. Since Nimbus has just put out two Milanov albums (one pictured), I thought I would celebrate the recordings made on RCA by Mme.Milanov. Featured are highlights from Aida, Trovatore, Forza, Ballo, and Otello. I have chosen scenes from the Nimbus album and from other commercial recordings...but again I tell you, you HAD TO BE THERE!               (69 min.)

You will LOVE this one!   Sixteen divas singing cabalettas..Lots of trills,thrills, high notes,etc...Have fun!!!!!!

Lili Pons, Mado Robin, Beverly Sills, Katya Ricciarelli, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Federica von Stade, Shirley Verrett, Antonietta Stella, Maria Chiara, Magda Olivero, Zinka Milanov, Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland, Monserrat Caballe, Christina Deutekom, and Virginia Zeani.

                  ( 68 min.of carrying-on)

Volume 2 of exciting divas, including:

Maria Spacagna, Maria Dragoni, Linda Vajna, Anna de Cavalieri, Margherita Roberti, Maria Chiara, Emma Renzi, Gigliola Frazzoni,Nora de Rosa, Tiziana Fabbricini, Elena Suliotis (in photo), Clara Petrella,
Anita Cerquetti, Rosanna Carteri, and Caterina Mancini.  (68 min.)

The first of two podcasts that celebrate the careers of some of the divas who perhaps did not receive as much recognition as I believe they deserved. Remember, if you are not an avid collector, you do not necessarily have access to the (mostly live) performances they gave.
Therefore, enjoy listening to them:

Angeles Gulin, Lucia Aliberti, Luisa Maragliano, Josella Ligi, Mariana Niculescu, Rita Orlandi, Cesy Broggini, Ilva Ligabue, Gina Cigna (in photo), Maria Vitale, Margherita Grandi, Virginia Gordoni, Milena Dal Piva, and Maddalena Bonifaccio. (71 min.)

Vol.2 of the "Pace,pace" sopranos. Here we listen to the voices of:

Maria Caniglia, Maria Nistor Slatinaru, Carla Martinis, Aprile Millo, Antonietta Stella, Leyla Gencer, AND two of the greatest "party tape divas" (Proceed at your own risk), Olive Middleton and Vassilka Petrova.

   The podcast concludes with three versions a sung by my all-time favorite singer, Zinka Milanov (1952, 1953, 1956).  (70 min.)

NO PEEKING!!!!!    (If you wish to use this podcast as a quiz for yourself and/or others. This is volume one of the "Pace,pace" podcast with 11 sopranos and I hope you enjoy it.Here they are:

Eileen Farrell, Elizabeth Barbato, Stella Roman, Raina Kabaiwanska, Gre Browenstijn, Monserrat Caballe, Elinor Ross, Maria Callas, Leontyne Price, Adriana Guerrini, and Renata Tebaldi.   (71 min.)

                   More to come!!!!!!!!!!!

A thrilling compilation of tenors who had the reputation of being able to knock  your socks off with brilliant top notes. I know you will enjoy them, as long as you do not expect The Dichterliebe.

Mario Gilion, Eduardo Garbin, Antonio Paoli, Giovanni Zenatello, John O'Sullivan (pictured), Leon Escalais, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Bernardo De Muro, Galliano Masini, Mario Filippeschi, Gino Penno, Mario del Monaco, and Franco Corelli     (73 min.)

You will be thrilled by this superb HOTTT Mexico City 1952 Rigoletto under Umberto Mugnai, and featuring Maria Callas in one of her rare appearances as Gilda. Also starring are Giuseppe Di Stefano and Piero Campolonghi.   (70 min.)

By popular request (ME), here are some more wonderful excerpts featuring the beloved Virginia Zeani.I hope you enjoy the scenes from:

Piccolo Marat (w.Giuseppe Gismondo), Elisir d'amore (with Nicola Rossi-Lemeni),Mefistofele, La Boheme, La Rondine, Forza del Destino, Il Console, Tosca, and La Sonnambula, plus a brief interview.  (72 min.)

Highlights from Charpentier's "Louise." Featured are the following artists:

Georges Thill and Ninon Vallin (commercial recording) of act one opening.

Grace Moore and Raoul Jobin and Beverly Sills and John Alexander in act three scenes.

Grace Moore, Ezio Pinza, and Doris Doe In act four material.
Renee Fleming and Sam Ramey in the final scene.   (69 min.)

OH!!! Did you think I meant Beverly SILLS????  Although the great Beverly Sills is represented on this podcast, I did this one for a fine young lyric soprano by the name of Beverly Thompson, one of the talented Dolora Zajick students.
   This is the third podcast for one of these young artists, where I ask them about their repertory and their favorite artists and, adding some of my choices, I offer them an opportunity to sample some of the beautiful performances that are out there.

   Included here are selections  by:
 

      Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price, Renata Scotto,Kiri Te Kanawa, Elizabeth Grummer, Irmgard Seefried, Virginia Zeani, Diana Soviero, Renee Fleming, Renata Tebaldi, Mirella Freni, Eleanor Steber, and Bidu Sayao.
       I sincerely hope Beverly and all of you enjoy them.(65 min.)

A compilation of mostly Russian bassos (or bassos who sing in the Russian mode):

Maxim Mikhailov  (Sadko)
Len Sibirjakov      (Prince Igor)
Fyodor Chaliapin   (Don Quixote)
Yvgenyi Nesterenko  (Life for the Czar)
Nicolai Ghiaurov (None but the lonely heart)
Paul Plishka   (Eugene Onegin)
Boris Gmyria   (Yolantha)
Mark Reizen (in photo)  Walkure
Alexander Kipnis (Tannhauser)
Alexander Pirogov (Tsar's Bride)
Sergei Aleksashkin  (Mazeppa)
                       (74 min.)

Opera scenes featuring the exciting Italian soprano, Adriana Guerrini (1907-1970). Mme.Guerrini. Featured are arias and scenes from:

Il Trovatore, Mme.Butterfly, Manon Lescaut (with Beniamino Gigli at 60), La Forza del Destino, and many scenes from her recording of La Traviata with Paolo Silveri and Luigi Infantino.   (72 min.)

    Each August 30th, I present my special tribute to Regina Resnik, one of the greatest artists in the world of music. As I have previously stated, not only had Mme.Resnik sung as both soprano and mezzo with remarkable success.(This year is the 65th anniversary of her Met debut), but as teacher,coach,filmmaker,producer, director, she has distinguished herself in the opera world in a totally unique way.
     In this podcast I present to you some extended scenes from some of her greatest roles:

Klytaemnestra in Elektra with Inge Borgkh
Sieglinde in Walkure with Ramon Vinay and Astrid Varnay
Fricka in Die Walkure with Jerome Hines
Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera
     
        I am happy to present this podcast in honor of dear Regina Resnik"s birthday, and I know you will enjoy it as you have enjoyed my previous celebrations of her art.   (70 min.)

http://handelmania.libsyn.com

   Some opera lovers feel that just because you know artists personally, they can do no wrong;this is totally untrue,especially since one tends to be MORE critical of artists one knows for fear that you will be accused of "personal prejudice.". Also, you "discovered" them on stage or on records and the personal relationship followed as a result of your enjoyment of their art, and their honest appreciation of your feelings.
      Virginia Zeani sang 648 Violettas, but the unusual element in this 1960 Covent Garden performance is that she substituted for Joan Sutherland with less than a day's notice, flew to London, met her tenor on stage for the first time, and what emerges is in my view one of the greatest performances of the role of Violetta (and I have heard great ones).
       Her tenor is William McAlpine and the Germont is Jess Walters, conducted by Nello Santi (who almost kills her in the "Sempre Libera," but she does beautifully, not to the mention the high E flat.)
       I sincerely hope you will enjoy the performance.    (66 min.)
   

A podcast dedicated to the beloved Bidu Sayao:

 I failed to identify the first selections which are:

 "Batti,batti' from Don Giovanni, "Deh vieni,non tardar" from Le Nozze di Figaro, and an aria from Gomes' "Il Guarany."
     These selections are followed by five Brazilian folk songs, and then the Rigoletto finale w.Leonard Warren, "Mi chiamano Mimi," and the third act Mimi/Marcello Scene from la Boheme w.Giuseppe De Luca.
      Following are Juliette's Waltz song from "Romeo et Juliette," the Manon "Adieu,notre petite table" and the St.Sulpice duet with Charles Kullman.
        Concluding the podcast is the famous 1945 premiere recording (done in one take) of the Cantilena from Heitor Villa-Lobos" Bachianas brasileira," op.45.                   (74 min.)

Welcome to TENOR HEAVEN!!!!!

    There are so many superb tenors in the opera world today,I thought you would like a sample of their art.They include:

Lawrence Brownlee, Eric Cutler, Jan Botha, Salvatore Licitra, Ben Heppner, Marcelo Alvarez, Ramon Vargas, Roberto Alagna, Juan Diego Flores, Jonas Kaufmann, Rolando Villazon, David Daniels (countertenor), Marcelo Giordani, Joseph Calleja, Piotr Beczala (in photo).        (70 min.)

   A podcast tribute to a lady who possessed one of the most phenomenal voices in opera history,Dame Eva Turner. I was first introduced to her by someone playing her ?"In questa reggia," and ever since I have marvelled at the beauty and power of a voice that thrilled thousands for almost 30 years.  The material I have included is as follows:

  Arias from Tosca. Aida, Gioconda, Mme.Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana, Il  Trovatore.
  "Homing" by Del Riego
   "God save the King" with chorus from the live 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
     "In questa reggia" and the Riddle Scene from a live 1937 Covent Garden performance of Turandot, with Giovanni Martinelli, conducted by John Barbirolli>
         I sincerely hope you enjoy this miraculous voice.
 

The famous Zerbinetta aria from Strauss' "Ariadne Auf Naxos" as sung by six marvelous coluratura sopranos. They are:

Rita Streich, Hilde Gueden (in photo), Edita Gruberova, Ruth Welting, Natalie Dessay, and Beverly Sills (1912 version.)   (71 min.)

A mini podcast that features five tenors singing the famous  "Fille du Reggiment" aria with the nine high C's. You therefore get to hear a total of 45 of them!!!!!!

Included are Grayson Hirst, Enrico De Giuseppe, Alfredo Kraus, Luciano Pavarotti, and Juan Diego Flores.    (41 min.)

P.S. After you hear this, try it yourself...So what if your family disowns you!!!!!!

 This is the second podcast in which I feature singers and repertory at the request of one of Dolora Zajick's group of truly amazing young artists. If you click the following link, it will take you to the "Seguidilla" from Carmen, as sung by the bright young mezzo, Allegra de Vita (in photo.)
 

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6BLYCj3i28

   I have therefore presented a pot-pourri of mostly lyric mezzos singing some of the works tht Mme.De Vita is studying, plus some additional material I feel appropriate. The artists are:

Janet Baker, Magdalena Kozena, Joyce di Donato, Sonia Ganassi, Susan Graham, Sarah Connolly, Josephine Veasy, Elina Garanca, Viveca Genaux, Vesselina Kasarova, and (the only more dramatic mezzo), Shirley Verrett. 
      I sincerely hope this podcast will be a useful aid to Mme.De Vita's studies and we wish her our best for future success.    (70 min.)

Highlights from three recordings of Verdi's early opera, "La Battaglia di Legnano."  I wish they would perform this fine work more often. The three casts are as follows:

Caterina Mancini, Amadeo Berdini, Rolando Panerai
Antonietta Stella, Franco Corelli, Ettore Bastianini
Leyla Gencer, Giovanni Gibin, Ugo Savarese
                                 (56 min.)
                             

   The third volume of "Che gelida manina" as sung by 15 tenors. 
     Included (in order) are:

Enrico Caruso, Dino Borgioli (abridged), Jan Peerce, Jerry Hadley, Neil Shicoff, Rolando Villazon, Jose Carreras, Giacinto Prandelli, Giacomo Aragall, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Sandor Konya, Hipolito Lazaro, Giuseppe Lugo (In French), Gianni Raimondi, and Roberto Alagna.
                             (74 min.)

   I take great pleasure in presenting a podcast, the first of several, in which I specifically choose material to assist the young students in Dolora Zajick's program with their repertory, allowing them to sample some of the great artists of the past and present, and offering examples chosen from their requests.
   At the same time, all of you have the opportunity to continue to enjoy the artistry of many of our superb singers, in various vocal categories.     We start with the tenors:

Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli, Carlo Bergonzi, Jon Vickers, James King, Rene Kollo, Jonas Kaufmann, Wolfgang Windgassen, Peter Schreier, Lauritz Melchior, Set Svanholm, Stephen Gould, and Jose Carreras. (66 min.)
      
