https://simplecast.com He Sang/She Sang He Sang/She Sang is a new podcast from WQXR for the opera-curious and opera superfans who want to know what all those big voices are really singing about. The podcast follows the radio broadcast season of the Metropolitan Opera with a weekly roundtable chat that discusses the plots, characters, music, productions, social significance and great performances of that week's opera. Following the Met's radio broadcast season, He Sang/She Sang will dive into the new productions of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde and Rossini’s William Tell, the Met premiere of an opera by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho and fan favorites by Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. He Sang/She Sang is hosted by Merrin Lazyan and Michael Shobe, with appearances by superstar soprano Anna Netrebko, Met Opera tenor Stuart Skelton, WQXR hosts Jeff Spurgeon and Nimet Habachy, BBC 3 host Clemency Burton Hill and others. © WQXR Radio en-us Thu, 11 May 2017 04:00:00 +0000 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 20:05:35 +0000 https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang He Sang/She Sang https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/3b0f4df7-a48d-4a9a-8ee4-00fad3eae370/18bc2ac3-37d9-4a9f-a0fc-1e0f97b4e02c/3000x3000/hesangshesang-1400-square.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang episodic He Sang/She Sang is a new podcast from WQXR for the opera-curious and opera superfans who want to know what all those big voices are really singing about. The podcast follows the radio broadcast season of the Metropolitan Opera with a weekly roundtable chat that discusses the plots, characters, music, productions, social significance and great performances of that week's opera. Following the Met's radio broadcast season, He Sang/She Sang will dive into the new productions of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde and Rossini’s William Tell, the Met premiere of an opera by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho and fan favorites by Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. He Sang/She Sang is hosted by Merrin Lazyan and Michael Shobe, with appearances by superstar soprano Anna Netrebko, Met Opera tenor Stuart Skelton, WQXR hosts Jeff Spurgeon and Nimet Habachy, BBC 3 host Clemency Burton Hill and others. WQXR Radio false https://feeds.simplecast.com/A11Xx2c0 wqxr, music, classical, interviews, opera, Metropolitan WQXR Radio wnycdigital@gmail.com http://www.wqxr.org/story/stopping-clocks-strauss-der-rosenkavalier/ Stopping the Clocks With Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier' Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier is an opera about the passage of time — what it means to grow older, what we lose and what we gain as the years pass, and how we know when it's time to let go of the people that we love. Mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča knows all about letting go, because after singing the role of Octavian for 17 years, she is giving her final performance as the passionate count this week. But Garanča has no regrets. She's learned to appreciate her life by accepting, and even enjoying, the passage of time. 

]]> Thu, 11 May 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier is an opera about the passage of time — what it means to grow older, what we lose and what we gain as the years pass, and how we know when it's time to let go of the people that we love. Mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča knows all about letting go, because after singing the role of Octavian for 17 years, she is giving her final performance as the passionate count this week. But Garanča has no regrets. She's learned to appreciate her life by accepting, and even enjoying, the passage of time. 

]]> Stopping the Clocks With Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier' WQXR Radio 00:32:26 Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier is an opera about the passage of time — what it means to grow older, what we lose and what we gain as the years pass, and how we know when it's time to let go of the people that we love. Mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča knows all about letting go, because after singing the role of Octavian for 17 years, she is giving her final performance as the passionate count this week. But Garanča has no regrets. She's learned to appreciate her life by accepting, and even enjoying, the passage of time.  Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier is an opera about the passage of time — what it means to grow older, what we lose and what we gain as the years pass, and how we know when it's time to let go of the people that we love. Mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča knows all about letting go, because after singing the role of Octavian for 17 years, she is giving her final performance as the passionate count this week. But Garanča has no regrets. She's learned to appreciate her life by accepting, and even enjoying, the passage of time.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 24 http://www.wqxr.org/story/nose-any-other-name-franco-alfanos-cyrano-de-bergerac/ A Nose by Any Other Name: Franco Alfano's 'Cyrano de Bergerac' Soprano Jennifer Rowley is singing the role of Roxane in Franco Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac, and she says that there's a little bit of Cyrano in all of us. This week, we discuss the sentimental story about love, self-doubt, and the disproportionately large facial feature that has captured our imagination for more than a century.

