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Recent Highlights

Saturday Afternoon at the Opera has ceased production on VPR.  VPR invites you to tune in to Saturday Matinee, featuring operas recorded live in concert from our colleagues at the WFMT Radio Network.  Listen Saturdays at 1:00pm.

Explore the Saturday Afternoon at the Opera Program Archive »

Recent Episodes

  • Die Walküre Saturday, 05/14/11 Noon James Levine conducts Die Walküre, the second opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, in the final Metropolitan Opera broadcast of the 2010-2011 season.
  • Violeta Urmana in the title role of StraussÕs ÒAriadne auf Naxos.Ó Ariadne auf Naxos Saturday, 05/07/11 12:58pm Violeta Urmana sings the title role in this live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos.
  • Marcelo çlvarez as Manrico and Sondra Radvanovsky as Leonora in VerdiÕs ÒIl Trovatore.Ó Il trovatore Saturday, 04/30/11 12:58pm Verdi's popular, tuneful Il trovatore is performed by Sondra Radvanovsky, Dolora Zajick, Marcelo Alvarez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, live from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
  • Capriccio Saturday, 04/23/11 12:58pm Renée Fleming is featured in Richard Strauss's last opera, Capriccio, live from the Metropolitan Opera House.
  • Wozzeck Saturday, 04/16/11 12:58pm Conductor James Levine has received rave reviews for his interpretation of Alban Berg's masterpiece Wozzeck, which we hear live from the Metropolitan Opera.
  • Le Comte Ory Saturday, 04/09/11 12:58pm

    Juan Diego Flórez portrays Le Comte Ory in this live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Rossini’s final comic opera.

  • Das Rheingold Saturday, 04/02/11 12:58pm Bryn Terfel portrays Wotan in the live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Das Rheingold, the first opera in Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen.
  • The Queen of Spades Saturday, 03/26/11 12:58pm

    Tchaikovsky's opera "The Queen of Spades" is heard live from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera - followed by our monthly Name-That-Singer Opera Quiz.

  • Lucia di Lammermoor Saturday, 03/19/11 12:58pm

    Natalie Dessay sings the title role in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", live from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

  • Boris Godunov Saturday, 03/12/11 Noon Mussorgsky's masterpiece Boris Godunov is performed live from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
  • Armida Saturday, 03/05/11 12:58pm Renée Fleming sings the title role in Rossini's bel canto showcase Armida, live from the Metropolitan Opera House.
  • Iphigénie en Tauride Saturday, 02/26/11 12:58pm Susan Graham and Placido Domingo start in this live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride.

About Saturday Afternoon at the Opera

Host Peter Fox Smith was on the air the very first day VPR began broadcasting August 13, 1977. He is beloved by many long time VPR listeners as well as staffers. Peter knows so much about opera...and is passionate about sharing his knowledge and enjoyment of this revered art form.

Not only does Peter introduce VPR listeners to new vocalists, but he also celebrates the masters, featuring historic and rare recordings.

He also frequently interviews opera personalities of the past and present for inclusion in the program.

VPR presents live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera during the Met Opera Season.

Explore the Saturday Afternoon at the Opera archive of playlists 

Peter Fox Smith Official Website