       Let us wish these young artists our best, and let us praise Mme.Zajick, one of opera's greatest treasures, for her efforts.
     

   As a special tribute to the great Mario Del Monaco, born on July 27, 1915, I present highlights from a La Scala 1954 Otello, conducted by Antonino Votto, and featuring the great Renata Tebaldi and Leonard Warren.
    I saw this exact same cast a year later, on the occasion of Mme.Tebaldi's Met debut, and it remains one of the great events of my operatic experience.
    Let us remember one of the greatest tenors in the opera world on the occasion of his birthday.          (66 min.)

Highights from the 10 Wagner operas featured in a new Decca 33 cd set (only 65.00 on Amazon). These are live performances from Bayreuth, and feature some of the greatest Wagnerian artists.The highlights are as follows:

Die Meistersinger       Hannelore Bode, Karl Ridderbusch
Fliegende Hollander    Anja Silja, Franz Crass, Josef Greindl
Tristan und Isolde       Birgit Nilsson,Wolfgang Windgassen
Parsifal                       Peter Hoffman, Waltraud Meier
Lohengrin                   Anja Silja, Astrid Varnay, Ramon Vinay
Tannhauser                 Wolfgang Windgassen, Grace Bumbry
Das Rheingold              Theo Adam, Erwin Wohlfart
Die Walkure                 Leonie Rysanek
Siegfried                       Birgit Nilson, Wolfgang Windgassen
Die Gotterdamerung      Birgit Nilsson, Thomas Stewart, Josef Greindl
                                 (71 min.)

Best way to get this is to use this link!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00159679S?ie=UTF8&coliid=&ref%5F=olp%5Ftab%5Fnew&me=&qid=1248454681&qid=1248454681&sr=1-1&sr=1-1&seller=&colid=&condition=new

  Several years I was delighted to hear Argentinian soprano Fabiana Bravo as Giorgetta in "Il Tabarro" and at a concert as well.I found her voice what we call "old style," with mixed chest voice and quite a depth of emotion. I present three excerpts from her new CD and hope you enjoy her.

        The selections are from Verdi's "Il Corsaro," Giordano's "Andrea Chenier," and Puccini's "Edgar."

   The album is on the KLEOS Classics label,Number KL5149 and you might search on Helicon Records Site.

  (I get NO commission!!!!)

We honor the 96th birthday of the legendary Licia Albanese (born on July 22, 1913) by featuring highlights from two of her greatest performances:

Mme.Butterfly  1941  w. Armen Tokatyan, John Brownlee, and Lucille Browning.

Manon  1951  with Giuseppe Di Stefano

           All our best to this great lady!!!!!!!!!

                          (66 min.)

 I know that Signore Riccardo Muti (senza acuti**) would be scandalized at the kind of singing this Trovatore features. However, this is the kind of exciting singing that makes one's hair (if he has any) stand on end.
   This 1957 Naples Trovatore, conducted by Franco Capuana and featuring Antonietta Stella, Mario Filippeschi (who encores the "Di quella pira"), Fedora Barbieri, and Aldo Protti is an example of "white-hot" Verdi singing, and I wish there were more such performances today.
         (70 min.)

(**  without high notes) 

As a special birthday tribute to the great Nicolai Gedda, who turned 84 on July 11, 2009, we present him and Joan Sutherland in highlights from 1963 live performances of La Sonnambula and I Puritani. The singing is truly amazing, and I know you will be thrilled!  (65 min.)
                                              

On July 13, 2009, we celebrate the 85th birthday of Carlo Bergonzi, one of the greatest singers in opera history. His singing serves as a true "vocal lesson" for singers, and we have been blessed by his presence on opera and concert stages for over 50 years.

    This podcast, the second in his honor, features songs by Verdi, Caccini, De Curtis, Schubert, and Donizetti plus arias from Martha, La Boheme, Il Trovatore, Tosca, La Forza del Destino, L'Arlesiana, Mefistofele, and I Lombardi.
     Bergonzi always ended his recitals with "Non ti scordar di me," and we will surely never forget him!

                                      (71 min.)

One of the most sumptuous voices in my opera experience has been that of mezzo Olga Borodina. Here is a podcast that features some of her magnificent recordings:

Songs by Borodin and Tchaikowsky
Falla's Siete Canciones Populares
Arias from:
            Semiramide, Favorita, Gioconda, Maid of Orleans,Les Huguenots, Samson et Delilah, The Damnation of Faust.
                                      (71 min.)

 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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

    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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

   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.)

    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.)

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.)

   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.)

  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.)

   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.)

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.)             

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.)

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.)

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.)

   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.)

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)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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

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.)

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.)

  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.)

  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.)

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)

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)

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.)

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
    

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.)

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.)

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.)

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

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

  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.)

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.)

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)

Part Two of the great Scarpia/Tosca scene compilation. The artists are:

Birgit Nilsson, Ramon Vinay, Franco Tagliavini
Virginia Zeani, Piero Francia, Placido Domingo
Maria Callas, Robert Weede, Mario Filippeschi
Maria Callas (Return to Met),Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli
Magda Olivero(Met debut),Ingvar Wixell, James King
Dorothy Kirsten, Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli
                        (74 min.)

The first of three exciting podcasts that feature the dramatic scene between Tosca and Scarpia in Act two, followed by the "Vittoria."
             The order is as follows:

Pilar Lorengar,Ingvar Wixell, Franco Tagliavini
Johanna Meier, Richard Fredricks, Herman Malamood
Eleanor Steber, George London, Carlo Bergonzi
Raina Kabaiwanska (in photo), Mario Zanasi, Placido Domingo
Leontyne Price, Josh Wheeler, David Poleri (In English)
Leonie Rysanek, Cornell MacNeil, Richard Tucker
Gallina Vishnevskaya,Vladimir Valaitis, Virgilius Noreika (In Russian)
                              (74 min.)

Volume Two of the Manon Lescaut Act Two duet compilation:

Maria Zamboni/Francesco Merli
Licia Albanese(Met farewell)/Richard Tucker
Berthe Montmart/Alain Vanzo
Adriana Guerrini/Beniamino Gigli (at 60)
Raina Kabaiwanska/Giuseppe Giacomini
Renata Tebaldi/Placido Domingo
Magda Olivero/Richard Tucker

   (Photo: Daniela Dessi and Fabio Armiliato)

                                      (63 min.)

Part one of a compilation of the duet from Manon Lescaut Act Two. The pairs are as follows:

Renata Tebaldi.Mario Del Monaco
Virginia Zeani/Richard Tucker
Pilar Lorengar/James King
Raina Kabaiwanska/Placido Domingo
Dorothy Kirsten/Carlo Bergonzi
Hoerdis Schymberg/Jussi Bjoerling
Renata Tebaldi/Richard Tucker
                                       (The photo is from the Met,featuring Marcello Giordani and Karita Mattila.)                (69 min.)

A series of recordings that were discovered at the St.Petersburg State Museum in Russia. The Russian artists,in order of presentation on the podcast are:

 Tenors:  Boris Slovstov, Yvgenyi Vitting, Lev Klement'yev,
     Vasily Damayev, David Yuzhin(and wife), Dmitri Smirnov (in photo), Leonid Sobinoff.

Baritones:Nikolai Shevelyov, Oscar Kamionsky, Maximian Maksakov

    The International artists are:
Emile Scaramberg, Giuseppe de Luca, Antonio Magini-Coletti
(with Giannina Russ), Adamo Didur, Francesco Vignas, and
Leon Escalais.               ( 66 min.)

The first of 2 volumes of various divas singing the "Casta Diva" and cabaletta from Bellini's "Norma." The first volume includes:

Rosa Ponselle, Elena Suliotis, Christina Deutekom, Renata Scotto, Shirley Verrett, and Anita Cerquetti.

                                      (73 min.)

A collection of ensembles from 14 Verdi operas. Some of the world's most famous artists are included.The operas,in this order are:

Nabucco, Giovanna D'Arco, Attila, Ernani, Ballo in Maschera,
Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra, La Traviata, Il Trovatore,
Don Carlo, Luisa Miller, Vespri Siciliani, Aida, and Falstaff.
                                 

                                     (74 min.)

   I have waited far too long to present a podcast that features one of the great artists of all time, Carlo Bergonzi. There is so much material, but at least this is a good start. Included are arias and songs from his earlier days, up to his singing at age 67, and when I saw a New York recital at around age 77, there was still plenty of voice!
        The selections are from:

    Werther, Luisa Miller, Le Roi D'Ys, Forza Del Destino (original version), Elisir D'amore, L'Arlesiana, Martha, Mefistofele, the Verdi Requiem, and several songs.
     
     Bergonzi always ended his recitals with "Non ti scordar di me," and that is appropriate because he will NEVER be forgotten!

                                (73 min.)

A compilation of scenes from Giuseppe Verdi's "I Lombardi"(1843)
and the revised Paris version (1847) which was called "Jerusalem," and in Italian productions it is known as "Gerusalemme." Featured are:

 Aprile Millo, Maria Vitale, Katya Ricciarelli, Leyla Gencer,
 Renata Scotto, Frances Alda, Maria Callas, Paul Plishka,
 Samuel Ramey, Marcel Journet, Luciano Pavarotti,
 Piotr Beczala, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Jose Carreras, Marcello Giordani, and Enrico Caruso.               (70 min.)
 

Ten versions of the great "Liebestod" from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde."
                    The order is as follows:

Astrid Varnay,Helen Traubel, Lotte Lehmann, Nanny Larsen-Todsen,
Rita Hunter, Johanna Meier, Margaret Harshaw, Martha Moedl,
Birgit Nilsson, and Kirsten Flagstad.
                                             (73 min.)

   In the 1960's, New York opera lovers who attended the La Puma Opera Company "adopted" the diva Olive Middleton whose prime years (including singing at Covent Garden) were in the 1920's. Olive was around 80, and of course the notes were rather "approximate," but she had great feeling for the music, and the spoken material really sounds like a legitimate singer, even at her advanced age.
     Unless you are a total "purist" you might have some fun with this podcast. We met her once at the Met and treated her like a real diva;she ate it up. She passed away in 1974 at age 93,so do the math!
      At present she is coaching with Zinka Milanov, Adelina Patti, and Ethel Merman.                          Enjoy(maybe) !!!   Charlie

A comparison of famous divas performing the Phedre Recitative and the "Poveri Fiori" from Cilea's "Adriana Lecouvreur." Who is your favorite?

Magda Olivero,Renata Tebaldi, Aprile Millo, Diana Soviero, Montserrat Caballe,Mafalda Favero,Renata Scotto,Leyla Gencer(Phedre only), and
Nelly Miricioiu (Phedre only.).

                                 70 min.)

A compilation of various Mimi/Marcello scenes from act three of La Boheme. In the following order, the singers are:

Renata Scotto/Frank Guarrera
Luisa Maragliano/Giangiacomo Guelfi
Mirella Freni/Calvin Marsh
Victoria de los Angeles/Robert Merrill
Victoria de los Angeles/Renato Capecchi
Trude Eipperle/Karl Kronenberg(In German)
Raina Kabaiwanska/Matteo Manuguerra
Bidu Sayao/Giuseppe Valdengo
Renata Tebaldi/Frank Guarrera
Diana Soviero/Allan Monk
Rosetta Pampanini/Gino Vanelli
Licia Albanese/Afro Poli
Rosanna Carteri/Giuseppe Taddei
                             (70 min.)

  The opera world has been enriched by the presence of so many artists of Spanish/Hispanic origin. I hope you enjoy this compilation of material featuring many of the wonderful performers from various Spanish-speaking lands:

Victoria de los Angeles, Montserrat Caballe, Conchita Supervia, Maria Barrientos, Hina Spani, Maria Galvany, Mercedes Capsir, Pilar Lorengar, Oralia Dominguez, Ramon Vinay, Miguel Fleta, Placido Domingo, Jose Palet, Hipolito Lazaro, Emile Vendrell, Antonio Cortis, Francisco Vinas, and Jose Mardones.