]]> Wed, 3 May 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Soprano Jennifer Rowley is singing the role of Roxane in Franco Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac, and she says that there's a little bit of Cyrano in all of us. This week, we discuss the sentimental story about love, self-doubt, and the disproportionately large facial feature that has captured our imagination for more than a century.

]]> A Nose by Any Other Name: Franco Alfano's 'Cyrano de Bergerac' WQXR Radio 00:29:55 Soprano Jennifer Rowley is singing the role of Roxane in Franco Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac, and she says that there's a little bit of Cyrano in all of us. This week, we discuss the sentimental story about love, self-doubt, and the disproportionately large facial feature that has captured our imagination for more than a century. Soprano Jennifer Rowley is singing the role of Roxane in Franco Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac, and she says that there's a little bit of Cyrano in all of us. This week, we discuss the sentimental story about love, self-doubt, and the disproportionately large facial feature that has captured our imagination for more than a century. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 23 http://www.wqxr.org/story/flying-dutchman-wagners-eternal-wanderer/ 'The Flying Dutchman': Wagner's Eternal Wanderer This week on He Sang/She Sang, William Berger, author of the book Wagner without Fear, discusses one of history's most controversial and visionary composers. He explores the hit tunes and earworms, the power of transformation, and the unexpected parallels between Wagner and The Beatles. 

]]> Wed, 26 Apr 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang This week on He Sang/She Sang, William Berger, author of the book Wagner without Fear, discusses one of history's most controversial and visionary composers. He explores the hit tunes and earworms, the power of transformation, and the unexpected parallels between Wagner and The Beatles. 

]]> 'The Flying Dutchman': Wagner's Eternal Wanderer WQXR Radio 00:36:03 This week on He Sang/She Sang, William Berger, author of the book Wagner without Fear, discusses one of history's most controversial and visionary composers. He explores the hit tunes and earworms, the power of transformation, and the unexpected parallels between Wagner and The Beatles.  This week on He Sang/She Sang, William Berger, author of the book Wagner without Fear, discusses one of history's most controversial and visionary composers. He explores the hit tunes and earworms, the power of transformation, and the unexpected parallels between Wagner and The Beatles.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 22 http://www.wqxr.org/story/aida-verdis-most-intimate-spectacle/ Aida: Verdi's Most Intimate Spectacle When we think of Verdi's Aida, we imagine the stunning grandeur of the Triumphal March, with its enormous cast of singers, dancer, acrobats, and animals. But stage director David Paul argues that at its heart, Aida is a surprisingly intimate opera about a love triangle. 

]]> Wed, 12 Apr 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang When we think of Verdi's Aida, we imagine the stunning grandeur of the Triumphal March, with its enormous cast of singers, dancer, acrobats, and animals. But stage director David Paul argues that at its heart, Aida is a surprisingly intimate opera about a love triangle. 

]]> Aida: Verdi's Most Intimate Spectacle WQXR Radio 00:36:23 When we think of Verdi's Aida, we imagine the stunning grandeur of the Triumphal March, with its enormous cast of singers, dancer, acrobats, and animals. But stage director David Paul argues that at its heart, Aida is a surprisingly intimate opera about a love triangle.  When we think of Verdi's Aida, we imagine the stunning grandeur of the Triumphal March, with its enormous cast of singers, dancer, acrobats, and animals. But stage director David Paul argues that at its heart, Aida is a surprisingly intimate opera about a love triangle.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 21 http://www.wqxr.org/story/love-and-death-wagners-tristan-und-isolde/ Love and Death in Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' Wagner's Tristan und Isolde is an extraordinary journey through the human psyche, and through the two most powerful forces guiding our lives: love and death. Merrin Lazyan speaks with writer Paul Thomason about the intoxicating magnetism of the music, and tenor Stuart Skelton compares singing the role of Tristan to climbing the Himalayas. 

