Winter 2024-25
December 2024
December 5
Rossini: La Cenerentola – Cinderella
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Carlo Rizzi, Conductor
Larmore, Gimenez, Rizzi, Quilico, Scarabelli, Polverelli
A timely and universal tale about the young Cinderella (Larmore) trying to find her true love. Rossini‘s setting of the story is filled with jaunty, lyrical and challenging music. With a few exceptions, mezzo sopranos are usually cast in pants roles or some type of secondary role, but Rossini chose this voice type to shine brightly and beautifully. It might have the most joyous ending in all operatic repertoire.
December 12
Puccini: La Bohème
The Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor
Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov
First performed on February 1, 1896, Puccini’s romantic opera is one of the best known in the repertoire. The story follows Bohemian writer Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi’s whirlwind romance, as both struggle with life as impoverished Parisians. This verismo style opera (vera meaning true) depicts ordinary characters and everyday emotions of the time.
Archival broadcast by the late Al Ruocchio
December 19
Opera Stars Sing Songs of the Season
An updated compilation of holiday favorites, made especially for you by your host, Dr. Jay Pierson. Includes performances by Damrau, Norman, Domingo, Carreras, and many others. A true delight!
December 26
A Holiday Double Bill
Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel
Vienna State Opera / Vienna Philharmonic
Andre Cluytens, Conductor
Humperdinck’s beautiful orchestration accompanies this well-known fairytale. It is filled with luscious melodies, folk music, and dances.
Menotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors
The Royal Opera House Covent Garden
David Syrus, Conductor
Amahl and the Night Visitors, written by American composer Gian-Carlo Menotti, tells the story of the Magi stopping for a rest at the home of Amahl and his mother. It is there they all witness a Christmas miracle.
January 2025
January 2
Verdi: Falstaff
Vienna State Opera Chorus / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor
Falstaff was Verdi’s second comic opera and his third work based on a Shakespeare play, following Macbeth and Otello. The plot revolves around the thwarted, sometimes farcical, efforts of the obese knight Sir John Falstaff while he tries to seduce two married women so that he may gain access to their families’ wealth!
January 9
Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro
BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
Figaro (Ganzarolli) and Susanna (Freni) plan to get married, but are thwarted by the lecherous intentions of Count Almaviva (Wixell). Disguises and plots lead to a happy ending.
January 16
Gounod: Mireille
Chorus de la Capitole de Toulouse / L’Orchestre de la Capitole de Toulouse
Michel Plasson, Conductor
A naïve young woman, Mireille, falls in love with Vincent, whom her family thinks is below her. Gounod’s intricate and lyrical melodies have a Mediterranean flavor, which inspired the musical style of George Bizet’s opera Carmen.
Archival broadcast by the late Al Ruocchio
January 23
Handel: Rodelinda
Welsh National Opera Orchestra
Richard Bonynge, Conductor
Rodelinda is stricken with grief, believing that her husband, Bertirino, is dead, but is he? Several suitors try to steal her heart, yet she remains faithful to her husband’s memory. All’s well that ends well and her husband returns, making a joyous ending to this masterpiece.
January 30
Wagner: Parsifal
Berlin Philharmonic
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor
Knights of the Holy Grail, a sorcerer, an ageless mysterious woman, magical gardens that appear and disappear, and the innocence of a youth named Parsifal. All parts of a dramatic and compelling story that was Wagner’s last work.
February 2025
February 6
Joplin: Treemonisha
The Houston Grand Opera Production
Gunther Schuller, Conductor
Treemonisha, written by American composer Scott Joplin, is a celebration of African American music. It was composed in 1911 and won the Pulitzer Prize for music posthumously in 1976. It is filled with spirited dances, spirituals, and some blues.
February 13
Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)
Rundfunkchor Leipzig / Staatskapelle Dresden
Karl Böhm, Conductor
Often referred to as Mozart’s fifth most popular opera, Die Entführung aus dem Serail is a great comical romp with delightful and virtuosic music. Kostanze (Auger) and her English maid, Blonde (Grist) are being held captive in a harem. Their lovers try to rescue them using silly and outlandish antics. Osmin’s (Moll) third act aria is the most impressive aria for bass in all of Mozart’s operas.
February 19
Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers)
Choeurs et Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse
Michel Plasson, Conductor
Georges Bizet burst onto the colorful Parisian operatic scene with Les Pêcheurs de Perles in 1863, just a few months shy of his 25th birthday. It contains the most beautiful tenor and baritone duet in all the operatic repertoire. In the last act two lovers are scheduled to be executed. How do they escape their plight?
Archival broadcast by the late Al Ruocchio
February 26
Moore: The Ballad of Baby Doe
The New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Emerson Buckley, Conductor
A truly American opera, based on a true story and set in Leadville, Colorado. The young Elizabeth (Baby) Doe has left her husband and moves to Leadville. She meets and falls in love with Horace Tabor, a politician and investor in silver. However, Horace Tabor is married to Augusta Tabor. It is quite the scandal for the day. Moores’ musical style is reminiscent of Puccini,…with an American twist.