                               (73 minutos)

Some opera stars really can "crossover" into superb renditions of "Pop" music.(Well,most of them,anyway). Here are some examples featuring:

Thomas Hampson,Bryn Terfel, Kip Wilborn, Dorothy Kirsten, Rise Stevens, Sumi Jo, Maureen Forrester, Dorothy Bishop, Thomas Quasthoff, Rene Fleming, Federica Von Stade, Placido Domingo,
Diana Soviero (at 17), Regina Resnik, Renata Tebaldi,Cesare Siepi, and the famous Burnette/Horne/Farrell trio.

                       (72 min.)

A podcast dedicated to the "lost art" of verismo soprano style. Included are arias by:

         Magda Olivero,Virginia Zeani, Maria Farnetti, Rosetta Pampanini,
         Pia Tassinari, Claudia Muzio, Maria Zamboni,
          Bianca Sciacciati, Hina Spani, Mafalda Favero, Rosanna Carteri,
          Licia Albanese, Angela Gheorghiu, Renata Scotto, and Diana 
          Soviero.   (64 min.)

  I have selected some artists I feel belong in my "controversial" category. I love most of them,but some I never could grasp...that is the way of things in life. One person exits a film and raves;the other one is totally negative. Same with opera, so PLEASE do not send me too much hate mail, because after all, I am a fairly nice guy.
    The artists are:
        Martha Moedl, Leonie Rysanek, Theresa Stitch-Randall, Boris Christoff, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Conchita Supervia, Lily Pons, Christina Deutekom, Ivan Koslovsky, Giovanni Martinelli, Maria Callas, Renata Scotto, Magda Olivero, and Leyla Gencer.
                                 (71 minutes)

Commercial Recordings from the 1920's of some of the marvelous artists who sang in the Wagner Ring. Included are:

Frieda Leider, Lauritz Melchior, Friedrich Schorr, Emil Schipper, Margarete Klose, Florence Austral, Florence Easton, Walter Widdop, Germaine Lubin, Charles Rousseliere, Andre Verdiere, Ludwig Hoffmann, Ludwig Weber, Maria Olzsewska .
                               (69 min.)

The redone Fanciulla Poker Scene with the following selections:

1. Arlene Saunders/Gianpiero Mastromei
2. Olivia Stapp/Mastromei
3.Johanna Meier/Cornelius Opthof
4 .Eleanor Steber/Giangiacomo Guelfi
5. Marilyn Zschau/John Shaw
6. Magda Olivero/Guelfi
7. Aprile Millo/Marco Chingari
8. Gigliola Frazzoni/Tito Gobbi
9. Renata Tebaldi/Guelfi  (RAI)
10.Renata Tebaldi/Anselmo Colzani

Link to the Youtube video featuring Irina Rindzuner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvx5irtKov8

                   (59 min.)

A comparison of three tenors who thrilled us in our opera-going days from 1951-1975.

     DelMonaco  1951-1960
     Corelli          1961-1976
     Tucker         1951-1975
       
    They sing in Tosca,Fanciulla,Trovatore,Turandot,and Pagliacci

                I saw them a total of about 150 times, and my memories are vivid and clear. I will tell you that audiences were astounded by their brilliant voices, and as much as I like many tenors of today, no one has come along with this "brand" of squillo!!!!!    (70 min.)
               

A comparison of arias as sung by our renowned three tenors, Carreras,Domingo, and Pavarotti. We were lucky to have had these fellows among us.

  The operas represented are:
     Werther,Luisa Miller, Rigoletto, La Boheme, Tosca.
                                    (71 min.)

 The wonderful Margarete Klose is presented in arias and scenes from:

Orfeo,Tristan und Isolde, Alceste, Samson et Delilah, Don Carlo, Gotterdamerung, Il Trovatore, Un Ballo in Maschera, Lohengrin, Elektra, Die Walkure     (64 min.)

An exciting comparison of various singers in the Macbeth Letter Aria from Act One. Included are:

Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson, Regina Resnik, Christa Ludwig,
Leyla Gencer, Shirley Verrett, Maria Callas, Rita Hunter, and
if you go to the following link, you can see the CBC video of this scene with Marisa Galvany.    (71 min.)

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Maria+Galvany&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=Marisa%20Galvany&hl=en&emb=0

P.S. On the Marisa Galvany page,you will hear some excerpts from the soprano Maria Galvany, whose rapid-fire staccati are legendary, if also rather strange.

 A comparison of various versions (French and English) of the "O Mio Fernando" aria from Donizetti's "La Favorita." Included are:

Giulietta Simionato, Ebe Stignani, Fedora Barbieri, Regina Resnik,
Shirley Verrett, Ketty Lapeyerette, Fiorenza Cossotto, Gloria Scalchi, Vesselina Kasarova, and Rise Stevens.
         
               So, who is your "favorita?"               (68 min.)
  

    An exciting podcast that features some of the most exciting live scenes and arias in my collection. You may have heard some of them on previous podcasts, but to have them all together might be a special treat, excellent for parties,etc.
    I do contend that this fearless brand of vocalism is  mostly absent these days from the opera scene.This does not mean I do not treasure many of our present-day artists, but I still say that most of you would require a supply of oxygen upon hearing this kind of singing.
     Want a part two???  Let me know!!!!
                              My best   Charlie
                                        (73 min.)

 A podcast that features 15 famous artists of the past singing music appropriate for the holidays. Included are:

Rosa Ponselle,Giovanni Martinelli, Enrico Caruso, Sigrid Onegin, Ernstine Schumann-Heink, Beniamino Gigli, Lotte Lehmann, Emmy Destinn, Lawrence Tibbett, John Charles Thomas, John McCormack, Alma Gluck, Elizabeth Schumann, Richard Crooks, and Claudia Muzio

                                      (59 min.)

     The remarkable Giacomo Puccini was born on Dec.22, 1858. At
this time we celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth. Can we think of any other composer who has consistenly "tugged at our heartstrings" with the glorious music he composed?
       Featured are excerpts, live and commercial, from each of his operas,plus some symphonic material. I know you wil join me in celebrating the birth of this true genius!

                                   (68 min.)

My most affectionate tribute to Rene Pape, my favorite singer of today.
He has brought so much joy to the opera world by virtue of his magnificent voice and his brilliant musicianship. The selections are from:

Romeo et Juliette, Fidelio, Zauberflote, Die Meistersinger,
Lohengrin, The Demon (Rubenstein), Das Rheingold, and
Tristan und Isolde. (Who goes to a Tristan for a King Marke???)
                                      (50 min.)

A comparison of several versions of the Walkure Act 3 scene between Brunnhilde and Sieglinde. Included are many famous voices, and of special interest, one can sample Nilsson,Moedl,Flagstad, and Varnay in both roles. Other artists included are:

Leonie Rysanek,Hilde Konetzni, Rita Hunter, Lotte Lehmann,
Regina Resnik, Marjorie Lawrence, Helen Traubel, Regine Crespin,
Margaret Curphey.

                                 (72 min.)

    A podcast that features the soprano/mezzo career of the great Regina Resnik, one of the  music world's legendary personalities, not only owing to her successes in two vocal fachs (soprano and mezzo), but who has achieved international recognition as producer, director, filmmaker, teacher and coach. In addition, her brilliant master classes have inspired so many young artists in the opera world in their careers. 
       

                     The selections are from:
Ernani, Queen of Sheba, Cavalleria, Fidelio    (soprano repertory) Carmen, Walkure, Falstaff, Le Cid, Pique Dame, Boris Godunov,
The Medium, Ballo in Maschera, and a hilarious "Chacun a Bing's Gout"
at the Farewell Gala for Rudolf Bing.

                               (72 min.)
      
   

I have more recently come to love the opera Parsifal, especially the roles of Amfortas and Gurnemanz. The depth of emotion and the spirituality of their music are so touching and I am presenting both the Amfortas act one monologue and part of the act three Good Friday scene:

Amfortas:  Paul Schoeffler, George London,Thomas Stewart, Thomas Quasthoff.

Gurnemanz and Parsifal:    Hans Hotter/Jon Vickers,
  Franz-Josef Selig/Placido Domingo, Franz Crass/Sandor Konya
  Ludwig Weber/Wolfgang Windgassen, Alexander Kipnis/Rene Maison.

                                   (74 min.)

   You will hear some tremendously exciting singing in this comparison podcast of various Church Scenes from Gounod's Faust. Included are the following singers:

Erie Mills/Kristin Sigmundsson
Licia Albanese/Ezio Pinza
George Hann/Margarete Teschemacher
Italo Tajo/Dorothy Kirsten
Bryn Terfel/Angela Gheorghiu
Samuel Ramey/Diana Soviero
Cesare Siepi/Victoria de los Angeles
Jerome Hines/Hilde Gueden
Nicolai Ghiaurov/Mirella Freni
                    
                                 Have fun!!!!!   (71 min.)

Soprano Lucia Aliberti in scenes from Beatrice di Tenda, La Traviata,
Aroldo, and Il Pirata.
   I hope they are to your liking.   My best   Charlie

                              (63 min.)

  With new material, here is the promised podcast of the marvelous
  Meta Seinemeyer, who left us tragically at only age 33. I am sure you
will enjoy it. The four cd album on the Preiser label is still available from Amazon,at a greatly reduced price of $40.00,if you wish to sample even more of her art.

                                  My best   Charlie

                                         (73 min.)

The second podcast that features some superb tenors of the French school. They are as follows, in order of the podcast:

Emile Marcellin, David Devries, Agustarello Affre, Jose De Trevi,
Jean Anzani, Paul Goffin, Guy Cazavena, Cesar Vezzani,
Jose Luccioni, Raoul Girard, Gaston Micheletti, Rene Verdierre,
Louis Delaguerriere,Eugene De Creuse, Maurice Capitaine,
Edmond Rambaud, Josef Rogatchewsky, Miguel Villabella (in photo),
and Georges Thill.

                     I sincerely hope you enjoy these wonderful artists!

                                  (73 min.)

  A tribute to the remarkable Placido Domingo on the occasion of his 40th anniversary at the Met, as well as recognition for a career that has emerged as one of the greatest in music history.

Selections are from:   Cavalleria Rusticana, Rienzi, Lohengrin,
   Elijah, Samson et Delilah,Adriana Lecouvreur, Andrea Chenier,
   Manon, Carmen (w.Resnik), Iris, Otello, Luisa Fernanda, El Trust ,     and a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

       Our most sincere congratulations to Mr.Domingo for all he has
        achieved in the music world.

                                    (73.min.)

     I sincerely hope you enjoy the voice and artistry of the superb Piotr Beczala, one of our very great singers. Here are some excerpts from his new album "Salut" plus the Land of Smiles aria from the complete recording.
       Inspired by the great Fritz Wunderlich, Mr.Beczala surely is a
"logical successor" to the man, and there are some similarities. The tone is so lush and his musicianship is impeccable. I also realize that there have been other"smart tenors" like Gedda,Bergonzi,Kraus, Tucker, and Gigli who had long illustrious careers because they had the good sense to
carefully choose proper repertory, and therefore I am not worried that Mr.Beczala will be essaying Otello or Tristan!!!!!

                     I know you will enjoy this album as much as I did. If you have any comments, please forward them to me and I will forward them to Mr.Beczala.                         My best   Charlie
P.S.  GO HERE:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Handelmania&emb=0&aq=f#q=Handelmania%20Beczala&emb=0

Highlights from various performances of Verdi's "I Due Foscari"(1844).
Featured are some of the fine singers who appeared in this work:

Renato Bruson, Gian-Giacomo Guelfi, Carlo Bergonzi, Mirto Picchi, Leyla Gencer, Margarita Castro-Alberty, and Linda Vajna. (71 min.)

