World of Opera's Hit Singles

Choose from a selection of opera's biggest hits, gathered from World of Opera's featured productions.

 
 

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'The Bartered Bride' from Paris

Smetana's brilliant comedy is among the world's most popular operas, yet remains deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of his Czech homeland. Jiri Belohlavek leads a production by the Paris Opera, from the Palais Garnier.

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Recently on World of Opera

Friday, January 2, 2009

 
The Deal of a Lifetime: Gounod's 'Faust'

The legendary deal with the devil comes to life, as the brilliant soprano Angela Gheorghiu stars as Marguerite in the Vienna State Opera's production of Gounod's Faust, with tenor Roberto Alagna in the title role.

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Friday, December 26, 2008

 
A Sly Cinderella: 'La Cenerentola'

La Cenerentola is Rossini's uproarious yet touching version of the familiar Cinderella story — minus the magic pumpkin and the glass slipper, but with an added dose of human foibles. Vivica Genaux stars in a production from the Grand Theatre of Geneva.

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Friday, December 19, 2008

 
Intrigue and Uproar:  'Don Carlo' at La Scala

La Scala's season opening production of Don Carlo caused a true sensation when management abruptly replaced the lead tenor with his understudy, American Stuart Neill, and the company's highly vocal fans made their feelings known.

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Friday, December 12, 2008

 
A Shakespeare Rarity:  Verdi's 'Otello'

Giuseppe Verdi finished his masterpiece Otello at age 73, after a 12-year hiatus, basing the opera on the great tragedy by Shakespeare. Tenor Johan Botha and soprano Nuccia Focile star in a production from Cologne.

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Coming up on World of Opera

Productions to be featured in the coming weeks of NPR's World of Opera

  • January 16. BIZET: "Carmen" (Houston Grand Opera)
  • January 23. ROSSINI: "L'Italiana in Algeri"(Washington National Opera)
  • January 30. MARSCHNER: "The Vampire" (Teatro Comunale, Bologna)
  • February 6. VIVALDI: "Orlando Furioso" (Parco della Muusica, Rome)
 
 
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