handelmania's Podcast

Slezak's international career commenced in London at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he sang Siegfried (a punishing role that he would soon drop from his repertoire) and Lohengrin in 1900. (He would return to Covent Garden in 1909 after undertaking further vocal studies in Paris the previous year with a great tenor of a previous era, Jean de Reszke.)

Slezak secured a three-year contract with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1909. Met audiences acclaimed him in performances of works by Wagner and Verdi. Along with Italy's Giovanni Zenatello, he became the most famous Otello of his generation, famously performing the role at the Met with Arturo Toscanini conducting.

He was a convivial person, and many anecdotes reveal his amiable sense of humour. The best-known example is as follows: during a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, a stage hand sent the swan out too early, before the tenor could hop aboard. Seeing his feathered transportation disappear into the wings, Slezak ad-libbed to the audience: "Wann fährt der nächste Schwan?" ("When does the next swan leave?").

Slezak had a versatile repertory which embraced 66 roles. They included notably Rossini's Guillaume Tell, Manrico, Radames, Walter, Tannhäuser, Hermann and, as we have seen, Otello and Lohengrin. He sang 44 roles in Vienna alone, where he chalked up 936 appearances in 1901-12 and 1917–27 and became an idol of audiences.

Dame Blanche,Euryanthe,Queen of Sheba

Hope this works!! Have had computer disasters!!!

Lucrezia Bori was a very famous singer. Her name I think was Borgia, and I would not have wanted to eat at her house!

 Here are live scenes from La Rondine w.Mario Chamlee (1934 Chicago), and Manon (1936 Met) with Richard Crooks.   

Hope I can do many more podcasts,before you get frustrated!

On occasion, a brilliant artist comes along and thrills audiences all over the globe. Here are three excerpts from tenor Bryan Hymel's Album entitled "Heroique."

The operas are: Vepres Siciliennes, Les Troyens (where he made a Met debut on short notice and was a sensation. See Youtube), and Queen of Sheba.

 Buy the whole album!!!!  As usual, I only give you excerpts, since I  would not want him to lose royalties. He is too nice a guy!

Mr.Bo Rydberg suggested a podcast on the famous Swedish singers, some of whom I have enjoyed live.(Star next to those I saw at the Met.) Some are fabulous LEGENDS in the history of the vocal art.

1. Karen Branzell (mezzo) Walkure act 3 scene

 2. Ivar Andresen Huguenots aria

 3. Kerstin Thorborg  Delilah act 2 scene

 4. Sven Nilsson   Onegin  Gremin aria

5. Fanal (Atterberg) Finale, Bjoerling, Berglund,Gorlin

6. Medeltida (Rangstrom)* Svanholm sings the ballad

7. Joel Berglund  Meistersinger Fliedermonolog

8.Hjoerdis Schymberg (Pronounced "Schimbarri") Flute aria

9. Gertrude Wetergren   Ballo Ulrica aria

10. Torsten Ralf  Lohengrin aria

11. Nicolai Gedda   Postillon aria

12. Ingvar Wixell and Bust Margit Jonsson in Flute duet

  More to come!! Guess who????

I present the magnificent tenor, Piotr Beczala, in arias from Werther, Le Cid, La Favorite, and Romeo et Juliette.

 Few tenors in my opera experience have thrilled me as much, and in addition he is the sweetest human being one could know.

 I did not give you the entire album, because if you don't buy it, he loses royalties.(I think!)

Gotterdamering Exc, from 1955 Covent Garden with Set Svanholm, Margaret Harshaw,Herman Uhde, Dezso Ernster AND young Joan Sutherland as Woglinde!!    Fritz Stiedry Conducts.

I DID A PODCAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

500 more to come!!!

Nadezna Kniplova and Frida Leider in the Walkure Battle Cry.

See, I am learning (again) how to do podcasts for you. Windows 10 must be learned, but I am progressing.

    Love  Charlie..Non mi lasciate!!!!!

HEY!!!!!

First test for my new Windows 10. Joel Berglund singing Tannhauser aria. I hope now finally to get audio podcasts back for YOU!!!!!!

When Antonietta Stella made her Met debut in 1956 Aida (also Bergonzi's debut),I felt guilty because I loved her more in this role than Zinka!!!

It was a luscious voice and onstage she was so beautiful. Here are scenes from Aida,Tosca,Butterfly, Vespri,Ernani, Trovatore.....and I hope you enjoy them.

Note: I may have repeated Tosca aria.