Ö1 Radio: Broadcasts of Mozart Past – Mitridate, Re di Ponto (1997)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

Mitridate, Re di Ponto

Bruce Ford (Mitridate)

Cyndia Sieden (Aspasia)

Christiane Oelze (Sifare)

Vesselina Kasarova (Farnace)

Heidi Grant Murphy (Ismene)

Toby Spence (Marzio)

Larissa Rudakova (Arbate)

Camerata Salzburg

Sir Roger Norrington

Live recording from the 

1997 Salzburger Mozartwoche 

on Ö1 Radio now!

Just Another Manic Mozart (Sesto as Vitellia Part 2: Joyce DiDonato)

Sestos who would be awesome Vitellias. 

Well, last week we heard Vesselina Kasarova, and this week, we have Joyce DiDonato from the Met Orchestra concert last fall with James Levine. She really sounds like she's going mad, and not just angry that her plan didn’t work. 

I've a feeling JDD'd present a very human character—a Vitellia you'd actually feel sorry for by the end of the opera. It can't be an easy role to play (and I don't mean just vocally.) It seems hard to present Vitellia as anything other than a cold-hearted b...ahem, princess who’s totally bent on revenge; but somehow, I think JDD could do it. (Special thanks to the intrepid fan who captured this performance!)

Schumann Faust Scenes on Ö1 Radio (Röschmann, Gerhaher, Pisaroni)

Christian Gerhaher and Daniel Harding

Broadcast last night on Ö1 Radio, this will be in the 7 Tage Ö1  archive for about six more days. 

Robert Schumann: 

Szenen aus Goethe's Faust

Part 1

Ouvertüre
Nr.1 Szene im Garten
Nr.2 Gretchen vor dem Bild der Mater dolorosa
Nr.3 Szene im Dom

Part 2

Nr.4 Sonnenaufgang
Nr.5 Mitternacht
Nr.6 Fausts Tod

Dorothea Röschmann (Gretchen)
Anna Prohaska (Marthe; Sorge; Soprano Soli)
Andrew Staples (Ariel; Tenor Soli)
Christian Gerhaher (Faust)
Luca Pisaroni (Mephisto)
Elisabeth von Magnus (Mangel; Mezzosopran Soli)
Wiebke Lehmkuhl (Schuld; Alt Soli)
Franz-Josef Selig (Bass Soli)

Rundfunkchor Berlin
Knaben des Staats- und Domchors Berlin
Berliner Philharmoniker
Leitung: Daniel Harding

As Seen On Facebook – Matthias Goerne Steps in for Thomas Hampson

Thomas Hampson

I am very disappointed to have to cancel tonight’s performance of Wozzeck at the Met due to bronchitis. I hope to be better soon and look forward to singing this challenging genius opera. What great luck that my friend and colleague Matthias Goerne is in town and is willing to add tonight’s performance to his busy schedule. Wishing my wonderful colleagues, Maestro Levine, and the whole Wozzeck team and of course the audience a thrilling opening night. I will miss being there, be sure.

I feel sorry for Mr. Hampson. I know from personal experience that having bronchitis is no fun. And I'm very certain (though I do not have personal experience in this regard) that missing one's role debut as Wozzeck at the Met is extraordinarily disappointing. Best wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery, Mr. Hampson! 

I am sure Thomas Hampson fans holding tickets for tonight's performance were rather disappointed, too. But hopefully they were able to get over it and revel in the opportunity to hear the man who stepped in at very short notice.

It just so happens Matthias Goerne is in New York this week. Last night he sang Die Schöne Müllerin at Carnegie Hall, and last week he sang...you guessed it: Wozzeck...in concert with the Wiener Staatsoper. Herr Goerne is only just an Awesome Wozzeck (and an awesome just about anything he sings!)

It was live streamed on from the Met's website. I got to hear part of it. (in between wi-fi dropouts! Argh!!!) With James Levine conducting and Deborah Voigt, Matthias Goerne, and other fine singers singing, this work sounded lush and nearly romantic! It was an extraordinary performance!

I am so glad I just happened to check my Facebook feed at dinner time tonight!

As seen today on metoperafamily.org (who are very good about keeping their website up to date. He only said yes at around 2:00 PM today!): 

Goerne Steps in as Wozzeck

Matthias Goerne will be singing the title role in tonight's performance of Berg's Wozzeck, replacing Thomas Hampson, who is ill. Deborah Voigt stars as Marie, and Music Director James Levine conducts.

Jonas Kaufmann Speaks about Werther

Jonas Kaufmann recently spoke to Opera Online about performing the role of Werther. JK is always so thoughtful and articulate—as much a joy when speaking as he is when singing. And here is that conversation.