                    )

Twenty Tenors who may not be as well-known as others, but who nevertheless sang beautifully and had major careers, mostly in the earlier part of the 20th century:       Contents as follows:

1.Silvano Isalberti  "Stelle d'oro" (Denza)
2.Carlo Dani   "Le Reve"  (Manon)
3.Giulio Crimi  "O mio picciolo tavolo" (Zaza)
4.Carlos Mejia  "Ecco ridente"   (Barbiere)
5.Wilhelm Herold   Fra Diavolo Aria  (Auber)
6.Bjorn Talen    Barber of Bagdad aria  (Cornelius)
7.Carl Martin Oehmann  "Prize Song" (Meistersinger)

 8.Karl Jorn     "Ah quel plaisir"  (La Dame Blanche)
 9.Karel Burlan (in photo)  "My colleague Caruso" (Burlan)
10.Stanislaw Gruszczynski  "Eternamente"  (Mascheroni)
11.Petra Raitscheff     "E canto il grillo"
12.Ignacy Dygas    Aria from "Haunting Manor"     
13 Giuseppe Krismer   Damnation of Faust Aria (Berlioz) 
14.Tadeusz Liliwa       Aria from "Halka" (Moniusko)
15.Andrei Markovitch Labinski    Dubrovsky Song
16.David Juzhin     Le Prophete aria  (Meyerbeer)
17.Alexander Bogdanovich   "Love is a delightful dream (Bleichman)
18.Alexander Davydov         "Leave me"  (Davydov)
19.Modest Menzinsky          "Barcarolle"
20.Ivan Erschov          Tannhauser Act One Aria  (Wagner)

  (If you can spell every name without looking, I will give you a gift of
     all my Sarah Brightman CD's.)

.                                   (74 min.)

FINALMENTE!!!!

          I am happy to be back with you after some problems with the new computer,and I promise to make it up to you. I think you will enjoy these 17 versions of the Otello act two final scene featuring some of the great artists who sang Otello and Iago.

                   I sincerely thank you for your patience.

                             ( 62 min.)

A compilation of 12 sopranos singing the famous Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote." In order, they are as follows:

Lea Piltti, Gitta Alpar, Lucia Popp, Rita Shane, Cynthia Sieden, Aline Kutan, Roberta Peters, Sumi Jo, Erika Koeth, Wilma Lipp, Natalie Dessay, and (an oddity), Maria Galvany.

                                    (45 min.)

  Compilation of choruses from 16 operas as follows:

Nabucco(in photo), I Lombardi, Macbeth (2 versions),
Iris, Mefistofele, War and Peace, Boris Godunov, Prince Igor,
Parsifal, Gotterdamerung, Meistersinger, Fidelio, Les Troyens,
Romeo et Juliette, and Peter Grimes.

                            (74 min.)

   Nostalgia Supreme!   Highlights from the 1974 Callas/Di Stefano tour. The wear and tear on the voices is quite evident, but it is a final memory of the collaboration of two of the world's greatest singers.

                                       (66 minutes)

Highlights from a blazing hot performance of Puccini"s "La Fanciulla del West," from Florence, 1954, conducted by Dimitri Mitropolous and starring Eleanor Steber, Mario del Monaco, and Giangiacomo Guelfi.

                                  (67 min.)

Some of the greatest artists in opera sang Italian opera in German. Although the vocal line does change somewhat, one must make the "sacrifice," since these are marvelous artists, and deserve to be heard.
The artists heard are as follows:

Maria Cebotari(in photo), Gertrude Runger, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrude Bindernagel, Maria Reining, Martha Moedl, Emmy Leisner, Karen Branzell, Elizabeth Schumann-Heink, Herman Uhde, Alexander Kipnis, Julius Patzak, Lauritz Melchior, Michael Bohnen, Joseph Schwartz,
and Willy Domgraf-Fassbaender.     (72 min.)

20 selections that feature some of the wonderful tenors of German extraction. Included are:

Marcel Wittrisch,(in photo), Richard Tauber,Herbert Ernst Groh,Franz Voelker.
        (These tenors are featured in several selections each.)

  In addition, I added one selection as sung by Peter Anders, Rudolf Lustig, and Rudolf Schock.

               (73 min.)

  A tribute to the phenomenal Rosa Ponselle, one of the greatest singers in opera history. Included are some commercial selections, but mostly live selections from 1951-1954. Enjoy!!!! 

(73 min.)

 Scenes from one of the greatest performances of La Forza del Destino (1952) with a stellar cast including Zinka Milanov,Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren, and Jerome Hines. I know you will be thrilled by these great artists, as I was so many times in my misspent youth

                                 (73 minutes)

  One of the most exciting scenes in opera is the opening of act
  three of Otello, featuring the confrontation between Otello and
   Desdemona. This podcast presents nine performances of the
    scene, all from live performances. The couples are:

M.Price/Domingo             DeLos Angeles/Del Monaco
Albanese/Vinay                 Milanov/McCracken
Rethberg/Martinelli            Millo/Atlantov
Tebaldi/Vickers                 Crespin/Del Monaco
                       Steber/Vinay  
                         

                             (74 minutes)

Commercial and live recordings featuring the very great soprano,Lotte Lehmann (1885-1976). I have always felt that if I had to choose one soprano of the past to have heard (in my time machine), it would be this amazing lady.
                        I hope you enjoy the selections.    

                                       (72 minutes)   

Many selections from opera and operetta featuring the great Danish tenor, Helge Roswaenge (1897-1972). I know you will enjoy this podcast and will realize what a fabulous career this man had.

                              (72 minutes)

   I have come to the conclusion that Roumanian-born Virginia Zeani has emerged, in my opinion, as one of the greatest divas in opera history. I hope you enjoy the selections on this podcast. The works represented are:

Forza del Destino,Maria di Rohan, I Puritani, Tosca,
La Boheme, Turandot, La Traviata, La Rondine,
The Consul, Elisir D'Amore, Vespri Siciliani,Mefistofele,
and The Merry Widow.
            
       I sincerely hope you will enjoy listening to one of the
great artists in opera history, and a very dear friend as well.

                            (72 minutes)  

     Highlights from two analyses of the great Wagner Ring of the  Nibelung.The first is by Speight Jenkins, using scenes from the 1953 Bayreuth Ring, and the second is by Deryck Cook, with material taken from the London Ring Set under Solti.

     Finally, the legendary Ring Analysis as performed by the hilarious Anna Russell. ("She's not making this up, you know!"

                                 (68 min.)
 

A compilation of 13 baritones who sang Wagner, among other material.
The baritones represented sing arias from Tannhauser,Lohengrin,
 Meistersinger,Walkure, Siegfried, Gotterdamerung, Flying Dutchman,
 and Parsifal. Artists included are:

George London, Bryn Terfel, Friedrich Schorr,Ferdinand Frantz,
Herman Uhde, Hans Herman Nissen, Jose Van Dam, Michael Bohnen,
Rudolf Bockelmann, Heinrich Schlusnus, Paul Schoeffler, Joel
Berglund, and Emil Schipper.

                                      (70 minutes)

 A tribute to the great Jussi Bjoerling (1911-1960) with arias and
  songs from his extensive repertory. (Announced.)

                                 (73 minutes)

  This is the first of the Jussi Bjoerling tribute podcasts. We present highlights from the remarkable 1947 Romeo et Juliette with Bidu Sayao as the Juliette.
    I have always considered this one of the all-time greatest examples of Bjoerling's art. (Get your stop-watch ready for the high C at the end of the ensemble.)  

(28 min.)

        In tribute to the late marvelous Leyla Gencer, I present
   highlights from the three Donizetti "Queen" operas, Anna
   Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux.
        The great diva has left us in body, but her spirit and
   her legacy will remain forever for those of us who have
   treasured her remarkable contribution to the vocal art. May
   she rest in peace.

                                      (72 minutes)

A birthday tribute to two of the greatest sopranos who ever
 graced opera stages:

 Birgit Nilsson, born May 27, 1918

Zinka Milanov, born May 17, 1906

               The Nilsson photo is separate,as you see, and the Milanov
           photo is very early, from Croatia.

        Our lives would be far less enriched without these two great ladies.

                                           (78 minutes)

   I was so entranced by the recent singing in the Seraglio of soprano Diana Damrau that I thought I would present a few samples of her wonderful "Arie di Bravura," available on the Virgin Classics label.
Included are arias by Righini,Salieri, and Mozart (Announced). I hope you enjoy these samples, and if you like the idea of my presenting samples of various albums (if I have them),let me know..That includes complete operas, recitals,etc.

Go to YOUTUBE and type her name..and you will see ASTOUNDING performances!!!!!!

 Scenes from each Puccini opera,in chronoligical order,
 plus some orchestral material and some songs. Featured are:

Placido Domingo,Aureliano Pertile, Roberto Alagna,
Thomas Hampson, Tommi Hakala, Giuseppe Taddei,
Anselmo Colzani, Renata Tebaldi, Angela Gheorghiu,
Virginia Zeani, Margarita Sheridan, Licia Albanese,
Joan Sutherland, Anita Cerquetti, Angela Maria Blasi,
Diana Soviero.

                                        (69 minutes)

Highlights from this magnificent work (Charlie's second favorite opera).

We feature Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek,Regina Resnik,
Olivia Stapp,Martha Moedl, Inge Borkh, Gwyneth Jones,
Margarete Klose, Johanna Meier, Ute Vinzing, Herman Uhde.

                               (71 minutes)

   A selection of unusual material for you to GUESS! I hope you have fun with this venture into some of the oddities in the opera world.

                                   (65 minutes)

NOT FOR PURISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

           Lowlights from the Die Walkure performance at the
     legendary La Puma Opera Company, circa 1965. The
          great Olive Middleton stars as Sieglinde and the inevitable
     bass-baritone Mario Leone is the Wotan.

REMEMBER!  I WARNED YOU!!!!

 (33 glorious minutes)

   The first podcast dedicated to the art of the legendary
    Maria Callas. Selections include scenes from:

      Aida, Tosca, Norma, Nabucco, Aroldo, Armida,
      Gianni Schicchi, Abduction from the Seraglio,
       Andrea Chenier, Lucia, Tristan und Isolde, Gioconda,
        Vespri Siciliani, plus the Proch Variations and Callas"
          Farewell to her Julliard Students

(73 min.)

Highlights from a marvelous 1968 performance of Verdi's
"Luisa Miller," featuring Richard Tucker, Montserrat Caballe,
Sherrill Milnes, Giorgio Tozzi, and Ezio Flagello, conducted by
Thomas Schippers.

                            (60 minutes)

A Compilation of famous tenors of the "Golden Eras" in opera:

Pertile,Martinelli, Gigli, Bjoerling, Schipa, Thill, Slezak,
Devries, Bonci, Tauber, Zanelli, Patzak, Sobinov,
Smirnov, Tamagno, Clement.

                            (67 minutes)

 Scenes from Manon, Il Tabarro, Tales of Hoffman, and
 Roberto Devereux featuring Beverly Sills and Placido Domingo.
 

(63 min.)                                        

My tribute to Aprile Millo, one of the finest (and nicest) artists I have
had the pleasure of hearing. I present her in scenes from:

Trovatore, Fanciulla, Rusalka, Andrea Chenier, Luisa Miller,
La Gioconda, Adriana Lecouvreur,Tosca, and I Lombardi.
     Also joining Mme.Millo in these scenes are Dolora Zajick,
     Marcello Giordani, Vladimir Atlantov, Taro Ichihara,and
     Vladimir Chernov.

                                   (67 minutes)

  A memorial tribute to the late Giuseppe Di Stefano ("Pippo") .

       The opera world mourns his passing and we present him in scenes from live performances of:

 La Favorita, Faust, Andrea Chenier, Turandot, Iris, Pearl Fishers, 
Ballo in Maschera (w.Maria Callas), La Boheme,
Tosca, Werther, Manon, Mignon, and two Italian songs.

(72 min.)

A  comparison of Kunst(art) and Stimme (voice) sopranos.
Included are the following divas:

Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Joan Sutherland, Martha Moedl,
Kirsten Flagstad, Leonie Rysanek, Nina Stemme, Marilyn Horne,
Conchita Supervia, Elena Suliotis, Maria Caniglia, Zinka Milanov,
Edita Gruberova.

                                       (74 minutes)

Scenes from some of the great Rossini works as presented
on his birthday (Feb.29, born in 1792). Operas include:

Barbiere di Siviglia, Cenerentola, Viaggio a Rheims,
William Tell, L'Italiana in Algeri, Semiramide
L'Assedio di Corinto, and Armida. Featured artists are:

Marilyn Horne, Conchita Supervia, Vesselina Kasarova,
Ewa Podles, Montserrat Caballe, Beverly Sills,
Nicolai Gedda, Marcello Giordani, Fernando di Lucia,
Norman Mittleman, Juan Diego Florez, Maria Callas,
 and Ruggero Raimondi.

