Opera For Everyone

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.

On this episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to the Opera Otello by Guiseppe Verdi, and also continue our conversation with dramatic baritone Lester Lynch, who plays Iago in this production. Otello is an opera in four acts to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito. The opera is based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan in 1887. It follows the story of Otello, a moor commanding a military unit in Cyprus, his wife Desdemona, and several of his officers. Iago, an ensign, is jealous of his colleague Cassio who has been promoted to captain by Otello. Iago plots to make Otello suspicious that his wife is in love with Cassio and has been unfaithful. In the end, Otello kills Desdemona and then himself. Iago is unrepentant.

On this episode of Opera for Everyone, we welcome special guest Lester Lynch, who is a baritone opera singer performing with some of the world's leading operas. He discusses his album "On My Journey Now" a collection of spirituals and hymns, as well as his experience as an African-American vocalist and musician. This episode is in honor of the life, work and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Mozart & Salieri is an opera in one act by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov set to a Russian libretto taken almost verbatim from a novella of the same name by Alexandr Pushkin. It's based on the oft-disputed legend that Salieri poisoned Mozart out of jealousy for his genius. The novel occurs in a single afternoon and evening with Mozart dropping by Salieri's apartment in Vienna to play his nearly-completed "Requiem." The two go together to an inn for dinner where Salieri poisons Mozart.

Delve into the enchanting world of Massenet's 'Manon,' where beauty and vanity drive a spirited maid on an adventurous journey. Explore the tumultuous romance between Manon and Des Grieux, battling societal pressures and familial expectations. The hosts unravel the emotional tension in a vibrant Paris, as love clashes with class struggles. Expect witty banter and reflections on betrayal, jealousy, and the heart-wrenching climax of lost dreams. This rich narrative intertwines whimsy and tragedy, making for a compelling discussion on opera's timeless themes.

On today's episode of Opera for Everyone we listen to The Magic Flute, also known as Die Zauberflöte, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It's an opera in two acts, first performed in Vienna in 1791. In this opera the Queen of the Night persuades Prince Tamino to rescue her daughter Pamina from captivity in the Temple of Wisdom under the high priest Sarastro. Tamino is accompanied on his quest to the Temple of Wisdom by the earthy Papageno, a bird-catcher, who is also looking for true love. Together they learn the high ideals of Sarastro's community and seek to join it. Separately, then together, Tamino and Pamina undergo severe trials of initiation, which end in triumph, and with the Queen and her cohorts vanquished. Papageno fails the trials completely but is nevertheless rewarded with the hand of his ideal female companion, Papagena. Image courtesy of Texas A&M University- Commerce Marketing Communications Photography