Arias and Songs Archives | WFMT

Arias and Songs Archives | WFMT episodes:

• 12.05.2020

  Happy Endings

  Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from his Symphony No. 9 is the centerpiece of this program. Herbert von Karajan conducts. Also heard will be the finale of Verdi’s Falstaff with Bryn Terfel and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice with Shirley Verrett and...

  
• 11.28.2020

  For the Children

  The holiday season is always about children and the child that lives within us. We will hear lullabies by Kathleen Battle, Boris Christoff, Marilyn Horne, and Ian Bostridge. The prayer from Hänsel und Gretel is sung by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and...

  
• 11.21.2020

  Food for Thought

  A tasty treat for all! The Robert Shaw Chorale takes us to a clambake, Fanny Brice cooks breakfast, the Crab Man and Strawberry Woman from Porgy and Bess offer food for sale, a little boy named Oliver wants more to...

  
• 11.14.2020

  All in the Family

  Close personal and professional relationships are explored. We recall those of Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge; Galina Vishnevskaya and Mstislav Rostropovich; Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears; and Roberto Alagna and his brothers.

  
• 11.07.2020

  A Program Sung in Latin

  Selections will be heard from religious works by Charpentier, Rossini, Verdi, and Bruckner. Also heard will be Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and a choral work from the film The Lion in Winter. Among the various artists will be Cecilia Bartoli,...

  
• 10.24.2020

  A Cole Porter Program

  The legendary Broadway composer well served in recordings made famous by his contemporaries Fred Astaire, Mary Martin, Artie Shaw, and Ella Fitzgerald. Mr. Porter will also accompany himself in one of his songs.  

  
• 10.17.2020

  The English Songbook

  A survey of songs by Vaughan Williams, Delius, and Purcell among others; sung by Bryn Terfel, Kathleen Ferrier, Ian Bostridge, Alice Coote, Felicity Lott, Simon Keenlyside, Anne Murray, and more.

  
• 10.03.2020

  Opera Singers of Spain

  Larry presents six Spanish singers in opera and song. They are Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras, Teresa Berganza, Alfredo Kraus, Victoria de los Ángeles, and Conchita Supervía.

  
• 09.26.2020

  Can There Ever Be Enough Mozart?

  Certainly NOT! Delighting the heart and soul are selections from six Mozart operas. Artists include Frederica von Stade, Teresa Berganza, Gottlob Frick, Pilar Lorengar, Gabriel Bacquier, Lucia Popp, and Edita Gruberová. A must hear indeed for Mozart fans.

  
• 09.19.2020

  A Coloratura Spectacular

  Vocal pyrotechnics abound with high ‘C’s, trills, and singing techniques that’ll leave you breathless. At their best are Joan Sutherland, Alfred Deller, Lucia Popp, Sigrid Onégin, and Magda Olivero. READ MORE: 15 Sopranos Singing One of the Craziest Coloratura Arias    

  
• 09.05.2020

  A Program for Labor Day

  A tribute to workers everywhere that features three government ministers, a flower seller, a fashion designer, and even a smuggler. Cecilia Bartoli, Lucrezia Bori, and Katharine Hepburn are heard, among other vocalists.

  
• 09.05.2020

  A Program for Labor Day

  A tribute to workers everywhere that features three government ministers, a flower seller, a fashion designer, and even a smuggler. Cecilia Bartoli, Lucrezia Bori, and Katharine Hepburn are heard, among other vocalists.

  
• 08.29.2020

  Night Songs

  As a follow up to last week’s program, “Morning Songs,” Larry ventures into the night with Anna Moffo, Thomas Hampson, Beverly Sills, and Alfredo Kraus singing pieces from Donizetti to Cole Porter.

  
• 08.22.2020

  Morning Songs

  The day begins with the “Awakening Scene” from Strauss’s The Egyptian Helen, sung by Leontyne Price. The morning continues with Die Meistersinger, The Mikado, Oklahoma!, and much more. Artists include The King’s Singers, René Kollo, Bryn Terfel, and Jonas Kaufmann.

  
• 08.22.2020

  Morning Songs

  The day begins with the “Awakening Scene” from Strauss’s The Egyptian Helen, sung by Leontyne Price. The morning continues with Die Meistersinger, The Mikado, Oklahoma!, and much more. Artists include The King’s Singers, René Kollo, Bryn Terfel, and Jonas Kaufmann.

  
• 08.01.2020

  From The American Songbook

  This is a program of classic American songs. The traditional “Shenandoah,” Steven Foster’s “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” the spiritual “Deep River,” “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, and others. Singers include Eileen Farrell, the Norman Luboff Choir and Marilyn...

  
• 08.01.2020

  From The American Songbook

  This is a program of classic American songs. The traditional “Shenandoah,” Steven Foster’s “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” the spiritual “Deep River,” “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, and others. Singers include Eileen Farrell, the Norman Luboff Choir and Marilyn...

