VPR Program: Saturday Afternoon at the Opera

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday on VPR Classical

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Simon Boccanegra with Plácido, Peter and Cheryl Saturday, 02/06/10 Noon This weekend Plácido Domingo makes his much-anticipated baritone debut in the title role of Giuseppe Verdi's politically-charged Simon Boccanegra. Peter Fox Smith and Cheryl Willoughby host the opera, and share an afternoon of their new and favorite operatic recordings.
Stiffelio Saturday, 01/30/10 12:34pm The Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Verdi's Stiffelio is preceded by a recital by tenor Placido Domingo, who is the conductor of this afternoon's opera.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Vanessa Saturday, 01/23/10 12:30pm This afternoon's Metropolitan Opera broadcast is a performance from the Met's Archives: Samuel Barber's Vanessa with Eleanor Steber, recorded on February 1, 1958.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Carmen Saturday, 01/16/10 12:58pm Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča portrays the title role in the live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Bizet’s Carmen.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Der Rosenkavalier with Renee Fleming Saturday, 01/09/10 Noon The Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier is preceded by a recital by soprano Renee Fleming.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Hansel and Gretel Saturday, 01/02/10 1pm The live Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel is followed by a vintage recording of Die Kluge by Carl Orff.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Elektra Saturday, 12/26/09 1pm Richard Strauss's riveting one-act opera Elektra is heard live from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, with Susan Bullock, Deborah Voigt, and Felicity Palmer.
Saturday Afternoon at the Opera: Tales of Hoffmann Saturday, 12/19/09 1pm This afternoon's Met broadcast of Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann features soprano Anna Netrebko and is conducted by James Levine.
MET Broadcast Opener Saturday, 12/12/09 12:28pm VPR Classical is pleased to be your home for the Metropolitan Opera, and the new season starts this weekend! Listen Saturday afternoon at 12:30 as the Met presents Puccini's Il trittico (The Triptych), featuring New Hampshire native Patricia Racette in the leading role for all three operas.
Saturday Afternoon At The Opera: 5 One-Act Operas Saturday, 12/05/09 1pm We hear short operas by Maurice Ravel, Emmanuel Chabrier, Thomas Arne, Francis Poulec, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
La Clemenza Di Tito Saturday, 11/28/09 1pm Among Mozart's last compositions were the opera La clemenza di Tito and the Requiem.
Saturday Afternoon At The Opera: Norma Saturday, 11/21/09 12:59pm Bellini's masterpiece Norma is performed by a cast that includes Maria Callas in the title role.

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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.

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