]]> Thu, 6 Apr 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Wagner's Tristan und Isolde is an extraordinary journey through the human psyche, and through the two most powerful forces guiding our lives: love and death. Merrin Lazyan speaks with writer Paul Thomason about the intoxicating magnetism of the music, and tenor Stuart Skelton compares singing the role of Tristan to climbing the Himalayas. 

]]> Love and Death in Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' WQXR Radio 00:33:25 Wagner's Tristan und Isolde is an extraordinary journey through the human psyche, and through the two most powerful forces guiding our lives: love and death. Merrin Lazyan speaks with writer Paul Thomason about the intoxicating magnetism of the music, and tenor Stuart Skelton compares singing the role of Tristan to climbing the Himalayas.  Wagner's Tristan und Isolde is an extraordinary journey through the human psyche, and through the two most powerful forces guiding our lives: love and death. Merrin Lazyan speaks with writer Paul Thomason about the intoxicating magnetism of the music, and tenor Stuart Skelton compares singing the role of Tristan to climbing the Himalayas.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 20 http://www.wqxr.org/story/light-beethovens-fidelio/ Into the Light With Beethoven's 'Fidelio' Beethoven spent more than ten years revising Fidelio, the only opera he ever wrote. This was about more than music for the great composer. It was about freedom, devotion, and the triumph of human dignity over tyranny. In this episode, host Merrin Lazyan speaks with clarinetist Jessica Phillips and soprano Adrianne Pieczonka about Beethoven's revolutionary sound and spirit.

]]> Wed, 29 Mar 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Beethoven spent more than ten years revising Fidelio, the only opera he ever wrote. This was about more than music for the great composer. It was about freedom, devotion, and the triumph of human dignity over tyranny. In this episode, host Merrin Lazyan speaks with clarinetist Jessica Phillips and soprano Adrianne Pieczonka about Beethoven's revolutionary sound and spirit.

]]> Into the Light With Beethoven's 'Fidelio' WQXR Radio 00:37:29 Beethoven spent more than ten years revising Fidelio, the only opera he ever wrote. This was about more than music for the great composer. It was about freedom, devotion, and the triumph of human dignity over tyranny. In this episode, host Merrin Lazyan speaks with clarinetist Jessica Phillips and soprano Adrianne Pieczonka about Beethoven's revolutionary sound and spirit. Beethoven spent more than ten years revising Fidelio, the only opera he ever wrote. This was about more than music for the great composer. It was about freedom, devotion, and the triumph of human dignity over tyranny. In this episode, host Merrin Lazyan speaks with clarinetist Jessica Phillips and soprano Adrianne Pieczonka about Beethoven's revolutionary sound and spirit. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 19 http://www.wqxr.org/story/fate-and-forbidden-love-mozarts-idomeneo/ Fate and Forbidden Love in Mozart's 'Idomeneo' World-renowned mezzo Alice Coote marvels at Mozart's early insight into fate, sacrifice, and parental love in his first great opera, Idomeneo. She also describes in vivid detail the perils of dressing (and undressing) for a trouser role.

]]> Wed, 22 Mar 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang World-renowned mezzo Alice Coote marvels at Mozart's early insight into fate, sacrifice, and parental love in his first great opera, Idomeneo. She also describes in vivid detail the perils of dressing (and undressing) for a trouser role.

]]> Fate and Forbidden Love in Mozart's 'Idomeneo' WQXR Radio 00:27:50 World-renowned mezzo Alice Coote marvels at Mozart's early insight into fate, sacrifice, and parental love in his first great opera, Idomeneo. She also describes in vivid detail the perils of dressing (and undressing) for a trouser role. World-renowned mezzo Alice Coote marvels at Mozart's early insight into fate, sacrifice, and parental love in his first great opera, Idomeneo. She also describes in vivid detail the perils of dressing (and undressing) for a trouser role. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 18 http://www.wqxr.org/story/william-tell-rossinis-grand-finale/ William Tell: Rossini's Grand Finale On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by author Fred Plotkin to discuss the glorious music of Rossini's final opera, William Tell. We also speak with the Tony-nominated set designer George Tsypin about the themes of nature and freedom that inspired him. 

