Episodes
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Episode 130: Remembering Richard Lewis: Part 1 of 2
After the passing of Welsh tenor Richard Lewis in November of 1990, the BBC produced a tribute to him as part of their “Mining the Archives” series. The listener will hear Schubert’s Drei Gesänge des Partners and Brittten’s Canticle II with mezzo soprano Mary Thomas, recorded in June of 1966. The...
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Episode 129: Remembering Rethberg:
On April 25, 1963, journalist William Seward interviewed three people who knew and heard soprano Elisabeth Rethberg: soprano Rose Bampton remembers her during her early studies at the Curtis Institute, conductor Erich Leinsdorf voices his appreciation for her and memories were shared by Wagnerian...
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Episode 128: Alfred Hubay: 1960-1961: Part 1 of 3
Alfred Hubay was in his final year as Chief Usher for the Metropolitan Opera during the 1960-1961 season and in this episode, he relays many momentous events, including an opening night new but somber production of Nabucco with Cornell MacNeil, Leonie Rysanek and Bonaldo Giaiotti in his Met…
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Episode 127: Alfred Hubay: 1959-1960: Part 5 of 5
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include a particular performance of Andrea Chenier with Ettore Bastianini and Carlo Bergonzi, the departure of Antonietta Stella, the…
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Episode 126: Remembering Germaine Lubin
On May 17, 1985, the BBC aired a part of its series on 5 French Singers, this one concerning the soprano Germaine Lubin. Her early years and heritage are spoken of, as well as her personality traits, the development of her voice, her debut at 22, her calling card role of Elsa, her problematic low...
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Episode 125: Biographies in Music: Francis Robinson: Alessio de Paolis
During the broadcast of Il trovatore on March 29, 1969, one of the intermission features was an episode of Biographies in Music, hosted by Francis Robinson. The subject was comprimario tenor Alessio de Paolis. In addition to hearing from Mr. de Paolis himself, the listener will hear excerpts from...
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Episode 124: Alfred Hubay: 1959-1960: Part 4 of 5
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr....
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Episode 123: Victoria de los Angeles in Australia: Part 2 o 2
On tour in Australia in 1994, Victoria de los Angeles was recorded speaking and responding to questions from the audience. Her charm, openness and philosophy are evident throughout both of the two ca. 25 minute episodes; only the last segment of the second episode deals specifically with her...
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Episode 122: Biographies in Music: Francis Robinson: Mary Garden
During the broadcast of La boheme on February 4, 1967, a two part episode of Biographies in Music was aired, hosted by Francis Robinson about Scottish soprano Mary Garden. He speaks of biographical details in his inimitable style and the listener will hear excerpts from Louise, Paellas et...
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Episode 121: Alfred Hubay: 1959-1960: Part 3 of 5
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as GeneralManager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include a new production of Simon Boccanegra for Leonard Warren, followed by the most tragic event in the Metropolitan Opera’s history, the…
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Episode 120: Alfred Hubay: 1959-1960: Part 2 of 5
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include the tumultuous debut of Birgit Nilsson in a new production of Tristan ind Isolde, a failure of a new production of The Gypsy Baron with...
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Episode 119: Victoria de los Angeles in Australia: Part 1 of 2
On tour in Australia in 1994, Victoria de los Angeles was recorded speaking and responding to questions from the audience. Her charm, openness and philosophy are evident throughout both of the two ca. 25 minute episodes (Part 1 of 2).
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Episode 118: Prima Donna: Mary Garden
On January 23, 1962, the BBC produced a program called “Prima Donna: A Meeting with an Opera Star”. Introduced by Alastair Selway, the 84-year-old Scottish soprano Mary Garden spoke with Madeau Stewart on subjects such as when to stop and retire, creating the role of Mélisande, advice for…
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Episode 117: Alfred Hubay: 1959-1960: Part 1 of 5
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include an opening night new production of Il trovatore with Antonietta Stella, C arlo Bergonzi and Giulietta Simionato in her Met debut,...
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Episode 116: Alfred Hubay: 1958-1959: Part 3 of 3
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including the debuts of 5 tenors: Dimiter Uzunov, Flaviano Labo, Primo Zambruno, Karl Liebl and Barry Morell, Zinka Milanov’s first Met Desdemona, the first Met Iago of Tito Gobbi…
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Episode 115: Mary Garden with John Gutman
During an intermission of the April 3, 1954 Carmen broadcast. John Gutman spent a brief time with soprano Mary Garden. She is her usual forthright self, reminiscing about Claude Debussy, creating the role of Mélisande and various other subjects. The episode begins with the opening of the tower...
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Episode 114: Singer's Choice: Fritz Wunderlich
On May 15, 1986, the BBC produced an episode in their series called “Singer’s Choice” about German tenor Fritz Wunderlich. The listener will hear biographical details interspersed with arias and songs from Die Zauberflöte, Die Rose von Stambul, Eugene Onegin, a song by Robert Stolz, An di Laute…
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Episode 113: Alfred Hubay: 1958-1959: Part 2 OF 3
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including the Met’s attempt to start a ballet company, Les contes d’Hoffmann with Nicolai Gedda, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Lucine Amara and George London, the debuts of Martina Arroyo…
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Episode 112: Alfred Hubay: 1958-1959: Part 1 OF 3
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including a star studded opening nightTosca with Renata Tebaldi, Mario del Monaco and George London, Renata Tebaldi’s first Met Butterfly and Manon Lescaut, how Rudolf Bing dealt…
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Episode 111: Biogrphies in Music: Francis Robinson: Elena Gerhardt
From the broadcast of January 2, 1965, here is an episode of Biographies in Music by Francis Robinson on famed tenor Beniamino Gigli. In addition to biographical information, the listener will hear excerpts from La gioconda, La boheme, Lucia di Lammermoor, Le roi d’ys, Lohengrin Andrea Chenier…
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About this show
A presentation and preservation of operatic memories and impressions.
Hosted by
The Operatic PastCast
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