Opera on WRTI

Leonore is willing to do whatever it takes to free her husband, Florestan, an innocent political prisoner. Disguised as a boy (Fidelio), she bravely prevents Florestan's assassination by a corrupt governor. Beethoven's only opera is a musically brilliant story of a wife's selfless and courageous love. Listen on Saturday, November 3, 1 to 3:30 pm.

Ludwig van Beethoven: FIDELIO
Libretto by Joseph Sonnleithner. Sung in German

CAST:
Florestan: Simon O'Neill
Leonore/Fidelio: Karita Mattila

Opera's notorious barber schemes to help the beautiful, young Rosina escape the clutches of her elderly guardian and find true love. Rossini's score is punctuated with brilliant ensembles and some of opera's most familiar arias, including the famous "Largo al factotum," otherwise known as "Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!" Join us on Saturday, October 27th, 1 to 3:30 pm.

The ruler of the Huns fully intends to invade fifth-century Italy until a fierce female captive enchants him with her valiant defiance. In the popular imagination, Attila the Hun was a ruthless barbarian. But to Giuseppe Verdi, he was a far more complex and compelling figure: a brave, ambitious warrior tormented by fierce internal doubts. The intense, conflicted anti-hero comes vividly alive in this “vibrant and engrossing musical drama” (The New York Times).

John Adams' rhythmically rich re-creation of a presidential trip to Beijing has established itself as a great American opera, a work of “clarity, simplicity, shocking elegance” that “will be around for the long haul” (The New York Times). A quarter-century after premiering at Houston Grand Opera under the leadership of David Gockley, this modern masterpiece made its San Francisco Opera premiere earlier this year featuring baritone Brian Mulligan. Lawrence Renes, whose conducting of Adams’ Doctor Atomic won praise from London critics, leads the orchestra.

Join us to hear a very special 1946 recording of Giuseppe Verdi's LA TRAVIATA conducted by the legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini. Pledge at the $365 level on September 29th and we'll thank you with Arturo Toscanini: The Complete RCA Collection, with 84 CDs and 1 DVD. Of course the set includes this 1946 recording! Saturday, September 29th at 1 pm.

Renée Fleming sings the title role of this melodically rich bel canto masterpiece. A femme fatale, renowned for her ruthless pursuit of power, reveals poignant vulnerability when she comes face to face with her long-lost son. Saturday, September 22, 1 to 3:15 pm

It may have been Faust who sold his soul to the devil, but the innocent Marguerite takes the fall in this classic story that dates back to the 1400s; the opera premiered in Paris in 1859. Patricia Racette, Stefano Secco, and John Relyea star in this 2010 production conducted by Maurizio Benini. Saturday, September 15th, 1 to 4 pm.

Synopsis

Rick Rescorla was a British-born adventurer who fought in Vietnam before settling in NY as head of security for Morgan Stanley in the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, his extraordinary courage and calmness in a crisis paid off: Rescorla led all of the 2,700 people under his care to safety—literally singing them down the stairs—before heading back into the burning building for one last check. He never emerged.