Evening at the Opera, Tuesdays at 8:00 pM

April 1

Peter Shimkin: The Marriage of Figaro (Moazrt). Peter tells us “although the plot does include several tricks and the music is a treat throughout, no reason is ever necessary to listen to this masterpiece. We will hear a classic recording conducted by George Solit with Kiri Te Kanawa as the Countess.”

April 8

Mel Siegel, live: Frida Leider. Mel tells us that “Leider was one of the small number of truly great Wagnerian dramatic sopranos. Lauritz Melchior considered her to be the greatest Isolde he ever sang with. She was also one of the greats in the dramatic roles of Verdi as well as an outstanding Mozart singer. As her career was coming to a close, just as Kirsten Flagstad became famous after 1935 and later with the arrival of Birgit Nilsson, she has been overlooked today. If you're not familiar with her you should certainly listen to this program.”

April 15

Peter Shimkin: Two Ukrainian Nationalistic Operas. Peter tells us “both works and their composers are unknown to Western listeners, but their late Romantic music, circa 1890 and based on folk music, is easy to take. Explore these fine examples of a long-repressed national culture.”

April 22

Mel Siegel: Gertrude Grob-Prandl

April 29

Barry Gold continues his series “Voices without Borders.” Tonight his theme is “Five Bassos,” celebrating five operatic basses of international acclaim. We will hear performances from America, France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Germany.