Opera Lovers of Rhode Island: 2016

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Week of December 29, 2016 - January 5, 2017

GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET

Roberto Devereux

Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux," in which Elizabeth I (Sondra Radvanovsky) signs the death warrant for the nobleman (Matthew Polenzani) she loves when he's accused of treason, not because he's guilty but because of spite--he loves another. Also starring baritone Mariusz Kwiecien'.

Synopsis: http://www.metopera.org/Discover/Synopses/Roberto-Devereux/

Length: 180 minutes

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WQXR

Silent Nights, Noisy Nights

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

By Fred Plotkin

Blogger Fred Plotkin writes about the dangerous levels of noise that we experience every day and how we should protect our hearing.

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/silent-nights-noisy-nights-protect-hearing/

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A Changing of the Guard at the Vienna State Opera

Thursday, December 22, 2016 - 01:05 PM

By Fred Plotkin

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/changing-guard-vienna-state-opera/

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News from Around the World of Music

In Memorium 2016: Remembering the Major Opera Singers That Passed This Year

http://operawire.com/in-memorium-2016-remembering-the-major-opera-singers-that-passed-this-year/

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Russian plane crash: The victims

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38441939

http://www.11alive.com/entertainment/famed-red-army-choir-died-in-russian-plane-crash/379326891

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OPERA ON THE INTERNET

WITH

DAVE D' AGUANNO

To wind up the year 2016 and to usher in the New Year, the Met has 3 broadcasts lined up for our listening enjoyment. First off, instead of a LIVE matinee broadcast on Saturday (January 31), the Met is offering the October 4, 2016 performance of Rossini's "L'Italiana in Algeri" with bass Ildar Abdrazakov as Mustafa. Later on Saturday, at 6:25 pm, the free LIVE audio-stream is of Gounod's "Romeo & Juliette" with tenor Vittorio Grigolo and soprano Diana Damrau as the star-crossed lovers. Then on Tuesday (January 3), it's Verdi's "Nabucco" (starring Placido Domingo) as a free LIVE audio-stream. Both the Gounod & the Verdi works are scheduled for HD-transmissions next month, "Nabucco" on January 7 and "Romeo & Juliette" on January 21, with basically the same casts that are featured in the upcoming broadcasts.

(www.metopera.org/)

Also on Saturday, Radio 3 (RAI) is broadcasting the July 29, 2016 performance of Verdi's "Falstaff" from last summer's Verbier Opera Festival.

(www.radio3.rai.it/)

Another comedy by an Italian opera composer -- Donizetti's "Daughter of the Regiment" -- appears on the schedule of Swedish Radio. It's the March 18, 2016 performance of the work as heard in Lausanne.

(http://sverigesradio.se/p2/)

Fans of 20th century opera need not despair, as BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting a recent performance from London's Royal Opera House of Shostakovich's "The Nose." Plus, if you'd prefer to WATCH it instead, you can check out the YouTube link below which has the opera, complete with English subtitles.

(audio only: www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/)

(video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoC21I9YDz8)

Enjoy! -- Happy New Year!

DAVE

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The Met Saturday afternoon
radio broadcast

1 PM

L’Italiana in Algeri

ROSSINI

Levine; Pizzolato, Barbera, Alaimo, Abdrazakov

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Opera Now

The most influential opera magazine in the world

http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/rhinegold-publishing/magazines/opera-now/

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NO OPERA ON

WGBH THIS WEEK!

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont)

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Week of December 22 - December 29, 2016

GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET

Madama Butterfly

The title character of Madama Butterfly—a young Japanese geisha who clings to the belief that her arrangement with a visiting American naval officer is a loving and permanent marriage—is one of the defining roles in opera. Anthony Minghella's breathtaking production has thrilled audiences ever since its premiere in 2006. Kristine Opolais reprises her acclaimed portrayal of the title role, opposite Roberto Alagna as Pinkerton, the naval officer who breaks Butterfly's heart. Ana María Martínez, Latonia Moore, Roberto De Biasio, and Gwyn Hughes Jones star in a second set of performances. Karel Mark Chichon conducts.

Synopsis: http://www.metopera.org/Discover/Synopses/Madama-Butterfly/

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WQXR

Fred Plotkin

The Fourth Annual Excellence in Opera (aka The Freddie) Awards

Monday, December 19, 2016

By Fred Plotkin

Blogger Fred Plotkin honors and acknowledges many of the outstanding and memorable achievements in opera in 2016.

