Since the U.S. has been celebrating its beginnings this week, we thought we'd go back to ours. We hope you enjoy this throwback. And! Because we were in the holiday spirit, we added a little present for you at the end of the show. We hope you enjoy it. And that Tchaikovsky doesn't turn over too hard in his grave when you play it.

P.S., When we recorded this episode, Angela was indeed a "Schmidt." Now, she is a "Mitchell." As in, married to Brett Mitchell. As in, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. (And Episode 4 of our show.) And in addition to being a professional opera singer, Angela is Assistant Producer at WCLV. They are a classical music power couple, people. And some of our favorite humans. So, when you hear "Schmidt" in this episode, think "Mitchell." Kthx! ——————————————— In this episode, opera singer and classical music announcer Angela Mitchell talks about bel canto aria and sleepwalking, wrongly-accused hussies.

Angela Mitchell. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. Courtesy of the artist's website.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Angela Mitchell.

Music in this episode: – "La Sonnambula" ("The Sleepwalker") by Vincenzo Bellini.

For more about Angela Mitchell: www.angelamitchellsoprano.com

Thumbnail image of Angela as Nanetta in Verdi's Falstaff courtesy of Angela's website.