                                  (73 minutes)

Scenes from Verdi's Ernani, featuring some of the greatest
singers of the past:

Anita Cerquetti, Leontyne Price, Zinka Milanov, Grace Bumbry,
Leyla Gencer,Caterina Mancini, Gino Penno, Mario del Monaco,
Placido Domingo (past and also present), Flaviano Labo,
Leonard Warren, Mario Sereni, Ettore Bastianini, Leonard Warren,
Cornel MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli, Lando Bartolini, Cesare Siepi,
Nicolai Ghiaurov.

                                           (76 minutes)

   Songs and Arias as sung by the great Claudia Muzio.
   She passed away at only 47 years of age, but left a
   legacy of true greatness in the opera world.

                                 (78 minutes)

Selections from Aida, Trovatore, Ernani, Nabucco, and
La Battaglia di Legnano featuring the wonderful soprano
Caterina Mancini, whose Cetra recordings introduced me to
the brand of exciting singing usually absent these days. She
is joined in duets by Paolo Silveri, Rolando Panerai,
Giuseppe Taddei, and Carlo Tagliabue

                                   (44 minutes)

So, when does the next swan leave????? (You all know the story!)

Here are scenes from this great opera featuring some great artists:

Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson, Elizabeth Rethberg, Astrid Varnay,
Lauritz Melchior, Helen Traubel, Marjorie Lawrence,Ninon Vallin,
Wolfgang Windgassen, Rita Gorr, Emmanuel List, Leonard Warren,
Elizabeth Grummer, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Barbro Ericson,
Lotte Lehmann.

                                        (66 minutes)

Highlights from Puccini operas featuring many great artists:

Rosa Ponselle, Claudia Muzio, Virginia Zeani, Licia Albanese,
Margherita Sheridan, Edith Mason, Nelly Melba, Lucrecia Bori,
Magda Olivero, Montserrat Caballe, Mattia Battistini,Titta Ruffo,
Beniamino Gigli, Enrico Caruso, Aureliano Pertile,Tito Schipa,
John McCormack.

                                   (73 minutes)

 Selections from live performances conducted by Leopold Stokowski.
 Featured are Birgit Nilsson, Franco Corelli, and George London.
 In addition to the concert material, we present scenes from the
 legendary 1961 Turandot, featuring Nilsson and Corelli in shining form!

                                    (73 minutes)

  By popular request (Ruben!!), here are highlights from
  Cecilia, a truly beautiful, and seldom-heard work. It
  features Renata Scotto as both the Angel and Cecilia, Harry
  Theyard as Valerian, and George Fourie as Almachis. It
  is conducted by Angelo Campori.

                                   (66 minutes)

Famous tenors of past and present whose last names happen
to begin with the letter "V." Included are:

Ramon Vinay, Cesar Vezzani, Albert Vaguet, Alessandro Valente,
Franz Voelker, Rene Verdiere, Francisco Vignas, Miguel Villabella,
Ramon Vargas, and (in photo), Rolando Villazon.

                                  (66 minutes)

IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS THAT I LEFT OUT THE WONDERFUL VALLETTI,VICKERS,AND OTHERS, WHAT I HAD DONE WAS JUST GO TO A SHELF THAT HAD THOSE RECITALS. NO CRUELTY INTENDED!!!!!

Excerpts from the great career of tenor Nicolai Gedda. These
are all live and the operas represented are:

Boheme,Tosca,Tales of Hoffmann,Vespri Siciliani,
I Puritani,The Pearl Fishers, Faust, La Sonnambula
Don Giovanni, Le Roi d'ys,La Traviata,Mignon,
Yolanta.                     (72 minutes)

 An exciting compilation of scenes from Leoncavallo's
 "I Pagliacci," featuring:

  Richard Tucker, Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli,
  Helge Roswaenge, Jussi Bjoerling, Carlo Bergonzi,
  Licia Albanese, Diana Soviero, Marilyn Horne,
  Hilde Scheppan, Victoria de los Angeles, Robert Merrill,
  Leonard Warren, Ettore Bastianini, Frank Guarrera,
Giovanni Martinelli(in photo)  Manuel Lanza, and
Teresa Stratas

(66 min.)

Great Singers of the "Germanic" School. Included are:

Frieda Leider (in photo), Margarita Perras, Alexander Kipnis,
Lotte Lehmann, Tiana Lemnitz, Friedrich Schorr, Maria Ivogun,
Johanna Gadski, Franz Voelker, Marcel Wittrisch,Wilhelm Hesch,
Maria Olzewska, Lauritz Melchior, Maria Cebotari,Richard Tauber,
Gerhard Huesch, Elizabeth Schumann

                                     (78 minutes)

Marisa Galvany, one of the most exciting artists, in a podcast
featuring material from Aida,Norma,Tosca,Traviata, and
Anna Bolena.

          This is a re-doing of a previous Galvany podcast, with
       the deletion of three items, but the narration remains the
        same, so references to Macbeth, Ernani, and the Aida
         "Ritorna Vincitor"  are to be ignored.

                  Let me know all is now well!!!!!!!!!

Still another "adventure" into some of the unusual happenings
in the opera world. Fun for opera gatherings!!!!!  ENJOY!!!

                                 (54 minutes)

Songs, Arias, and opera scenes, as performed by the great
Pavel Lisitsian, possessive of one of the most beautiful
baritone voices in opera history. (All material announced)

                                   (78 minutes)

Volume One of a compilation of some of the funniest,
most bizarre, most unusual happenings in opera. I do hope
you enjoy this podcast, and will request another.

I strongly recommend you go to:                              http://www.collup.com   

             Donald Collup has prepared four fabulous volumes of these "oddities" and I think you might want to purchase one or more of  them.

(70 min.)

The second part of the celebration of the great Verdi, with
 the finales of:

      Macbeth ( 2 versions), Luisa Miller, Rigoletto, Trovatore,
      Traviata, Vespri Siciliani, Simon Boccanegra, Ballo in Maschera,
      Forza del Destino, Don Carlo, Aida, Otello, and Falstaff

      (All casts announced)         (71 minutes)

The first of a two-part celebration of the great Giuseppe
Verdi's genius, featuring the finale of almost all his works.

Included here are the finales of:
  Nabucco, I Lombardi, Gerusalemme, Ernani, I Due Foscari,
  Giovanna D'Arco, Alzira, Attila, I Masnadieri, Il Corsaro,
   La Battaglia di Legnano, Stiffelio, and Aroldo.

               (Cast details announced)     ( 62 minutes)

The beautiful aria of Prince Yeletsky in act two
 of Tchaikowsky's "Pique Dame" as sung by:

Dmitri Hvorostovsky(in photo), Hugo Hasslo, Bernd Weikl,
William Walker, Pavel Lisitsian, Ettore Bastianini,
Heinrich Schlusnus, Vladimir Chernov, Nikola Mitic,
Andrei Fedosoyev, and Hans Herman Nissen.

                             (53 minutes)

Birgit Nilsson as Elektra from her first
performance in role (1965) to her last
in 1982. A great lady!!

(67 minutes)

One of the greatest performances in my memory!!!!
       This is Maria Stuarda from 1972 at the new York City Opera.
    It features the dear late Beverly Sills in one of her great
    roles, Marisa Galvany as an amazing powerful Elizabetta,
    Kenneth Riegel,Richard Fredricks, and J.B.Davis.
        These scenes from the performance are especially memorable
      to me, since I attended, and since Mme.Galvany has been
      a good friend for so many years.    ENJOY!!!

                                      (55 minutes)

 Scenes from the great March 17, 1956 Met Forza del Destino,
  featuring my four favorite singers in their respective voice
  categories (of singers I have seen live):

  Zinka Milanov, Leonard Warren, Cesare Siepi, and Richard Tucker

                                  (74 minutes)

A comparison of several mezzos/sopranos singing the Ortrud Curse from act two of Wagner's "Lohengrin."  Included are:

Astrid Varnay(in photo),Margarete Klose, Janis Martin,
Mignon Dunn, Eva Randova, Nadine Denize, Gwyneth Jones,
Janina Baechle, Linda Watson, Margaret Harshaw,
Kerstin Thorborg, Marjorie Lawrence, Edith Walker

                              (53  loud minutes)

.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy this podcast,dedicated to
a fine tenor, Gianni Raimondi. Raimondi is one of those
artists who deserves more recognition, and it is my pleasure
to present ten arias from his repertory.

                                 (56 minutes)

Ten versions of the finale of act one of Puccini's "Turandot"
featuring some of the great tenors and sopranos who essayed
their roles.

     ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!         Charlie

                                   (73 minutes)

   Recently, I was impressed so much with the singing and the artistry of tenor Kip Wilborn, whom I heard at New York City Opera as
Turiddu in "Cavalleria Rusticana." I present six selections from his
album entitled, "Be My Love," and I hope you will enjoy them as
much as I do.
     Having heard so many wonderful tenors over 55 years, I am
still so rewarded when these so-called "jaded ears" can thrill to
a new voice.    ENJOY!!!!

                               (26 minutes)

  A comparison of various renditions of the Traviata aria
  "Addio del passato" as sung by 15 great sopranos...and a
   slightly less-famous one.

                                  (84 minutes)

      Twenty songs as sung by the great Enrico Caruso. I think
  you will agree with me that this man has been what many
  have termed a "Vocal God." No words can adequately
  describe the heart and soul that pours from this great tenor.
       I sincerely hope you enjoy this podcast and will comment as you wish.

                                  (72 minutes)
   

A selection of trios from various operas:

William Tell, Norma, Trovatore,Faust,Ernani,
Don Carlo, Gotterdamerung, Beatrice di Tenda,
Cosi Fan Tutte, Tales of Hoffmann, Vespri Siciliani,
 Forza del Destino, I Lombardi ,Rosenkavalier.

   (73 minutes)

Six performances of Romeo et Juliette. Featured in the finale of act two and the act three duet are:

  Jussi Bjoerling/Bidu Sayao, Roberto Alagna/Angela Gheorghiu,
  Marcello Giordani/ Nora Ansellem, Raoul Jobin/Patrice Munsel,
  Ramon Vargas/Anna Maria Martinez, Rolando Villazon/Anna Netrebko

                                   (79 minutes)

Eleven versions of the beautiful "Marietta Lied" from Korngold's
"Die Tote Stadt."  Included are:

Beverly Sills, Maria Jeritza, Stephanie Sundine, Emily Magee,
Marilyn Zschau, Ilona Steingruber, Ellen Faull.Stella Roman,
Angela Denoke, Carol Neblett, and Eileen Farrell.

                                 (63 minutes)

A tribute to the great mezzo Rita Gorr. Selections from:

Orfeo(in photo), Aida, Troyens, Walkure, Tristan und Isolde,
Samson et Delilah, Mahler's Kindertotenlieder.

                                  (77 minutes)

A compilation of 19 renditions of the great aria from
Ponchielli's "La Gioconda." The sopranos  In order) are:

Gilda Cruz-Romo, Anita Cerquetti, Monserrat Caballe,
Elinor Ross, Regine Crespin, Gina Cigna, Celestina Boninsegna
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Emmy Destinn, Eugenia Burzio,
Rosa Ponselle, Lucille Udovick, Eileen Farrell, Birgitte Fassbaender,
Elena Suliotis, Renata Tebaldi, Zinka Milanov, and Maria Callas

                                    (85 mintues)

This is the second podcast devoted to great duets.You will hear 12 duets as sung by some of the most famous artists.There are
both live and commercial recordings in this podcast. Included are:

Beverly Sills/Placido Domingo, Frieda Hempel/Herman Jadlowker,
Jussi Bjoerling/Robert Merrill/, Benita Valente/Tatiana Troyanos,
Giovanni Martinelli/Lawrence Tibbett, Thomas Stewart/Evelyn Lear,
Joyce Di Donato/Patricia Ciofi, Thomas Hampson/Jerry Hadley,
Leontyne Price/Mario Sereni, Renata Scotto/Jose Carreras,
Camilla Williams/Lawrence Winters, Ivan Koslovsky/Pavel Lisitsian

                                       (74 minutes)

A selection of arias as sung by the very artists who created
their roles. Featured are:

Mary Garden (pictured), Rosina Storchio, Cesira Ferrani,
Gemma Bellincioni, Richard Temple,
Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe Anselmi, Medea Mei-Figner,
Giuseppe de Luca, Angelica Pandolfini, Eduardo Garbin,
Victor Maurel, Francesco Tamagno, Fernando de Lucia,
Celestina Boninsegna, and Mario Sammarco

        ( 60 minutes)

   A tribute to the memory of the late Luciano Pavarotti
   who passed away on Sept.5, 2007. Live selections are from:

Traviata,Lombardi,Fedora,Lucia,Rigoletto, Elisir d'Amore,
Fille du Reggiment, Manon, La Favorita, Luisa Miller, and
The Verdi Requiem.Also included is the Tosti "Ideale."

