Program List
Sep 10, 2010
Alban Berg: Wozzeck
Bolshoi Theater, Moscow
Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, Bolshoi Opera Chorus
Teodore Currentzis, conductor
Georg Nigl Wozzeck
Mardi Byers Marie
Maxim Paster Captain
Pyotr Migunov Doctor
Fredrik Akselberg Andres
Roman Muravitsky Drum Major
Xenia Vyaznikova Margret
Valery Gilmanov First Apprentice
Nikolai Kazanksy Second Apprentice
Leonic Vilensky The Idiot
One of the truly great operas of the 20th century, Berg's masterpiece has deep roots in age-old forms and traditions, yet still explores the limits of both musical and emotional expression. The production from the historic Boshoi in Moscow features a stunning performance by baritone Georg Nigl, in one of opera's most challenging and deeply moving roles.
Sep 17, 2010
Charles Gounod: Faust
Opera Carolina
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina Chorus
James Meena, conductor
Maureen O'Flynn Marguerite
James Valenti Faust
Chester Patton Mephistopheles
Corey McKern Valentin
Diane McEwen-Martin Siebel
Jeremy Collier Wagner
Kim Blanchard Marthe
This lush drama by Gounod is surely the most popular musical representation of the immortal story of Faust, who confronts the hellish consequences of his own weakness when the devil makes him an offer he can't refuse - but probably should have. Opera Carolina brings it to us in a production featuring a top-notch cast from the Belk Theatre in Charlotte.
 |
Lisa Simeone
Photo Credit: Debbie Accame |
World of OperaSaturday 7pm
World of Opera with host Lisa Simeone brings listeners compelling performances from top American and international opera companies.
World of Opera encompasses the seminal operas of the 17th century; the comic, political and social satires of the 18th century; the "bel canto" masterpieces of Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini; the revolutionary 19th-century works of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner; and, of course, operas in the "true-to-life" verismo style of Puccini and Mascagni.
World of Opera goes beyond the traditional, operatic vernacular to showcase opera as anything but an elitist form of art. As the series reveals, opera has been to past centuries what the cinema is to us today: a star-studded, multi-faceted, multi-media form of entertainment, and one that people return to over and over again. In fact, opera is as popular today as it ever has been.
URL: http://www.npr.org/worldofopera