]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2017 04:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by author Fred Plotkin to discuss the glorious music of Rossini's final opera, William Tell. We also speak with the Tony-nominated set designer George Tsypin about the themes of nature and freedom that inspired him. 

]]> William Tell: Rossini's Grand Finale WQXR Radio 00:29:50 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by author Fred Plotkin to discuss the glorious music of Rossini's final opera, William Tell. We also speak with the Tony-nominated set designer George Tsypin about the themes of nature and freedom that inspired him.  On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by author Fred Plotkin to discuss the glorious music of Rossini's final opera, William Tell. We also speak with the Tony-nominated set designer George Tsypin about the themes of nature and freedom that inspired him.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 17 http://www.wqxr.org/story/la-traviata-verdis-timeless-fallen-woman/ La Traviata: Verdi's Timeless Fallen Woman On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by dramaturg Cori Ellison to discuss Verdi's mythical and timeless masterpiece, La Traviata. We also speak with baritone Thomas Hampson, who has been singing the role of Germont for 25 years. Hampson tells us how the complex and beautiful dilemmas that we find in this opera help us to better understand who we really are. 

]]> Tue, 7 Mar 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by dramaturg Cori Ellison to discuss Verdi's mythical and timeless masterpiece, La Traviata. We also speak with baritone Thomas Hampson, who has been singing the role of Germont for 25 years. Hampson tells us how the complex and beautiful dilemmas that we find in this opera help us to better understand who we really are. 

]]> La Traviata: Verdi's Timeless Fallen Woman WQXR Radio 00:45:57 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by dramaturg Cori Ellison to discuss Verdi's mythical and timeless masterpiece, La Traviata. We also speak with baritone Thomas Hampson, who has been singing the role of Germont for 25 years. Hampson tells us how the complex and beautiful dilemmas that we find in this opera help us to better understand who we really are.  On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher are joined by dramaturg Cori Ellison to discuss Verdi's mythical and timeless masterpiece, La Traviata. We also speak with baritone Thomas Hampson, who has been singing the role of Germont for 25 years. Hampson tells us how the complex and beautiful dilemmas that we find in this opera help us to better understand who we really are.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 16 http://www.wqxr.org/story/werther-massenets-lovelorn-hero/ Werther: Massenet's Lovelorn Hero On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's lovelorn hero, Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight. 

]]> Wed, 1 Mar 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's lovelorn hero, Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight. 

]]> Werther: Massenet's Lovelorn Hero WQXR Radio 00:44:57 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's lovelorn hero, Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight.  On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's lovelorn hero, Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 15 http://www.wqxr.org/story/nymphs-witches-and-gnomes-magic-rusalka/ Nymphs, Witches and Gnomes: The Magic of 'Rusalka' On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with WQXR overnight host Nimet Habachy about Dvorak's supernatural masterpiece, Rusalka. We also hear from soprano Kristine Opolais about her special connection to this role, and about the sacrifices that we make for love. 

]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with WQXR overnight host Nimet Habachy about Dvorak's supernatural masterpiece, Rusalka. We also hear from soprano Kristine Opolais about her special connection to this role, and about the sacrifices that we make for love. 

]]> Nymphs, Witches and Gnomes: The Magic of 'Rusalka' WQXR Radio 00:47:44 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with WQXR overnight host Nimet Habachy about Dvorak's supernatural masterpiece, Rusalka. We also hear from soprano Kristine Opolais about her special connection to this role, and about the sacrifices that we make for love.  On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with WQXR overnight host Nimet Habachy about Dvorak's supernatural masterpiece, Rusalka. We also hear from soprano Kristine Opolais about her special connection to this role, and about the sacrifices that we make for love.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 14 http://www.wqxr.org/story/madness-and-music-i-puritani/ The Madness and Music of 'I Puritani' On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with director Sarah Meyers about why, despite its utterly implausible plot, some consider Bellini's I Puritani to be among the greatest operatic masterpieces ever written. We also hear from bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni about his role debut as Georgio, the best singing advice he's ever received, and the joys of traveling with his two dogs, Lenny and Tristan. 