Rest in Peace, Luciano,  one who brought so much to so many!

                                      (71 minutes)

  My birthday tribute to a wonderful tenor, Daniele Barioni,
   born on September 6, 1930. The podcasts includes arias from:

Fedora, L'Arlesiana, Turandot, La Rondine, Macbeth,
Mme.Butterfly, Boheme (Leoncavallo).

                               (31 minutes)

Great singers, mostly from the 40's and 50's,many of whom 
were as "Golden" as those of past generations. Included are:

Pavel Lisitsian (in photo), Joel Berglund, Paul Schoeffler,
Gino Bechi, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ferruccio Tagliavini,
Raoul Jobin, Cloe Elmo, Ebe Stignani, Blanche Thebom,
Erna Berger, Rosetta Pampanini, Dorothy Kirsten,
Joan Hammond, Sena Jurinac, Sarah Scuderi, Dorothy Maynor,
 and the late Rose Bampton.

                                       
         (77 min.)

Here is the second volume of what I term "Golden Age Stars."
There is surely enough wonderful material for literally hundreds
of programs, since the number of recordings is incredible. I present:

Eva Turner (pictured), Hina Spani, Marcella Sembrich, Maria Gay,
Elvira de Hidalgo, Maria Ivogun, Olympia Boronat, Lotte Schoene,
Elizabeth Rethberg, Kathleen Ferrier, Lucrezia Bori, Clara Butt,
Francisco Vinas, Francesco Tamagno, Sergei Lemeshev,
Dmitri Smirnov, Ezio Pinza, Alesander Kipnis, Riccardo Stracciari,
 and Enrico Caruso.               ENJOY!!!!!

                                      (84  minutes)

A comparison of various performances of the finale of Act One
 of Wagner's "Die Walkure." The pairs of lovers are:

Lauritz Melchior and the late Rose Bampton
Ramon Vinay and Regina Resnik
Max Lorenz and Martha Moedl
Rene Maison and Marjorie Lawrence
Placido Domingo and Deborah Polaski
Paul Althouse and the Met debut of Kirsten Flagstad
Set Svanholm and Birgit Nilsson
Rene Verdiere and Germaine Lubin
Lauritz Melchior and Lotte Lehmann
Max Lorenz and Margarete Teschemacher
John Vickers and Leonie Rysanek

                                    (82 minutes)

NOTE:Libsyn was down for 2 days but is working now.

Six versions of the beautiful duet from Zandonai's opera
"Francesca da Rimini," featuring:

Elene Filipova and Frederic Kalt
Magda Olivero and Mario Del Monaco
Leyla Gencer and Renato Cioni
Ilva Ligabue and Ruggero Bondino
Elena Suliotis and Giorgio Merighi
Raina Kabaiwanska and Placido Domingo

                               (85 minutes)

Selections from the "Opera Rara" catalogue. Featured are rarities
of Donizetti including scenes from:

Emilia di Liverpool, Som Sebastien de Portugal, L'Assedio di Calais,
Gabriella di Vergy, Chiara e Serafina, Maria di Rudenz,
Maria Padilla, Rosmonda D'Inghilterra, Ugo,Conte di Parigi,
Alfredo Il Grande, and Zoraida di Granata.

 (79 min.)                                     

Here are 21 great artists of the past,all on commercial recordings. I
sincerely hope you enjoy them and will "turn on" to some of the
less familiar voices:

Emma Calve(pictured), Rosa Ponselle, Mafalda Favero, Tito Schipa,
Beniamino Gigli, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Alfred Piccaver,
Erna Berger, Tiana Lemnitz, Selma Kurz, Gilda Dalla Rizza,
Lauritz Melchior, Bernardo de Muro, Adamo Didur, Lawrence Tibbett,
Titta Ruffo, Heinrich Schlusnus, John McCormack,Emmy Destinn,
Luisa Tetrazzini,Frances Alda.

                                        (79 minutes)

...and a special note of thanks for your wonderful responses to these,my
  "labors of love." Our average audience is now over 900!!!!

   A podcast of 16 Aida act two finales,, featuring some of the greatest
    artists who participated. I hope you enjoy this!!!!

                                  (83 minutes)

   If you can guess the 20 sopranos singing my favorite
   opera aria (No cheating!!), you will be permitted to
    run madly through my apartment with a giant shopping
    cart and grab whatever you wish in one minute!

        I rarely get to play anything anyway so I will
       not mind!          

  (78 minutes)

SO!  HOW DID YOU?  I HOPE YOU WILL ADD
YOUR COMMENTS AND TELL US HOW MANY
YOU GUESSED AND/OR WHICH ONES YOU LIKED MOST. I ASSUME MY COLLECTION
IS SAFE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE NO ONE
HAS WRITTEN ME THAT YOU WILL BE
VISITING ME. (CHEATERS NOT WELCOME)

BY THE WAY...DO YOU WISH A VOLUME TWO??????

 Comparison of various versions of the Jewel Song and the
final trio from Gounod's "Faust

   Photo: Renata Tebaldi as Marguerite

    (75 minutes)

Live highlights from great performances in Vienna in the 1930's and 1940's. Artists include:

Bjoerling, Roswaenge,Mazaroff, Gigli, Jeritza, Lehmann, Nemeth,Schumann, Kipnis, Nikolaidi, Kiepura, Piccaver,
Sved, Runger, Nikolaidi, Voelker

                                   (58 minutes)

There was a glitch in the site and I could not corect my spelling of the word "sorry." I also forgot that Cheryl Studer, not Renee Fleming, is in the Susannah recording.

                                        Sincerely  Charlie

    The memorial tribute to the late Regine Crespin.Selections from:

Parsifal, Aida, Walkure, Troyens, Cavalleria, Dutchman, and
                                 Les Nuits d'ete.

                             (64 minutes)

  In loving memory of the late Beverly Sills, I present a tribute to her magnificent career. Selections are from:

Norma,Aida,Semele,Roberto Devereux,Coq D'Or, Maria Stuarda,
Lucia,Assedio di Corinto,Ballad of Baby Doe, Fille du Reggiment,   
and Louise.

(84 minutes)

ACHTUNG!!!!!!

         If you are faint of heart and/or have digestive problems, I recommend you do NOT listen to these lowlites from a performance of Wagner's Die Walkure from the La Puma Company in the 1960's.

   Cast:   Olive Middleton (Sieglinde), Mario Leone (Wotan),
              Walter Ulrich (Siegmund), Marjorie Brown (Brunh.)
                        Conducted(?) by Ralph Zeitlin

                                   (56 glorious minutes)

 Eight tenors and 72 high C's in Fille du Reggiment aria:

   William Matteuzzi, Jose Sempere, Grayson Hirst,
   Marcelo Alvarez, Roberto Alagna, Alfredo Kraus
   Juan Diego Flores (pictured), Luciano Pavarotti

                            (50 minutes)

   I came across this lovely tenor on the internet. I am sure you
   will absolutely THRILL to the sound of his voice, especially
   the totally unique way in which he produces his top notes.

     I do recognize the aria as "Dein ist mein Ganzes Herz" from
     Lehar's lovely operetta, "The Land of Smiles," but I am
     having a slight problem figuring out  in what LANGUAGE
     this most amazing dude is singing.

       ........and you thought YOU couldn't sing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lend me a WHAT.......????????

A Compilation of interpreters of the role of Azucena in Verdi's "Il Trovatore."  The podcast features:

Bruna Castagna, Ebe Stignani, Irene Minghini-Cattaneo,
Elena Nikolaidi, Regina Resnik, Cloe Elmo, Grace Bumbry,
Irene Kramarich, Dolora Zajick, Elena Obratsova,
Fiorenza Cossotto, Fedora Barbieri, (pictured) Shirley Verrett,
Giulietta Simionato, and finally, the great Sylvia Sawyer.

    Assisting artists include Leonard Warren, Franco Corelli,
    Carlo Bergonzi, Luigi Ottolini, Roberto Alagna,Gino Sarri,
    and Matteo Manuguerra.

                                 (88 minutes)
    

The second podcast dedicated to "chest voice." In order of
broadcast sequence, the artists are:

Olga Borodina, Elena Suliotis, Adriana Guerrini, Renata Tebaldi,
Magda Olivero, Ebe Stignani, Theresa Stich-Randall,Gina Cigna,
Marisa Galvany, Zinka Milanov, Shirley Verrett. Claudia Muzio,
Virginia Zeani, and Olive Middleton.

                                    (78 minutes)

This is volume one of the "chest voice" podcasts. Here I include
such exciting artists (in proper order) as:

Luisa Tetrazzini,Emma Calve, Clara Butt, Conchita Supervia,
Eugenia Burzio, Mafalda Favero, Maria Callas and Fedora Barbieri,
Martha Moedl, Leyla Gencer, Beverly Sills, Regina Resnik,
Oralia Dominguez, Birgite Fassbaender, Rosa Ponselle,
Rita Hunter, and Lina Bruna Rasa.

                                   (74 minutes)

More cabalettas for you, and here, in correct order, are
the artists involved:

Merritt, Gedda, Bonisolli, Araiza, Hadley, G.Raimondi,
Carreras, Martinucci, Bergonzi, Cerquetti, Chiara,  L.Price,
Ricciarelli, Cruz-Romo, Deutekom, Galvany, MacNeil,
Ramey, Verrett.

                                 (72 minutes)

My affectionate tribute to the many fine artists from the
Cetra-Soria label. Included are such artists as:

Caterina Mancini, Rosanna Carteri (in photo), Cesy Broggini,
Giuseppe Taddei, Carlo Tagliabue, Maria Caniglia,
Galliano Masini, Tancredi Pasero, Adriana Guerrini,
Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Carlos Guichandut, Jose Soler, 
Renata Tebaldi, Giulietta Simionato, Mario Filippeschi.
Amedeo Berdini, Gianni Poggi, Giacinto Prandelli

                             (57 minutes)

 Seven versions of the exciting scene in Don Carlo between
 Filippo II and the Grand Inquisitor:

 Ghiaurov/Nesterenko
 Ghiaurov/Talvela
 Hann/Grosmann
 Hines/Wilderman
 Plishka/Hines
 Siepi/Hines
 Rossi-Lemeni/Neri

                                  (73 minutes)

Seventeen baritones sing the Tosca Te Deum:

Merrill, Warren, L.Quilico, Vinay, Gobbi, Bastianini,
Schoeffler, Hann,Tibbett,Stracciari,Granforte,London
Weede, G.Guelfi, MacNeil, Silveri, Taddei

                              (75 minutes)  

A compilation of arias and scenes as sung by famous mezzos
in roles that might be considered "mean." The "meanness"
does vary somewhat from totally horrid (Klytaemnestra) to
more "severity" (Augusta Tabor). Here they are:

Regina Resnik, Hanna Schwarz, Margarete Klose, Ebe Stignani,
Elena Obratsova, Rise Stevens, Fiorenza Cossotto, Frances Bible,
Astrid Varnay.             

NOW, BE NICE!!

(61 mintues)

PLEASE NOTE:

If you see a sick comment from a sick person named Adolf, do not worry.I delete these comments immediately. I must be doing something right!

