Virgil’s Aeneid, perhaps the most famous adaptation of a Greek myth, tells the story of the Trojan war and later Aeneas’s journey to Carthage. The appropriately epic nature of this poem beginning with Troy’s destruction and ending tragically with Dido's suicide has been adapted in a myriad of ways by opera composers. In this podcast episode, join Guild lecturer Matthew Timmerman in the third part of our series Opera and Greek Drama
In this podcast episode, join Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans as he chronologically traces how Greek myths have been adapted by putting them in their historical context, and by comparing and contrasting performances.
Published histories of opera differ in a myriad of ways, but one thing that they all agree upon is that opera was born out of Greek drama. On this episode of the Met Opera Guild Podcast, we have the first part from our Opera Boot Camp, Opera and Greek Drama, which took place as a live course earlier this spring. Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans explores stereotypes of Greek drama found in examples including the vengeful Medea, Wagner’s unavoidable legacy, and finally a twist in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos.
We have reached podcast episode #200! In today’s episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, lecturer Dr. Mark Pottinger leads us through the second part of his Study Day all about Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and the fascinating history of madness in opera.
On today’s episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, lecturer Dr. Mark Pottinger uses Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor as a jumping-off point to take a deeper look at madness, murder, and the supernatural.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one of the most influential and important works of literature and has inspired ballets, orchestral works, choral works, and more than one opera. On today’s episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, lecturer Michael Bolton tackles the significant history of this masterwork and the Met’s inspiring new production of this brand new opera by composer Brett Dean.
From the vocal fireworks featured in the famous “mad scene” to the popularized sextet Lucia continues to fascinate audiences today. Many sopranos have taken the role, including, Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Renata Scotto, Lisette Oropesa and the current Lucia, Nadine Sierra. On today’s episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have lecturer Tanisha Mitchell discussing the inner workings of this operatic staple.
For the first time in the company’s history, the Metropolitan Opera is presenting Verdi’s tragic opera Don Carlos in its original five act French version. Set during the period of the tumultuous Spanish Inquisition, this opera boasts a super star cast including Matthew Polenzani, Sonya Yoncheva, Jamie Barton, and Eric Owens. Join lecturer John J.H. Muller as he explores the music and history of this French Grand Opera.
Of Strauss' many operatic, symphonic, and vocal compositions, his opera Ariadne auf Naxos has remained a staple of the operatic repertoire for decades. Considered by many to be his master work, it’s intricate play-within-a-play structure tackles the ideas of the power of art, music, and mythology. Join lecturer Phillip Gainsley as he explores the history and music of this difficult work
Rigoletto was based on Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi s’amuse, literally, “the king enjoys himself.” However, since opera houses were under strict control of government censors, it was too controversial for a king to be portrayed as a serial seducer. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have a historic recording from our Talking About Opera archives featuring Guild Lecturer Bridget Paloucci.