  
• 07.25.2020

  Fire and Music

  A combustible combination as René Pape singing “Wotan’s Farewell” and “Fire Music” from Die Walküre. Régine Crespin witnesses the burning of Troy in Les Troyens. Larissa Diadkova sees her mother burned at the stake in Il trovatore.

  
• 07.25.2020

  Fire and Music

  A combustible combination as René Pape singing “Wotan’s Farewell” and “Fire Music” from Die Walküre. Régine Crespin witnesses the burning of Troy in Les Troyens. Larissa Diadkova sees her mother burned at the stake in Il trovatore.

  
• 07.18.2020

  American Musical Theater

  The Overture to Cole Porter’s Anything Goes kicks off this ode to American musical theater. Glynis Johns sings, “Send In the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music, and Bette Midler greets us with, “Hello, Dolly!,” among much more to be...

  
• 07.18.2020

  American Musical Theater

  The Overture to Cole Porter’s Anything Goes kicks off this ode to American musical theater. Glynis Johns sings, “Send In the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music, and Bette Midler greets us with, “Hello, Dolly!,” among much more to be...

  
• 07.11.2020

  The Art of Josephine Baker

  Arriving in France as one of the many Americans in Paris in the 1920s, La Belle Josephine, as she was called, became a national treasure for the French for half a century.

  
• 07.11.2020

  The Art of Josephine Baker

  Arriving in France as one of the many Americans in Paris in the 1920s, La Belle Josephine, as she was called, became a national treasure for the French for half a century.

  
• 06.27.2020

  A Program for Gay Pride Weekend

  For a special one-hour program beginning at 4:30pm, Larry showcases the talents of gay composers Gian Carlo Menotti, Reynaldo Hahn, and Michael Tippett. Also featured are Peter Pears, Nathan Lane, Josephine Baker, Donald Gramm, and pianists, Earl Wild, Jean-Yves Thibaudet,...

  
• 06.27.2020

  A Program for Gay Pride Weekend

  For a special one-hour program beginning at 4:30pm, Larry showcases the talents of gay composers Gian Carlo Menotti, Reynaldo Hahn, and Michael Tippett. Also featured are Peter Pears, Nathan Lane, Josephine Baker, Donald Gramm, and pianists, Earl Wild, Jean-Yves Thibaudet,...

  
• 06.13.2020

  Things that Crawl, Swim, and Fly

  Fish swim, butterflies float, snakes slither, bees sting, and worms crawl in a most unusual program. Immersed in nature are Kathleen Battle, Gérard Souzay, Christa Ludwig, John McCormack, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Felicity Lott, and more.

  
• 06.13.2020

  Things that Crawl, Swim, and Fly

  Fish swim, butterflies float, snakes slither, bees sting, and worms crawl in a most unusual program. Immersed in nature are Kathleen Battle, Gérard Souzay, Christa Ludwig, John McCormack, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Felicity Lott, and more.

  
• 06.06.2020

  Coffee, Tea, Beer, or Wine?

  The bar is open and the choice is yours! Serving us are Jerry Hadley, Joan Morris, Carlo Bergonzi, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.

  
• 06.06.2020

  Coffee, Tea, Beer, or Wine?

  The bar is open. It’s your choice and served by Jerry Hadley, Joan Morris, Carlo Bergonzi, Ella Fitzgerald and more.

  
• 05.30.2020

  Play Gypsy, Dance Gypsy

  Gypsies have long been a favorite topic for composers. Hear delightful and melodic songs and arias sung by Leontyne Price, Conchita Supervía, Fritz Wunderlich, Angela Gheorghiu, Renata Tebaldi, and more.

  
• 05.30.2020

  Play Gypsy, Dance Gypsy

  Gypsies have long been a favorite topic for composers. Hear delightful and melodic songs and arias sung by Leontyne Price, Conchita Supervía, Fritz Wunderlich, Angela Gheorghiu, Renata Tebaldi, and more.

  
• 05.02.2020

  Here Comes the Sun

  Here is a program filled with sunshine for a spring day! Franco Corelli sings “’O sole mio” plus arias from Rigoletto, Romeo and Juliet, and May Night. Also spreading sunshine are Karita Mattila, Piotr Beczała, Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, and...

  
• 05.02.2020

  Here Comes the Sun

  Here is a program filled with sunshine for a March day. Franco Corelli sings O sole mio plus arias from Rigoletto, Romeo and Juliet and May Night. Also spreading sunshine are Karita Mattila, Piotr Beczala, Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi and...

  
• 04.25.2020

  Remembering Montserrat Caballé

  Larry offers a one‐hour memorial tribute to one of the most outstanding voices of our time. This master of legato and pianissimo will be heard in prominent roles from Norma, Louise, and La traviata as well as selections from Spanish...