The second volume of some of my favorite commercial
recordings,featuring:

Eileen Farrell (pictured), Jussi Bjoerling, Robert Merrill,
Lotte Lehmann, Claudia Muzio, Gottlob Frick, Ruby Helder,
Riccardo Stracciari, Christa Ludwig, Walter Berry,
Clara Butt, Enrico Caruso, Janet Baker, Herman Prey

                               (72 minutes)

A Collection of  commercial recordings that are among my
personal favorites. Artists included are:

Sumi Jo (pictured), Zinka Milanov, John McCormack,
Beniamino Gigli, Claudia Novikova, Enrico Caruso,
Janet Baker, Dorothy Kirsten, Robert Merrill, Virginia Zeani,
Luisa Tetrazzini, Giusepe Anselmi, Ebe Stignani,
Cesare Siepi, Eleanor Steber, Pavel Lisitsian,
Mafalda Favero, Vassilka Petrova (I think)

                                     (84 minutes)

A Compilation of 16 Violettas all singing the scene that ends
the Gambling Scene of "La Traviata." Included are:

Callas,Tebaldi, Fleming, Stoyanova, Schymberg, Cotrubas,
Radvanovsky,De Los Angeles, Soviero, Galvany, Scotto,
Carteri, Zeani, Sayao, Guerrini, Albanese

                                 (77 minutes)

The excellent Ponto company has released their 4 CD set of many
interesting excerpts. (Number 50 in their catalogue.).These are live
scenes featuring many fine artists as follows:

Trovatore:  Renata Scotto,Louis Quilico
The Medium:  Regine Crespin
Semele: Beverly Sills
Jenufa: Gre Brouwenstijn and Frans Vroons
Salome: Lili Djanel and Tito Gobbi
Otello: Joan Sutherland and Angelo Marenzi
Manon Lescaut:  Leontyne Price
Eugen Onegin:    Margaret Price
Forza:       Julia Varady
Don Giovanni: Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson (Don't ask!  (74 minutes)

A compilation of 15 tenors singing the famous Boheme aria.
 Included are the following artists:

Giuseppe Anselmi,Georges Thill, Josef Schmidt, Giovanni Malipiero,
Galliano Masini, Jan Kiepura, Richard Tauber, Helge Roswaenge,
Mario Del Monaco, Mario Lanza, Franco Corelli, Alfredo Kraus,
Marcello Giordani, Richard Tucker, and Nicolai Gedda.

                                    (72 minutes)

A selection of Italian songs as sung by five wonderful
tenors: Gigli,Corelli,Tucker, Bergonzi,Caruso.

  I found the error,but rather than redo the narration, here are the selections,not in the correct order, as I could not recover the order,but you can get more information at least:

Gigli:Marechiare, Core'n grato,Sorrento

Corelli:  Addio a Napoli, O paese da sole,I'te vurria vasa

Tucker:  Fenesta che lucive,L'alba separa,Senza nisciuno

Bergonzi: I te vurria vasa,Sorrento, Dicitincello vuie

Caruso:  Pecche, O sole mio, Vieni sul mar, Tu che non chiagne,
Santa Lucia, L'alba separa

 (65 minutes)

             

  For some unknown reason, my narration portion of this
 podcast could not be published, leaving you without the
 answers to the "Esultate Quiz" I had prepared. I suggest
 you might want to play the selections (listed below) for
 a friend, and let him/her guess who is who. I do not know
 why this glitch occured.

          (Maybe you can NOT LOOK BELOW!)

Tamagno, Vickers, McCracken, Ralf, Giacomini,Corelli
Di Stefano (his first and last Otello), Martinelli in 1938,
Martinelli's last Otello in 1948. three by Mario DelMonaco:
Buenos Aires 1950 (his first ever), then 1958 and 1971.
Atlantov, Domingo, Frank Porretta III, Vinay, and finally
John Frederick West.

                                 (35 minutes)

 The remarkable mezzo Ewa Podles in a program of arias and
 songs. Included are five Rachmaninoff songs and arias from
 Rossini's Cenerentola, Tancredi, Maometto II, La Donna del
 Lago, Handel's Orlando and Rinaldo, Tchaikowsly's Maid of
 Orleans, and Gluck's Orfeo et Euridice.

                                   (83 minutes)

An exciting compilation of 12 sopranos singing the Odabella
aria and cabaletta from my personal favorite early Verdi opera,
"Attila."  Included are the following sopranos:

Marisa Galvany, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Julia Varady,
Mara Zampieri, Maria Krikorian, Caterina Mancini,
Tiziana Fabbricini, Rita Orlandi, Linda Strummer,
Antonietta Stella, Marilyn Zschau, and (in photo)
Dimitra Theodossiou.

                                         (83 minutes)

A comparison of some of the great Aida/Amonasro scenes
in live performances.Included are:

Milanov/Warren               Welitsch/Merrill
Callas/Taddei                   Zeani/Guelfi
Scheppan/Hotter               Stella/Guelfi
Rysanek/London              Cerquetti/Guelfi
L.Price/MacNeil                Galvany/Quilico

  Plus,as a bonus, if you can handle it, the same scene
  featuring Vassilka Petrova and Olive Middleton,but
  be sure not to eat before or during this section,
  although you may need a stiff drink.

                               (96 Minutes)

A Comparison of 16 pretty good tenors singing the Flower Song
from Bizet's Carmen. Included are:

Georges Thill, Charles Dalmores, Fernand Ansseau,Raoul Jobin,
Richard Tucker, Nicolai Gedda, Mario Chamlee, Beniamino Gigli,
Jon Vickers, Placido Domingo, Rolando Villazon,Enrico Caruso,
Franco Corelli, Giuseppe di Stefano, Jussi Bjoerling, and
Mario del Monaco (pictured).

                                  (70 minutes)

  An exciting comparison of 10 different tenors in the last scene
  of "I Pagliacci."  Included are:

Richard Tucker, Giovanni Martinelli, Franco Corelli,
Jose Carreras, Helge Roswaenge, Mario del Monaco,
Raoul Jobin, Galliano Masini, Jussi Bjoerling, and
Carlo Bergonzi.

                             (66 minutes)

Opera Scenes and Lieder as sung by  the late Hans Hotter, 
 one of the most famous artists of all time.The opera excerpts are from:

 Elektra, Salome,Siegfried, Parsifal, The Flying Dutchman,  
 Pagliacci, and Don Carlo.
       The songs are by Schubert, Brahms, and Pfitzner

    (67 minutes)

 From a superb 4 CD set on the Preiser Label,  20 famous Wagnerian singers:

Lotte Lehmann, Gertrude Bindernagel, Nanny Larsen-Todsen,
Maria Muller, Maria Reining, Lilly Hafgren, Karin Branzell,
Maria Olszewska,Margarete Arndt-Ober, Hans Hermann Nissen,
Alexander Kipnis, Joel Berglund, Michael Bohnen, Emil Schipper,
Heinrich Schlusnus, Set Savanholm, Gotthelf Pistor, Curt Taucher,
Erik Enderlein, Franz Voelker.

                               (83 minutes)

I think you will enjoy these 17 tenors singing the famous aria
from Gounod's "Faust" and will be able to understand how
various tenors approach the top note, because that alone is quite interesting;of course, you might be hearing some of these artists
for the very first time, and I think you will be pleased.

Richard Tucker, Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli,
Neil Shicoff, Georges Thill,Giuseppe Di Stefano
Rolando Villazon, Nicolai Gedda, Jussi Bjoerling,
David Devries,Miguel Villabella, Lucien Muratore,
Cesar Vezzani, Alfredo Kraus, Gaston Michelettti,
Albert Lance, and Charles Rousseliere

                              (93 minutes)

This podcast features three of the finest mezzos in opera history:

    Kathleen Ferrier       Janet Baker         Stephanie Blythe

                                 (88 minutes)

I had a problem with the narration for this podcast, so you will
have to live without the benefit of my voice for this one. I was
so thrilled at Joyce Di Donatos' fabulous rendition of the final
aria of Cenerentola at her recent recital, that I decided to do
a comparison of several other mezzos in this same scene. They
are as follows in order:

Ceclia Bartoli, Olga Borodina, Ewa Podles, Maria Callas,
Veselina Kasarova, Agnes Baltsa, Marilyn Horne, Conchita
Supervia, and Joyce di Donato. 

     I sincerely hope you enjoy the podcast!

                                   (68 minutes)

Scenes from operas in the "Verismo Style" sung by some of
the great Italian interpreters,including:

Tito Schipa, Aureliano Pertile, Bernardo de Muro,
Beniamino Gigli, Alessandro Valente, Giuseppe Taccani,
Ferrucio Tagliavini, Riccardo Stracciari, Titta Ruffo,
Mafalda Favero, Maria Farneti, Licia Albanese,
Pia Tassinari, Gianna Pederzini, Cloe Elmo

 (73 minutes)

An exciting and emotional scene from Act Three of "Siegfried"
as interpreted by 11 different baritones: (Conductor listed also)

Friedrich Schorr (Heger)            Mikhail Kit (Gergiev)
Albert Dohmen  (Thielemann)    Allan Titus   (Fischer)
George London (Leinsdorf)        Robert Hale  (Sawallisch)
Hans Hotter    (Keilberth)           Ferdinand Frantz (Furtwaengler)
James Morris  (Levine)               Donald McIntyre  (Boulez)
                       Sigurd Bjoerling (Von Karajan)

                                   (56 minutes)

An affectionate tribute to the very great Magda Olivero,who
will celebrate her 97th birthday on March 25. The selections
included in this podcast range from 1940 to 1993!!

Traviata, Tosca, Risurrezione, Adriana Lecouvreur,Fedora
Fanciulla, Gianni Schicchi, Lodoletta, Jenufa, Mme.Butterfly,
La Rondine, Manon, Mefistofele,plus "O del mio amato ben."

                                    (81 minutes)

A comparison of ten fine sopranos singing the Sieglinde
"Hallucination Scene' from Act two of Wagner's "Die Walkure."

Featured are:

             Regine Crespin, Kirsten Flagstad, Julia Varady,
             Leonie Rysanek, Astrid Varnay, Birgit Nilsson,
             Lotte Lehmann, Regina Resnik, Martha Moedl,
             Natalie Secunde.

                                 (75 minutes)

A compilation of material as sung by Leyla Gencer, one of
the most interesting and versatile artists who never recorded
commercially, but since collectors know she is the veritable
"Queen of the Pirates," there is a wealth of material available:

Trovatore, Due Foscari, Assassino nell Catedrale, Saffo,
Gerusalemme, Roberto Devereux, Rigoletto, Belisario,
Battaglia di Legnano, Simon Boccanegra, Rigoletto,
Werther, Macbeth, Idomeneo, Dialogues of the Carmelites,
Abduction from the Seraglio, Lucrezia Borgia

                                   (88 minutes)

Selections that feature eight of the most exciting divas of
the past. Many of them are not as well-known as I believe
they ought to be;nevertheless,their delivery is so emotional,
and their exciting voices will thrill you:

Rosa Raisa (in photo), Iris Adami-Corradetti, Hina Spani,
Eugenia Burzio, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Bianca Scacciati,
Rosetta Pampanini, and Celestina Boninsegna

(66 minutes)

A comparison of famous divas singing the aria "La mamma morta"
from Giordano's "Andrea Chenier."

Antonietta Stella, Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Claudia Muzio,
Meta Seinemeier, Bianca Scacciati, Lina Bruna Rasa, Rose Raisa,
Regina Resnik, Raina Kabaiwanska, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Aprile Millo,
Diana Soviero, and Zinka Milanov

                                (87 minutes)

Nine versions of the Manon St.Sulpice Duet:

 Feraldy/Rogatchewsky               Sills/Gedda
 Gallardo-Domas/Sabbatini          Fleming/Giordani
 Zeani/Oncina                             Freni/Pavarotti
 De Los Angeles/Valletti              Albanese/Di Stefano
     Sayao/Rayner

     (87 minutes)

     I am happy to present highlights from the career of one
     of my all-time favorite artists, Antonietta Stella, who made
     such a great impression on me in her Met seasons. The operas
     represented are:

    Aida, Simon Boccanegra,Attila, Aroldo, Tosca, Don Carlo,
     Il Trovatore, Vespri Sicilani, Andrea Chenier,Luisa Miller
     Gianni Schicchi, Fanciulla del West, Mme.Butterfly

                                 (85 minutes)

   Some of the most amazing singing in this pot-pourri of scenes
   from Bellini's "I Puritani." Artists include:

   Leyla Gencer, Joan Sutherland, Mariella Devia, Beverly Sills,
   Edita Gruberova, Maria Callas, Mirella Freni, Anna Moffo,
   Gianna D'Angelo, Virginia Zeani, Nicolai Gedda, Paul Plishka,
   Louis Quilico, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Luciano Pavarotti,
   Alfredo Kraus, and William Matteuzzi (and his high "F.")

(83 minutes)

An interesting selection of scenes from Wagner operas sung
by Non-German artists in various languages.Included are:

Mario DelMonaco, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Nelly Melba,
Josep Palet, Francisco Vignas, Cesar Vezzani, Paul Franz,
Fernando de Lucia, Giuseppe de Luca, Mattia Battistini,
Germaine Lubin, CloeElmo, Aureliano Pertile, Edward Johnson,
Victoria de Los Angeles, Riccardo Stracciari, Emili Vendrell,
 and Ivan Koslowsky.

