Show Notes
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 as it was in the 18th century.