]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with director Sarah Meyers about why, despite its utterly implausible plot, some consider Bellini's I Puritani to be among the greatest operatic masterpieces ever written. We also hear from bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni about his role debut as Georgio, the best singing advice he's ever received, and the joys of traveling with his two dogs, Lenny and Tristan. 

]]> The Madness and Music of 'I Puritani' WQXR Radio 00:44:36 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with director Sarah Meyers about why, despite its utterly implausible plot, some consider Bellini's I Puritani to be among the greatest operatic masterpieces ever written. We also hear from bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni about his role debut as Georgio, the best singing advice he's ever received, and the joys of traveling with his two dogs, Lenny and Tristan.  On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with director Sarah Meyers about why, despite its utterly implausible plot, some consider Bellini's I Puritani to be among the greatest operatic masterpieces ever written. We also hear from bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni about his role debut as Georgio, the best singing advice he's ever received, and the joys of traveling with his two dogs, Lenny and Tristan.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 13 http://www.wqxr.org/story/carmen-bizets-famous-femme-fatale/ Carmen: Bizet's Famous Femme Fatale On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with conductor Asher Fisch all about Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen. Hear why this opera is loved by opera newbies and connoisseurs alike, and listen to an interview with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who is playing opera's most famous femme fatale at the Met.

]]> Tue, 7 Feb 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with conductor Asher Fisch all about Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen. Hear why this opera is loved by opera newbies and connoisseurs alike, and listen to an interview with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who is playing opera's most famous femme fatale at the Met.

]]> Carmen: Bizet's Famous Femme Fatale WQXR Radio 00:41:54 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with conductor Asher Fisch all about Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen. Hear why this opera is loved by opera newbies and connoisseurs alike, and listen to an interview with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who is playing opera's most famous femme fatale at the Met. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with conductor Asher Fisch all about Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen. Hear why this opera is loved by opera newbies and connoisseurs alike, and listen to an interview with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who is playing opera's most famous femme fatale at the Met. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 12 http://www.wqxr.org/story/rigoletto-verdis-tragic-jester/ Rigoletto: Verdi's Tragic Jester This week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, we chat with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer and soprano Olga Peretyatko about Verdi's Rigoletto. Listen to hear how Mayer came up with this "Rat Pack," Vegas version of the opera in just 48 hours.

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang This week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, we chat with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer and soprano Olga Peretyatko about Verdi's Rigoletto. Listen to hear how Mayer came up with this "Rat Pack," Vegas version of the opera in just 48 hours.

]]> Rigoletto: Verdi's Tragic Jester WQXR Radio 00:47:48 This week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, we chat with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer and soprano Olga Peretyatko about Verdi's Rigoletto. Listen to hear how Mayer came up with this "Rat Pack," Vegas version of the opera in just 48 hours. This week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, we chat with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer and soprano Olga Peretyatko about Verdi's Rigoletto. Listen to hear how Mayer came up with this "Rat Pack," Vegas version of the opera in just 48 hours. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 11 http://www.wqxr.org/story/humor-and-high-jinks-rossinis-barber-seville/ Humor and High Jinks in Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' Despite its disastrous premiere in 1816 — complete with raucous heckling, a bloody nose and a stray cat scampering across the stage — Rossini’s The Barber of Seville quickly joined the ranks of the best-loved and most-performed operas in the world. Based on the first of a trilogy of plays by the French writer Pierre Beaumarchais (the second of which is The Marriage of Figaro), Barber is full of characters and tunes that have delighted audiences for centuries.

In this episode, the He Sang/She Sang team talks with WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon about why Figaro’s memorable aria “Largo al factotum” is a baritone’s “calling card” aria and how Rossini’s music has found its way into movies, TV commercials and everyone’s favorite Saturday morning cartoons.

]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Despite its disastrous premiere in 1816 — complete with raucous heckling, a bloody nose and a stray cat scampering across the stage — Rossini’s The Barber of Seville quickly joined the ranks of the best-loved and most-performed operas in the world. Based on the first of a trilogy of plays by the French writer Pierre Beaumarchais (the second of which is The Marriage of Figaro), Barber is full of characters and tunes that have delighted audiences for centuries.

