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Met Opera Guild Podcast

Metropolitan Opera Guildwww.metguild.org
Podcast by Metropolitan Opera Guild
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Episodes

Ep. 224: Expanding the Canon Part III - Foreign Works

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the last of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this final episode, he will dive into how the Met’s production of foreign works such as Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Britten’s Peter Grimes have expanded the boundaries of the canon. This marks our final podcast episode of this season, but we will return on August 9 with a brand new season!...

Jul 05, 20231 hr 10 min

Ep. 223: Expanding the Canon Part II - Star-Studded Revivals

Today, we have the second of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this episode, he will dive into star-studded revivals —looking at somewhat unknown operas that are often revived with all-star casts, such as Cherubini’s Medea and Giordano’s Fedora.

Jun 21, 20231 hr 5 min

Ep. 222: Expanding the Canon Part I - New Works

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the first of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this first episode, he will dive into two new productions that have pushed the boundaries of the canon—Terence Blanchard’s Champion and Kevin Puts’s The Hours.

Jun 07, 20231 hr 12 min

Ep. 221: Talking About Opera on Die Zauberflöte

On today’s episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we are delving into our archives to explore Die Zauberflöte with the late renowned music scholar Father Owen Lee. Die Zauberflöte is a sublime and magical fairytale full of mysticism, love, and humor. Listen to learn more about the opera’s fantastical drama and ethereal score.

May 31, 202354 min

Ep. 220: Opera Outlook on Don Giovanni

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we are joined by lecturer Phillip Gainsley as he explores the music and drama of Don Giovanni. Based on the legend of Don Juan, Mozart’s masterpiece has remained on the operatic stage since its premiere in 1787 and has gone on to become a cultural behemoth, inspiring playwrights such as Peter Shaffer and other composers such as Liszt and Tchaikovsky. On today’s episode, we will delve into what makes this evergreen opera as popular today...

May 17, 20231 hr 3 min

Ep. 219: Opera Outlook on Champion

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we are joined by lecturer Tanisha Mitchell as she discusses the music and real-life themes of Champion, an “opera in jazz.”

Apr 26, 202350 min

Ep. 218: The Mythos and Myths of Wagner's Male Characters Part II

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the second of two episodes exploring the mythos and myths of Wagner’s male characters, featuring Guild lecturer Desiree Mays. In this second episode, she will continue to explore the ideas of myth and mythos and how they are presented in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Lohengrin.

Mar 29, 20231 hr 13 min

Ep. 217: The Mythos and Myths of Wagner's Male Characters Part I

Mythos, myth, legend and folk art were all topics that captivated Richard Wagner when he was no longer satisfied with realistic situations and the confines of time and space. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the first of two episodes exploring the myth and mythos of Wagner’s male characters, featuring Guild lecturer Desiree Mays. In this first episode she will explore the idea of myth and mythos and how it is presented through the doom-ridden Dutchman.

Mar 22, 20231 hr 20 min

Ep. 216: Opera Outlook on Lohengrin

Lohengrin is a pivotal work in Wagner’s stylistic development, showcased by his tremendous ability to represent the psychology of his characters through music. Lohengrin returned to the Met stage this season, in a brand-new production by director François Girard, whose previous work includes the Met’s stunning production of Parsifal in 2013. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we are joined by Guild lecturer John J. H. Muller as he explores the history and music of this ...

Mar 15, 202357 min

Ep. 215: L'Elisir d'Amore

On today's episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we are joined by soprano and the Guild's School Programs Senior Associate, Alyson Sheehan, as she discusses the bel canto classic, L'Elisir d'Amore.

Mar 08, 202353 min

Ep. 214: Operatic Singing And Recording

On today's Met Opera Guild podcast, we are joined by musicologist and lecturer Diana Maron as she discusses the evolution of early recording technology and opera.

Feb 22, 202341 min

Ep. 213: Verdi's Merry Masterpiece – Falstaff

Verdi’s final opera, Falstaff, is based on Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Part 1, but it did not become a huge success until Arturo Toscanini insisted on reviving it at La Scala, and later The Metropolitan Opera, in the 1890s. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, we are joined by Voice Teacher, Stage Director and Educator, Doreen Hutchings as she discusses the humor, music, and staging challenges within Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff.

