Opera For Everyone

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.

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.

Richard Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos blends mythology and culture, combining serious opera with comedic entertainment. The podcast explores the challenges of producing both opera and comedy, the debate between high art and low art, and the empowering song that lifts Ariadne's spirits. It provides an introduction to the opera, discusses the plot and characters, and reflects on the exhaustion of meeting perceived expectations.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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