In this episode, the He Sang/She Sang team talks with WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon about why Figaro’s memorable aria “Largo al factotum” is a baritone’s “calling card” aria and how Rossini’s music has found its way into movies, TV commercials and everyone’s favorite Saturday morning cartoons.

]]> Humor and High Jinks in Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' WQXR Radio 00:24:25 Despite its disastrous premiere in 1816 — complete with raucous heckling, a bloody nose and a stray cat scampering across the stage — Rossini’s The Barber of Seville quickly joined the ranks of the best-loved and most-performed operas in the world. Based on the first of a trilogy of plays by the French writer Pierre Beaumarchais (the second of which is The Marriage of Figaro), Barber is full of characters and tunes that have delighted audiences for centuries. In this episode, the He Sang/She Sang team talks with WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon about why Figaro’s memorable aria “Largo al factotum” is a baritone’s “calling card” aria and how Rossini’s music has found its way into movies, TV commercials and everyone’s favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Despite its disastrous premiere in 1816 — complete with raucous heckling, a bloody nose and a stray cat scampering across the stage — Rossini’s The Barber of Seville quickly joined the ranks of the best-loved and most-performed operas in the world. Based on the first of a trilogy of plays by the French writer Pierre Beaumarchais (the second of which is The Marriage of Figaro), Barber is full of characters and tunes that have delighted audiences for centuries. In this episode, the He Sang/She Sang team talks with WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon about why Figaro’s memorable aria “Largo al factotum” is a baritone’s “calling card” aria and how Rossini’s music has found its way into movies, TV commercials and everyone’s favorite Saturday morning cartoons. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 10 http://www.wqxr.org/story/head-over-heels-diana-damrau/ Head Over Heels with Diana Damrau This week on He Sang/She Sang, we have a special bonus episode! Join us at the Metropolitan Opera for a discussion with soprano Diana Damrau, who is making her role debut as Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. 

]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang This week on He Sang/She Sang, we have a special bonus episode! Join us at the Metropolitan Opera for a discussion with soprano Diana Damrau, who is making her role debut as Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. 

]]> Head Over Heels with Diana Damrau WQXR Radio 00:17:38 This week on He Sang/She Sang, we have a special bonus episode! Join us at the Metropolitan Opera for a discussion with soprano Diana Damrau, who is making her role debut as Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette.  This week on He Sang/She Sang, we have a special bonus episode! Join us at the Metropolitan Opera for a discussion with soprano Diana Damrau, who is making her role debut as Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette.  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 9 http://www.wqxr.org/story/romeo-and-juliet-all-about-love-duets/ Romeo And Juliet: All About The Love Duets This week, the He Sang/She Sang team is joined by WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. Hear how this opera is really a vehicle for four gorgeous love duets, how opera companies protect their "gazillion dollar voices" from dangers on stage, and what makes the brand-spanking-new production at the Met so great.

]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang This week, the He Sang/She Sang team is joined by WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. Hear how this opera is really a vehicle for four gorgeous love duets, how opera companies protect their "gazillion dollar voices" from dangers on stage, and what makes the brand-spanking-new production at the Met so great.

]]> Romeo And Juliet: All About The Love Duets WQXR Radio 00:26:22 This week, the He Sang/She Sang team is joined by WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. Hear how this opera is really a vehicle for four gorgeous love duets, how opera companies protect their "gazillion dollar voices" from dangers on stage, and what makes the brand-spanking-new production at the Met so great. This week, the He Sang/She Sang team is joined by WQXR morning show host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. Hear how this opera is really a vehicle for four gorgeous love duets, how opera companies protect their "gazillion dollar voices" from dangers on stage, and what makes the brand-spanking-new production at the Met so great. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 8 http://www.wqxr.org/story/behind-scenes-and-chorus-la-boheme/ Behind the Scenes and Into the Chorus of Puccini's 'La Bohème' On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Get a behind-the-scenes listen into the life of a Met Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We'll also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta.

]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Get a behind-the-scenes listen into the life of a Met Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We'll also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta.