Feb 15, 202344 min

Ep. 212: Talking about Opera on Dialogues des Carmélites

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have a historic recording from our Talking About Opera archives featuring Guild Lecturer Father Owen Lee. The musical examples come from the Virgin Classics recording with Catherine Dubosc, Rita Gorr, Martine Dupuy, Rachel Yakar, and Jose van Dam, conducted by Kent Nagano.

Jan 24, 20231 hr 7 min

Ep. 211: Opera Outlook on Fedora

Returning to the Met after an absence of 25 years, Giordano’s opera Fedora is full of murder, political intrigue and many more melodramatic twists and turns. Perhaps best known for its famous tenor aria, “Amor ti vieta,” the opera is nonetheless a stage vehicle for the prima donna. On today’s episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, join the Guild’s Director of Learning and Engagement, Stuart Holt, as he explores the drama and music of Fedora.

Jan 11, 202358 min

Ep. 210: Opera Outlook The Hours

Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and made a household name by the Oscar-winning 2002 film version starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman, this powerful story concerns three women from different eras who each grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society. On this episode we join Guild lecturer and musicologist W. Anthony Sheppard discusses The Hours.

Dec 07, 20221 hr

Ep. 209: Don Carlos Talking about Opera

On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have a historic recording from our Talking About Opera archives featuring Guild Lecturer Albert Innaurato.

Nov 23, 202258 min

Ep. 208: Opera Outlook Peter Grimes

On this episode of the Met Opera Guild Podcast, lecturer Michael Bolton explores Britten’s magnificent meditation on isolation and persecution.

Nov 09, 202254 min

Ep. 207: Opera Outlook Medea

Cherubini was a child prodigy who composed several works by the time he was thirteen, before turning his sights to the operatic stage. Perhaps his most famous work, Medea opened the 2022-23 Met Opera season, marking the company premiere of the opera. We welcomeD lecturer and radio personality, Nimet Habachy, as she explores the life and times of Cherubini and his most famous opera, Medea.

Oct 19, 202249 min

Ep. 206: Opera Outlook Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Based on Nikolai Leskov’s novella, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, and seen as one of the most significant operas of the 20th century, Shostakovich’s work returns to the Met this season, featuring soprano Svetlana Sozdateleva and tenor Brandon Javonovich as the deadly Katerina and her lover. Today’s episode features lecturer Harlow Robinson as he explores this story of adultery and murder.

Oct 05, 20221 hr 1 min

Ep. 205: Met Opera Guild Season Announcement

Opera Outlooks, Master Classes, Boot Camps, and more are back LIVE and online at the Metropolitan Opera Guild! Find out more about the exciting array of Met Opera Guild learning opportunities in this season on today’s episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast!

Aug 17, 202223 min

Ep. 204: Opera and Greek Drama Part IV

In the last part of our series Opera and Greek Drama, we’ll conclude our journey of Greek drama after the Trojan War with arguably the most violent and bloodthirsty of Greek myths, the saga of Agamemnon. Lecturer Matthew Timmermans will begin by returning to Gluck, looking at his Iphigénie en Tauride (1779), one of the many operas he wrote for the French stage after his career in Italy. Then, he will discuss one of operas most powerful, beautiful, and disturbing musical adaptations, Strauss’s El...

Jul 27, 202256 min

Ep. 203: Opera and Greek Drama Part III

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

Jul 20, 20221 hr 5 min

Ep. 202: Opera and Greek Drama Part II

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.

Jul 13, 202258 min

Ep. 201: Opera and Greek Drama Part I

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 Ariadn...

Jul 06, 20221 hr 6 min

Ep. 200: Lucia and Madness Study Day- Part II

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.

Jun 22, 202256 min

Ep. 199: Lucia and Madness Study Day Part I

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.

Jun 15, 202247 min

Ep. 198: Opera Outlook on Hamlet

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.

Jun 02, 202245 min

Ep. 197: Opera Outlook on Lucia di Lammermoor

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.

May 18, 202253 min

Ep.196: Opera Outlook Don Carlos

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.

Mar 23, 202259 min

Ep. 195: Opera Outlook: Ariadne auf Naxos

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

Mar 10, 202250 min
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