Opera For Everyone

Ep. 38 Il Trittico By Puccini

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

Ep. 37 Madama Butterfly By Puccini

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

Ep. 36 Rigoletto By Verdi

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

Ep. 35 Il Trovatore, by Verdi

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

Ep. 34 Ariadne auf Naxos, by Richard Strauss

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

Ep. 33 Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart

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

Ep. 32 Idomeneo By Mozart

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

Ep. 31 Semiramide by Rossini

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

Ep. 30 Tamerlano by Handel

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

Ep. 29 LaBoheme by Puccini

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