A Deal Undone: Smetana’s ‘The Bartered Bride’
Hidden identities, secret bargains and dancing bears characterize this Czech comedy, in a production from the Prague National Opera.
Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’: Profound Or Preposterous?
Verdi’s Il Trovatore remains one of the most popular operas of all time, but it walks a fine line between tragedy and farce. Find out who threw which baby into the fire in this production from the Maggio Musicale in Florence, Italy.
Band Of Gypsies: Haydn And Brahms At Spoleto Festival
Musicians at the 2010 Spoleto Festival U.S.A. bring out the “Gypsy” in Haydn and Brahms. The newly renovated Dock Street Theater in Charleston, S.C., plays host to Gypsy-inspired sounds from Haydn and Brahms at the 2010 Spoleto Festival USA.
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‘The Golden Ticket’ Is Finally Unwrapped
The new opera, based on Roald Dahl’s ever-popular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was meant to bring families into the opera house. But the premiere under way now at Opera Theatre of St. Louis did not have a sweet ride from conception to opening night.
New Name, Same Talent: Yundi At WNYC
Chinese pianist Yundi Li recently shortened his stage name to “Yundi.” But it may not have been necessary: The young musician has already achieved superstardom in his homeland. In this session from WNYC, he plays two Chopin nocturnes.
Soprano Renee Fleming Turns To Rock And Pop With ‘Dark Hope’
Monkey See chats about Renee Fleming’s pop/rock project with a little help from the classical department at NPR Music.
One Opera, Four Stories: Martinů’s ‘The Plays Of Mary’
After Dvořák, Smetana and Janaček, Bohuslav Martinů continued the long and distinguished line of Czech opera composers. Characters both sacred and profane struggle for supremacy in Martinů’s unique stage drama, inspired by the medieval tradition of mystery and miracle Plays.
Robert Schumann’s Childhood Dreams
Some of the most profound, beautiful moments in classical music are spoken softly. To mark the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s birth, commentator Rob Kapilow takes a look at “Träumerei,”one of Schumann’s most quiet, introspective pieces.
Murray Perahia Discovers Schumann’s Inner Child
Pianist Murray Perahia joins the celebration of Schumann’s 200th with a discussion Kinderszenen, the composer’s imaginative depiction of childhood. With Performance Today’s Fred Child, Perahia offers his own interpretation of the work and plays a few choice selections.
Robert Schumann’s Routine Of Intensity
Schumann’s gangbusters work ethic results in some of the best material for music festivals. Hear his dynamic Piano Quintet in E-flat from the Montreal Chamber Music Festival.
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