                              (85 minutes)

Part two of a tribute to the fine sopranos of today. Included are:

Karita Mattila(in photo), Edita Gruberova, Hei-Kyung Hong,
Krassimira Stoyanova, Olga Guryakova, Anna Netrebko,
Sumi Jo, Deborah Voigt, Rene Fleming, Natalie Dessay,
Angela Gheorghiu, and Rebecca Evans.

                  (60 minutes)

Part One of two in which we honor the wonderful divas of
the present generation. Included here are selections by:

Vivica Genaux, Stephanie Blythe, Elina Garanca, Dolora Zajick,
Maddalena Kozena, Susan Graham, Joyce di Donato, Judith Forst,
Olga Borodina, Vesselina Kasarova, Ewa Podlés (in photo),
Lisa Gasteen, Ruth Ann Swenson, Christina Gallardo-Domas,
and Barbara Bonney

(62 minutes)

For some reason, my first Rigoletto "Si,vendetta" podcast
was flawed, so I am repeating it. We have 11 versions:

Cappuccilli/Bonifaccio      Quilico/Wise      MacNeil/Gencer
Tipton/Koeth                Schlusnus/Berger  MacNeil/Scotto
Campolonghi/Callas       MacNeil/Peters    Warren/Peters
Vargicova/Grundheber           Milnes/Sutherland

              (45 minutes)

 Selections from the Saint-Saens opera "Samson et Delilah
 featuring many fine singers,including:

Ezio Pinza, Robert Merrill, Rise Stevens, Dolora Zajick,
Shirley Verrett, Oralia Dominguez, Rita Gorr, Christa Ludwig,
Ebe Stignani, Giulietta Simionato, Fiorenza Cossotto,
Jose Luccioni, Ramon Vinay, Jon Vickers, Robert Massard,
Rene Maison, and Richard Tucker

                                (70 minutes)

In the Holiday Spirit, a selection of songs featuring some
of the greatest artists in the world of music:

De Los Angeles, Schumann, Muzio, Schumann-Heink,
Onegin,Thill, Schiotz, Tucker, Kussevitsky, Robeson,
Maynor, Weede, D'Arkor, Tauber, Destinn,Gedda, Erb

                          (68 minutes)

An exciting pot-pourri of sopranos of the past. Featured are:

Tetrazzini (in photo), Muzio, Ponselle, Cobelli, Bruna Rasa,
Nordica, Patti, Neshdanova, Kurz, Hempel, Galvany, Jokl,
Poli-Randaccio, Spani, Leider, Ljungberg, Austral, Scuderi,
Arangi-Lombardi, De Hidalgo

                                    (84 minutes)

    Many selections in honor of  Richard Tucker, for me, the
    greatest tenor I ever heard in live performance.

Andrea Chenier, Fanciulla Del West, Forza del Destino
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Ballo in Maschera,
Floridante, La Juive, Turandot, Tosca, Luisa Miller,
Manon Lescaut, Trovatore, and songs.

                              (75 minutes)

Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi, two of the greatest divas
who ever graced an opera stage, singing the same material
as a point of friendly comparison. Selections are from:

La Gioconda, Aida, Louise, Tosca, Mme.Butterfly,
 Tristan und Isolde,  and Andrea Chenier.

                                    (102 minutes)

There have been many great artists who appeared at the
Salzburg Festival in the 30's and 40's, and in other theatres.
Here is a pot-piurri that will present some of them to you.

Tiana Lemnitz,Lotte Lehmann, Maria Reining, Charles Kullmann, Koloman Von Pataky, Sigrid Onegin,Marcel Wittrisch,
Alexander Kipnis, Michael Bohnen, Ludwig Weber,
Selma Kurz, Julius Patzak, Hans Hotter, Dino Borgioli,
Maria Cebotari, Ljuba Welitsch, Set Svanholm, and
Alfred Piccaver.

                              (80 minutes)

Let us give the men a chance! I am so "diva-oriented" I tend
to forget that there is an incredible array of male artists who thrill us. Here are some scenes from Verdi operas featuring:

Richard Tucker, Leonard Warren, Robert Merrill, Jussi Bjoerling,
Samuel Ramey, Thomas Hampson, Cornell MacNeil, Piero Cappuccilli, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Giorgio Tozzi, Ezio Flagello,
Sherrill Milnes, Karl Ridderbusch, Carlo Tagliabue, Galliano Masini,
Mario del Monaco, Helge Roswaenge, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Ettore Bastianini,Jerome Hines

                                    (55 minutes)

  On occasion, even a jaded opera lover like me finds joy
  in discovering a great voice. I find that Signor Giordani
  is one of the great singers in my opera-going experience
  and I am pleased to present live scenes from various operas
  that feature him:

Favorita, Manon, Romeo ,Huguenots, Gioconda, Ballo,
William Tell(with a BIS!!), Adriana Lecouvreur.

                             (85 minutes)

A comparison (quiz) of 13 sopranos singing the heartbeaking
second act scene "Che tua madre" from Puccini's Mme.Butterfly.

                                 (54 minutes)

A comparison of 14 renditions of the trio from act one of
 Bellini's Norma, featuring :

Callas, Sills, Cigna, Milanov, Hunter, Cerquetti, Deutekom,
Galvany,Goerke, Flanigan, Scotto, and Suliotis

                             (60 minutes)

Selections from Charlie's favorite early Verdi opera.

In the Attila compilation, the following artists are featured:

Gilda Cruz-Romo, Mara Zampieri, Caterina Mancini, Rita Orlandi, Lauren Flanigan, Elizabeth Rethberg,Marisa Galvany,Julia Varady,
Antonietta Stella, Igor Gorin, Piero Cappuccilli,Vladimir Chernov,
Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ezio Pinza, Gianfranco Cecchele,Beniamino Gigli,
Enrico di Giuseppe, Francisco Casanova,Sam Ramey (in photo)

                                (77 minutes) 

A pot-pourri of 12 different renditions of the famous
final trio from Strauss' sublime "Der Rosenkavalier."

Selections are announced on the podcast for your edification.

Artists include:  Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Viorica Ursuleac,
 Regine Crespin, Lotte Lehmann, Eleanor Steber,  Helge Dernesch, Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Grummer, Lisa della Casa (in all three roles),
Gundula Janowitz, Elizabeth Soederstrom, Rise Stevens,
Sena Jurinac, Tiana Lemnitz, Susan Graham, Frances Bible,
Jarmila Novotna, Birgitte Fassbaender, Erna Berger, Lucia Popp,
Hilde Gueden, Marita Farell, Judith Raskin, Anne Elgar,
Ileana Cotrubas, Anneliese Rothenberger, and Barbara Bonney

                               (74 minutes)

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This podcast features scenes from Mussorgsky's great work,
     "Boris Godunov." The artists include:

Cesare Siepi, George London, Norman Treigle, Sam Ramey,
Alexander Kipnis, Ludwig Weber, Mark Reizen, Ezio Pinza,
Martha Moedl, Eugenia Zareska, Kerstin Thorborg,
Nicolai Gedda, Leonard Warren, and Benno Kusche

  THEY FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Let me know if the "Una Furtiva" quiz sounds all right. I published it in a different speed,and want to make sure it is still fine as to sound.

                       I missed you...but those things occur!!!!!!!!

                                       My best  Charlie

   A comparison of 12 sopranos singing the great aria,

    "D'amor sull'ali rosee" from Il Trovatore

               (75 minutes)

Another  comparison of the aria "Di quella pira," as a quiz for you to guess at least some of them. The photo is of the great Kurt Baum as Enzo. Dig those legs!

(58 minutes)

Scenes from the magnificent Richard Strauss opera,featuring
Leonie Rysanek, Birgit Nilsson,  Ingrid Bjoener, Sabine Hass,
James King, Irene Dalis, Regina Resnik, Christa Ludwig,
Placido Domingo, Inge Borkh, Hildegard Hillebrecht,
Franz Grundheber, Walter Berry, Hanna Schwarz,
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Eleanor Steber

   (68 minutes)

  A Comparison of 11 sopranos singing "COME SCOGLIO"
from Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte."

I am not listing the names below,since some listeners wish to try to guess them from the podcast.

 (68 minutes)

 An affectionate birthday tribute to Jose Van Dam,
 one of the world's most versatile and truly superb
 artists. Selections include music by:

Verdi, Wagner, Mozart, Mahler, Schumann,
             Bizet, Ibert, R.Strauss  

(74 minutes)

 Janet Baker,one of the world's greatest artists, was
 born on August 21, 1933. I present a tribute to her
 featuring songs and arias by Handel, Mozart, Pergolesi,
 Schubert, Donizetti, Wagner, and Elgar.

(43 minutes)

BY THE WAY; PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT ON YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61qq0V73ehQ                            

A Collection of famous German (and Viennese) artists:

Julius Patzak, Leo Slezak, Franz Voelker,Margarete Klose,
Maria Olszewska, Karen Branzell, Wilhelm Rode,
Emil Scipper, Hans Hotter, Heinrich Schlusnus,
Michael Bohnen, Georg Hann, Hilde Gueden,
Frida Leider, Erna Berger, Tiana Lemnitz,
Maria Cebotari.

(78 minutes)

A comparison, in the form of a quiz, of 15 tenors singing
the aria "Amor ti vieta" from Umberto Giordano's "Fedora."

You might enjoy using this podcast for an opera party in
order to test your fellow opera buddies!

       (44 minutes)

A Birthday Tribute to Six Famous Tenors    

Leon Escalais     8/8/1859
Cesare Vezzani   8/8/1886
Ferruccio Tagliavini   8/14/13
Leo Slezak           8/18/1873
Helge Roswaenge  8/29/1897
Ramon Vinay        8/31/1911

(57 Minutes)

Selections from operas where a doctor (or a so-called doctor) 
is involved in the action. Operas include:

Elisir d"amore, Macbeth, Forza del Destino, Traviata
Don Pasquale, Barbiere di Siviglia, Gianni Schicchi,
Cosi Fan Tutte, Wozzeck Nozze di Figaro, Vanessa
Tales of Hoffmann. 

(64 minutes)

Giacomo Puccini was a composer whose operas tugged at our heartstrings. There are so many emotional moments in his works,and here I include one scene from each of his operas,featuring:

Renata Scotto(in photo), Diana Soviero, Renata Tebaldi,
Virginia Zeani, Julia Varady, Krassimira Stoyanova,
Beverly Sills, Christina Gallardo-Domas, Magda Olivero,
Leontyne Price, Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Tucker,
Placido Domingo, Jerry Hadley, and Giovanni Inghilleri

(72 minutes)

A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO THREE  MARVELOUS ARTISTS:

Maria Reining                  Born 8/7/03

Gundula Janowitz            Born 8/2/37

Margarete Klose (photo)   Born 8/7/1899

                           (43 minutes)

Some of the most affecting scenes from various operas:

Walkure, Siegfried, Peter Grimes, Nozze di Figaro,
Saint of Bleecker Street, Elektra, Rosenkavalier,
Die Frau Ohne Schatten, Ariadne, Arabella,
Parsifal, and Porgy and Bess

(69 minutes)

Birthday tributes to four wonderful artists:

Apollo Granforte         7/29/1886

Ludwig Weber  (in photo)    7/29/1899

Gottlob Frick               7/28/06

Olga Borodina              7/29/63

                               (68 minutes)

A birthday tribute to the very great tenor, Mario del Monaco.
Included are selections from:

Aida, Carmen, Ernani, Andrea Chenier, Otello, Pagliacci,
Fanciulla, Turandot, Il Tabarro, Macbeth.

                                 (62 minutes)

A tribute to the magnificent Regine Crespin, one of the
finest divas in opera history. Selections from:

Walkure, Aida, Hoffmann, Dutchman, Troyens,
Carmen, Tosca, and several songs 

(75 minutes)

FIFTEEN DIVAS:

Eugenia Burzio, Olympia Boronat, Maria Nemeth,
Dusolina Giannini, Germaine Martinelli, Rosetta Pampanini
Margarete Teschemacher, Gertrude Grob-Prandl,
Claudia Novikova, Rosanna Carteri, Ellen Faull,
Luisa Maragliano, Lois Marshall, Irene Jordan,
and Rebecca Evans

                           (57 minutes)