  
• 04.25.2020

  Remembering Montserrat Caballé

  Larry offers a one‐hour memorial tribute to one of the most outstanding voices of our time. This master of legato and pianissimo will be heard in prominent roles from Norma, Louise, and La traviata as well as selections from Spanish...

  
• 04.18.2020

  Shadows and Fog

  Venture into a twilight world with Natalie Dessay singing the “Shadow Song” from Meyerbeer’s Dinorah. Peter Pears delves into the “Foggy, Foggy Dew” and Fred Astaire quite enjoys “A Foggy Day (In London Town).” All alone, Judy Garland offers a...

  
• 04.18.2020

  Shadows and Fog

  Venture into a twilight world with Natalie Dessay singing the “Shadow Song” from Meyerbeer’s Dinorah. Peter Pears delves into the “Foggy, Foggy Dew” and Fred Astaire quite enjoys “A Foggy Day (In London Town).” All alone, Judy Garland offers a...

  
• 04.11.2020

  Five Wagnerian Tenors

  Five tenors who are all acclaimed for their Wagner interpretations. Listen and enjoy Lauritz Melchior, Jon Vickers, Jess Thomas, Ben Heppner and Jonas Kaufmann.

  
• 04.11.2020

  Five Wagnerian Tenors

  Five tenors who are all acclaimed for their Wagner interpretations. Listen and enjoy Lauritz Melchior, Jon Vickers, Jess Thomas, Ben Heppner and Jonas Kaufmann.

  
• 04.04.2020

  Larry’s Favorite Recordings

  Often asked for his personal favorites, Larry shares a few choices sung by Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Bidu Sayão, Alfredo Kraus, and Leontyne Price.

  
• 07.20.2019

  Recalling the 1969 Moon Landing

  Larry recalls a half century since humankind first walked on the moon. In this hour-long program, Anna Netrebko sings the ‘Song to the Moon’ from Rusalka. Also heard are Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna as unrequited lovers in a moonlit...

  
• 07.13.2019

  A Program For Bastille Day

  How better to celebrate this French holiday than with the sparkling and effervescent music of Jacques Offenbach? Celebrants include Beverly Sills, Richard Tauber, Joan Sutherland, Jussi Björling, and more.

  
• 07.06.2019

  Four Operatic Quintets

  Operatic ensembles at their best from The Magic Flute, Un ballo in maschera, Carmen, and Die Meistersinger. Among the many artists heard are Victoria de los Ángeles, René Kollo, Shirley Verrett, Nicolai Gedda, and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.

  
• 06.29.2019

  A Program for Gay Pride Weekend

  For a special one-hour program beginning at 4:30pm, Larry showcases the talents of gay composers Gian Carlo Menotti, Reynaldo Hahn, and Michael Tippett. Also featured are Peter Pears, Nathan Lane, Josephine Baker, Donald Gramm, and pianists, Earl Wild, Jean-Yves Thibaudet,...

  
• 06.22.2019

  Death Scenes from French Opera

  Dorothy Kirsten welcomes death in Thaïs. Franco Corelli as Don José murders Leontyne Price as Carmen. Over the top melodrama abounds as Feodor Chaliapin succumbs as Don Quichotte.

  
• 06.15.2019

  Creator Recordings

  Larry presents truly historic recordings that include the first Lt. Pinkerton, Giovanni Zenatello, in Madama Butterfly. Then the first Marchallin in Der Rosenkavalier, Margarethe Siems. In Verdi’s first Falstaff, Victor Maurel is heard and Richard Tauber in Lehar’s The Land...

  
• 06.08.2019

  Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

  Lions, tigers, and bears are feared by Dorothy and her friends in The Wizard of Oz. This zoological program acknowledges not only lions, tigers, and bears, but also seals, dogs, swans, and more. Among those dropping by the zoo are...

  
• 06.01.2019

  The Art of Claudia Muzio

  This superb Italian soprano from the first half of the twentieth century is heard is some of her greatest roles in Tosca, Andrea Chénier, as well as a Chicago favorite, La traviata. There are songs also by Licinio Refice and...

  
• 05.25.2019

  The Art of Reynaldo Hahn

  The fascinating life and career of this French composer, conductor, accompanist, singer, and voice teacher will be explored in recordings by Victoria de los Ángeles and Maggie Teyte. Hahn will be heard performing his own songs and some delightful Offenbach...

  
• 05.18.2019

  A Program of Prayers

  Larry offers operatic prayers from Cavalleria rusticana and Der Freischütz. Then Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria,’ ‘Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,’ and the cowboy prayer, ‘Home on the Range.’ Artists include Angela Gheorghiu, the Robert Shaw Chorale, Elisabeth Grümmer, and...