Opera is Not Necessarily for Everyone, but Everyone Should have Access

It occurred to me that some people read my Monday notice about Thomas Hampson’s interview, but did not actually listen to the podcast. It’s an interesting discussion and well worth the 23 or so minutes. 

I’ve not listened to BBC Radio 3’s Hardtalk programme before, so I don’t know if the host is always so confrontational, but I found the second time I listened, the discussion made me feel very tense. The host tends to talk over Mr. Hampson (a really crappy interview technique), and is almost hostile towards him. She is the kind of interviewer who takes everything her subject says, and picks it apart and tries to turn it back on the interviewee, challenging him to contradict himself. But Mr. Hampson is not easily cowed.

He does not really say opera is for everybody, but he feels everyone should have an opportunity to be exposed to opera.  He doesn’t disagree completely with the opera snobs. It is good to know as much about the opera as possible—singers, directors, conductors, and audience alike.

Jonas Kaufmann – Video Preview of "The Verdi Album"

Here is the new promotional video for Herr Kaufmann's forthcoming Verdi Album (mid-September in the U.S.). It's always a joy to watch him at work, and to hear him talk about singing and about the music,  

Also, over at his official website there is a great video about his recital activities, including excerpts from several lieder and chansons. (I am not sure how new it is, but it's new to me, at least!) 

Tiny Tidbits of Troubling Tannhäuser – News Clips of the Cancelled Opera

Finally! A glimpse of the terrifying, troubling Tannhäuser from Dusseldorf; unfortunately these are really, really brief TV-news items (less than a minute each.) Still, it's better than nothing! At least we get to see a tiny bit of what was so shocking to the Germans. But I still think it's wrong to condemn it before seeing a bit more of the production!

Hampson on Hardtalk – Opera May be Expensive, but it’s not Elitist

Thomas Hampson is one of our best ambassador/advocates for opera for  and to the people. He is down to earth, well-spoken, accessible, and of course, one of our many favorite baritiones! Here is a interview aired today on BBC 3 Radio on the program Hardtalk, a chat program of  interviews with the world's leading politicians, thinkers and cultural figures. Here is the intro to the chat: 

"Opera is one of the least watched art forms in the world, and possibly the most expensive. Hardtalk speaks to opera superstar Thomas Hampson. He says the way to get people to love opera is to get them to understand it, and then it has the power to transform. If he is right, could one of the most elite and expensive art forms have worldwide appeal?" 

Listen to it on iPlayer for 7 more days and/or listen and/or download it as a podcast.

Just Another Manic Monday Mozart – Anja Harteros is Elettra

Since the Earworm commented specifically on Anja Harteros on my post yesterday about this Idomeneo, I decided to see if Harteros' version of Ekettra's final aria was online. Her Elettra is not just lovelorn, frustrated, or merely p-ssed off—she has literally gone mad. 

This Elettra is not singing about metaphorical snakes and serpents tearing at her. They’re not really there; but she sees them! And when she calls for a sword, Neptune conveniently wanders by to hand her a dagger. I also love the way that Frau Harteros, during the (tumultuous) applause, keeps the insanity flowing. The translation below is by Opera Cat (whose blog, sadly, has not been updated in quite a while.)