]]> Behind the Scenes and Into the Chorus of Puccini's 'La Bohème' WQXR Radio 00:31:59 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Get a behind-the-scenes listen into the life of a Met Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We'll also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Get a behind-the-scenes listen into the life of a Met Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We'll also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 7 http://www.wqxr.org/story/nabucco-verdi-triumphant-return/ Nabucco: Verdi's Triumphant Return Nabucco is the opera that got Verdi back in the game after a long time away from composing, but its premiere almost didn't happen. Hear how it was saved and in an ironic twist of fate, how the opera shortened the career of the soprano who saved it.

On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and dramaturg Cori Ellison discuss Verdi's connection to the plight of the Hebrew slaves, why this year's revival at the Metropolitan Opera is so special and the cultural significance of "Va, pensiero." 

]]> Tue, 3 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang Nabucco is the opera that got Verdi back in the game after a long time away from composing, but its premiere almost didn't happen. Hear how it was saved and in an ironic twist of fate, how the opera shortened the career of the soprano who saved it.

On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and dramaturg Cori Ellison discuss Verdi's connection to the plight of the Hebrew slaves, why this year's revival at the Metropolitan Opera is so special and the cultural significance of "Va, pensiero." 

]]> Nabucco: Verdi's Triumphant Return WQXR Radio 00:36:20 Nabucco is the opera that got Verdi back in the game after a long time away from composing, but its premiere almost didn't happen. Hear how it was saved and in an ironic twist of fate, how the opera shortened the career of the soprano who saved it. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and dramaturg Cori Ellison discuss Verdi's connection to the plight of the Hebrew slaves, why this year's revival at the Metropolitan Opera is so special and the cultural significance of "Va, pensiero."  Nabucco is the opera that got Verdi back in the game after a long time away from composing, but its premiere almost didn't happen. Hear how it was saved and in an ironic twist of fate, how the opera shortened the career of the soprano who saved it. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and dramaturg Cori Ellison discuss Verdi's connection to the plight of the Hebrew slaves, why this year's revival at the Metropolitan Opera is so special and the cultural significance of "Va, pensiero."  classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 6 http://www.wqxr.org/story/litaliana-algeri-rossinis-quest-italy/ L'Italiana in Algeri: Rossini's quest for Italy L'Italiana in Algeri may seem like a classic battle of the sexes story set in North Africa, but it's really all about Italy. At least that's one way to look at it. On this episode of He Sang/She Sang, author Fred Plotkin, soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb discuss the politics, patriotism and musical brilliance of Rossini's escape-story masterpiece.

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang L'Italiana in Algeri may seem like a classic battle of the sexes story set in North Africa, but it's really all about Italy. At least that's one way to look at it. On this episode of He Sang/She Sang, author Fred Plotkin, soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb discuss the politics, patriotism and musical brilliance of Rossini's escape-story masterpiece.

]]> L'Italiana in Algeri: Rossini's quest for Italy WQXR Radio 00:40:36 L'Italiana in Algeri may seem like a classic battle of the sexes story set in North Africa, but it's really all about Italy. At least that's one way to look at it. On this episode of He Sang/She Sang, author Fred Plotkin, soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb discuss the politics, patriotism and musical brilliance of Rossini's escape-story masterpiece. L'Italiana in Algeri may seem like a classic battle of the sexes story set in North Africa, but it's really all about Italy. At least that's one way to look at it. On this episode of He Sang/She Sang, author Fred Plotkin, soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb discuss the politics, patriotism and musical brilliance of Rossini's escape-story masterpiece. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 5 http://www.wqxr.org/story/hansel-and-gretel-inside-gingerbread-house/ Hansel and Gretel: Inside the Gingerbread House On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Englebert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel. Hear how the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale became an opera, why it's often performed at Christmastime and which musical moments are truly magical. Also on the show, opera and theater director Mary Birnbaum shares how she first fell in love with Hansel and Gretel.

]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Englebert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel. Hear how the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale became an opera, why it's often performed at Christmastime and which musical moments are truly magical. Also on the show, opera and theater director Mary Birnbaum shares how she first fell in love with Hansel and Gretel.

