Met Opera Guild Podcast

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 Elektra.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Rigoletto was based on Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi s’amuse, literally, “the king enjoys himself.” However, since opera houses were under strict control of government censors, it was too controversial for a king to be portrayed as a serial seducer. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have a historic recording from our Talking About Opera archives featuring Guild Lecturer Bridget Paloucci.

With music by Genius grant recipient Matthew Aucoin, libretto by recipient Sarah Ruhl, and stage direction by recipient Mary Zimmerman, Eurydice is a new examination of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice from Eurydice’s point of view. This co-commission and co-production arrives at the Met after a successful premiere at LA Opera in February 2020. On today’s episode, professor W. Anthony Sheppard takes us into the underworld and explores our protagonist’s tale.

Instead of all of the mythological figures we are used to seeing in Wagner’s operas, the story of Die Meistersinger is set in a community of artisans. The main character, Hans Sachs is even based on a real life historical figure. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild’s podcast, we welcome back Guild lecturer Desiree Mays for the second part of our discussion on Die Meistersinger.

Though thought of as Wagner’s only comic opera, Die Meistersinger can also be seen as an artistic manifesto. With a six-hour running time, Die Meistersinger is the longest opera in the Met’s repertory. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, we welcome Guild lecturer Desiree Mays for the first of two episodes on Die Meistersinger.

From more traditional staging to more boundary-pushing productions, operatic staging has been evolving and changing since the advent of opera. In fact, what we see on the stage can directly affect what the audience hears and understands, and vice versa. In this episode of the Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we talk with lecturer Matthew Timmermans about his virtual Opera Boot Camp, all about the history and legacy of operatic staging!

Featuring a score by renowned jazz musician Terence Blanchard, and a libretto by actor and director Kasi Lemmons, Fire Shut Up in My Bones was this year’s Opening Night performance, marking the return of live opera to the Met stage after the longest closure in company history. In this episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, librettist and author Joanne Sydney Lessner explores this exciting new work!

Modest Mussorgsky sought to create a national school of Russian music, free from western influences. His most notable work, Boris Godunov, was initially brutally rejected by the board of the Imperial Theatres in St. Petersburg in 1871. However, it went on to become one of the most popular works in the Russian repertoire. On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, lecturer Jane Marsh explores the history and highlights of this operatic work.

A brand new season of Metropolitan Opera Guild programs is ready to go on sale next week! After a successful season of virtual programming, we are excited to return with a combination of in-person and virtual events.

By turns regal and opulent, rich and astounding, the operatic diva has the ability to move you with performances that you will remember for the rest of your life. In the final episode of our four-part series, we’re joined by lecturer Ira Siff as he discusses the lives and careers of the great divas Christa Ludwig, Aprile Millo, Krassmira Stoyanova, Teresa Stratas, and, of course, Jessye Norman.

In today’s episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild podcast, we are joined by lecturer Ira Siff to discuss his experiences and memories of watching Marilyn Horne perform, and divas Shirley Verrett, Montserrat Caballe, Magda Olivero, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Virginia Zeani!