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/fourth-annual-excellence-opera-freddie-awards/

Gigliola Frazzoni at Giacomo Puccini's piano.

Italian Lessons in Bologna with Gigliola Frazzoni

Friday, December 16, 2016

By Fred Plotkin

Fred Plotkin remembers his teacher, mentor and friend, Gigliola Frazzoni, the Italian opera singer who taught him about opera and Italian in Bologna.

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/italian-lessons-bologna-gigliola-frazzoni/

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News from Around the World of Music

Dmitri Hvorostovsky ‘Out of Danger’ After Being Taken To Hospital in St. Petersburg With Pneumonia

Operawire.com

POSTED BY: DAVID SALAZAR DECEMBER 20, 2016

http://operawire.com/dmitri-hvorostovsky-out-of-danger-after-being-taken-to-hospital-in-st-petersburg-with-pneumonia/

Aiming high: 10 of the most challenging soprano roles

From the Queen of the Night to Turandot by way of Norma and Brünnhilde, we round up some of opera’s most devilishly difficult soprano roles.

BY KATE HOPKINS (CONTENT PRODUCER (OPERA AND MUSIC))

http://www.roh.org.uk/news/aiming-high-10-of-the-most-challenging-soprano-roles

Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody) Lightsaber Duel - The Piano Guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgAlQuqzl8o

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OPERA ON THE INTERNET

WITH

DAVE D' AGUANNO

This coming Saturday (December 24), instead of broadcasting LIVE, the Met will be airing the January 1, 2008 performance of Humperdinck's "Hansel & Gretel" which seems to have become a holiday favorite over the years.

(www.wrti.org/)

On Radio 3 (BBC), it's a November 2016 performance of Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann" as presented at London's Royal Opera House, & featuring tenor Vittorio Grigolo in the title role, one which he also performed in the Met HD-transmission of this opera in January of last year.

(www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/)

For the "other" Radio 3 (RAI), the broadcast on Saturday happens to be of the opera "Otello" -- that is, the one by Rossini which predates Verdi's by several decades. The Rossini work was performed last month in Naples, and it is the November 30th performance that will be aired on Saturday.

(www.radio3.rai.it/)

One of Rameau's splendid works -- "Les Indes Galantes" (1736) -- can be heard on Swedish Radio in a performance that took place in Munich this past July.

(http://sverigesradio.se/p2/)

Enjoy! -- And Happy Holidays to you all!

DAVE

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The Met Saturday afternoon
radio broadcast

1 PM

Recorded JANUARY 1, 2008

Hansel and Gretel

HUMPERDINCK

Jurowski; Schäfer, Coote, Plowright, Langridge, Held

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Opera Now

The most influential opera magazine in the world

http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/rhinegold-publishing/magazines/opera-now/

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NO OPERA ON

WGBH THIS WEEK!

Kellyanne Conway_Trump Campaign Manager

Welcome to Opera Lovers of Rhode Island!

Visit us for notices of upcoming opera events in Rhode Island, including the Met-HD broadcasts; the broadcasts of European operas at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport, the Cable Car Cinema, and nearby Massachusetts venues; broadcasts of operas on television on either Cox Cable or Verizon Fios listings; recitals by opera singers; performances by Opera Providence, The Providence Singers, and other related events. We also cover choral events such as those by RICCO, and other classical voice events.

CLASSICAL MUSIC ON WGBH and WCRI RADIO

Rhode Island has two classical music stations that broadcast to the entire state.

WGBH 88.7 (Boston, in conjunction with Bryant University) offers the NPR World of Opera every Sunday evening at 6:30pm.

Classical 95.9 Rhode Island WCRI (a commercial station) previously heard only in Southern Rhode Island, now can be heard statewide on 1180AM.

WCRI features the American Opera Series, presented by Pier Liquors: From May through November, hear great opera performances with the American Opera Series. These weekly Saturday operas are rebroadcasts of some of the nations best. The American Opera Series includes: the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Houston Grand Opera.

SUPPORT!

TV Broadcasts are EXPEN$IVE!

Please donate to the two stations that provide countless hours of opera for Rhode Island fans,

~Rhode Island Public Television, WSBE

https://ecom.ripbs.org/ic/fundraise/pledge_form

or call 401-222-3636

WSBE offers you the chance to have your name added to the credits of the broadcast of your favorite opera when you pledge $500. With membership in the new "Opera Category" of $70, you receive a weekly e-mail with opera listings.

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~WGBH from Boston

http://www.wgbh.org/support/tvpledge.cfm