]]> Hansel and Gretel: Inside the Gingerbread House WQXR Radio 00:33:30 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Englebert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel. Hear how the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale became an opera, why it's often performed at Christmastime and which musical moments are truly magical. Also on the show, opera and theater director Mary Birnbaum shares how she first fell in love with Hansel and Gretel. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon to discuss Englebert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel. Hear how the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale became an opera, why it's often performed at Christmastime and which musical moments are truly magical. Also on the show, opera and theater director Mary Birnbaum shares how she first fell in love with Hansel and Gretel. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 4 http://www.wqxr.org/story/behind-salomes-seven-veils-lust-murder-and-mutilation/ Behind Salome's Seven Veils: Lust, Murder and Mutilation On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. P

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. P

]]> Behind Salome's Seven Veils: Lust, Murder and Mutilation WQXR Radio 00:36:42 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. P On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe are joined by soprano Patricia Racette and music writer Paul Thomason to discuss Salome. Hear how an innocent princess transforms into a deranged psychopath, the scandals surrounding the opera's premieres and why it's more fun to play a nasty character than a nice one. P classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 3 http://www.wqxr.org/story/looking-lamour-de-loin/ Up Close with 'L'Amour de Loin' On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe get you ready for the brand new Met Opera production of L'Amour de Loin. We'll discuss the plot, characters and the music from this 12th century story about a long-distance relationship. Plus, we'll hear from bass-baritone Eric Owens, soprano Susanna Phillips and composer Kaija Saariaho.

]]> Tue, 6 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe get you ready for the brand new Met Opera production of L'Amour de Loin. We'll discuss the plot, characters and the music from this 12th century story about a long-distance relationship. Plus, we'll hear from bass-baritone Eric Owens, soprano Susanna Phillips and composer Kaija Saariaho.

]]> Up Close with 'L'Amour de Loin' WQXR Radio 00:40:31 On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe get you ready for the brand new Met Opera production of L'Amour de Loin. We'll discuss the plot, characters and the music from this 12th century story about a long-distance relationship. Plus, we'll hear from bass-baritone Eric Owens, soprano Susanna Phillips and composer Kaija Saariaho. On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe get you ready for the brand new Met Opera production of L'Amour de Loin. We'll discuss the plot, characters and the music from this 12th century story about a long-distance relationship. Plus, we'll hear from bass-baritone Eric Owens, soprano Susanna Phillips and composer Kaija Saariaho. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 2 http://www.wqxr.org/story/were-go-manon-lescaut/ We're a Go for 'Manon Lescaut' On the premiere episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe discuss the plot, characters, and music of Puccini's Manon Lescaut with principle stage director of Regina Opera Linda Lehr, and WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon. Anna Netrebko joins us to talk about playing Manon Lescaut, and the panel discusses their YouTube recommendations.

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2016 05:00:00 +0000 wnycdigital@gmail.com (WQXR Radio) https://www.wqxr.org/shows/hesangshesang On the premiere episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe discuss the plot, characters, and music of Puccini's Manon Lescaut with principle stage director of Regina Opera Linda Lehr, and WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon. Anna Netrebko joins us to talk about playing Manon Lescaut, and the panel discusses their YouTube recommendations.

]]> We're a Go for 'Manon Lescaut' WQXR Radio 00:45:05 On the premiere episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe discuss the plot, characters, and music of Puccini's Manon Lescaut with principle stage director of Regina Opera Linda Lehr, and WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon. Anna Netrebko joins us to talk about playing Manon Lescaut, and the panel discusses their YouTube recommendations. On the premiere episode of He Sang/She Sang, hosts Merrin Lazyan and Mike Shobe discuss the plot, characters, and music of Puccini's Manon Lescaut with principle stage director of Regina Opera Linda Lehr, and WQXR morning host Jeff Spurgeon. Anna Netrebko joins us to talk about playing Manon Lescaut, and the panel discusses their YouTube recommendations. classical, music, metropolitan, interviews, opera, wqxr false full 1