8:00 pm - At the Opera

9:00 pm - At the Opera

10:00 pm - At the Opera

11:00 pm - At the Opera

AT THE OPERA
The 19th century opera, Part 10
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep


Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Gaetano Rossi. First performed Turin, 1819.    

Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide, Act I    
[01:06:25]

Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide, Act II    
[59:13]

    SEMIRAMIDE: Deborah Riedel, sop
TAMIRI: Olga Peretyatko, sop
SCITALCE: Fiona Janes, mezz
IRCANO: Filippo Adami, ten
MIRTEO Wojtek Gierlach, bass
Marco Bellei, hpd; Altensteig Rossini Choir; Würtenberg PO/Richard Bonynge.tOTAL tIME: 2:05:06 
Naxos 8.660205-06 

    After the death of her husband, Semiramide, takes power as ruler of Babylon, by dressing as a man and pretending to be her weak son, Nino. She is presiding over a contest for the hand of Tamiri, the princess of a subject state whose husband must be chosen by Nino’s court. 
Before her marriage to the King of Babylon, Semiramide, as daughter of the King of Egypt, had tried to elope with Scitalce, an Indian prince, who had been told that she was unfaithful to him. He had stabbed her and left her for dead. He now is one of the contenders for the hand of Tamiri and is astonished to find Semiramide still alive. The other contenders are Semiramide's brother, who has not recognised her and wishes to avenge her supposed death by Scitalce, and a Scythian prince, Ircano. Mirteo, Semiramide’s younger borther, is also in love with Tamiri.
During the proceedings Semiramide, fearful of being exposed, reveals her identity and offers to stand down as ruler of Babylon. Her people acclaim her as Queen. She and Scitacle are reconciled and Tamiri accepts Mirteo. 

Rossini, G. Serbami ognor si fido, from Semiramide (1823).    Joan Sutherland, sop; Marilyn Horn, mezz; London SO/Richard Bonynge. 
Decca 448 594-2 [07:56]



22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by Paul Cooke
With Nena Beretin

Price, F. Violin concerto no 2 in D minor (1952).    Randall Goosby, vn; Philadelphia O/Yannick Nézet-Séguin. 
Decca 485 4234 [15:52]

Westlake, N. Jovian moons (2001/02).    Slava Grigoryan, gui; Michael Kieran Harvey, pf. 
ABC 476 574-4 [16:09]

Smalley, R. Trio (2001-02).    Darryl Poulsen, hn, Paul Wright, vn; Roger Smalley, pf. 
Melba MR 301112 [22:20]

Brouwer, L. Guitar concerto no 5, Helsinki (1991-92).    Timo Korhonen, gui; Tampere PO/Tuomas Ollila. 
Ondine ODE 979-2 [29:34]

AT THE OPERA The 19th century opera, Part 10 Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
 Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Gaetano Rossi. First performed Turin, 1819. &nbsp;&nbsp; Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:06:25] Meyerbeer, G. Semiramide, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [59:13] &nbsp;&nbsp; SEMIRAMIDE: Deborah Riedel, sop TAMIRI: Olga Peretyatko, sop SCITALCE: Fiona Janes, mezz IRCANO: Filippo Adami, ten MIRTEO Wojtek Gierlach, bass Marco Bellei, hpd; Altensteig Rossini Choir; W&uuml;rtenberg PO/Richard Bonynge.tOTAL tIME: 2:05:06 Naxos 8.660205-06 &nbsp;&nbsp; After the death of her husband, Semiramide, takes power as ruler of Babylon, by dressing as a man and pretending to be her weak son, Nino. She is presiding over a contest for the hand of Tamiri, the princess of a subject state whose husband must be chosen by Nino&rsquo;s court. Before her marriage to the King of Babylon, Semiramide, as daughter of the King of Egypt, had tried to elope with Scitalce, an Indian prince, who had been told that she was unfaithful to him. He had stabbed her and left her for dead. He now is one of the contenders for the hand of Tamiri and is astonished to find Semiramide still alive. The other contenders are Semiramide's brother, who has not recognised her and wishes to avenge her supposed death by Scitalce, and a Scythian prince, Ircano. Mirteo, Semiramide&rsquo;s younger borther, is also in love with Tamiri. During the proceedings Semiramide, fearful of being exposed, reveals her identity and offers to stand down as ruler of Babylon. Her people acclaim her as Queen. She and Scitacle are reconciled and Tamiri accepts Mirteo. Rossini, G. Serbami ognor si fido, from Semiramide (1823). &nbsp;&nbsp; Joan Sutherland, sop; Marilyn Horn, mezz; London SO/Richard Bonynge. Decca 448 594-2 [07:56] 
22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared by Paul Cooke With Nena Beretin
Price, F. Violin concerto no 2 in D minor (1952). &nbsp;&nbsp; Randall Goosby, vn; Philadelphia O/Yannick N&eacute;zet-S&eacute;guin. Decca 485 4234 [15:52] Westlake, N. Jovian moons (2001/02). &nbsp;&nbsp; Slava Grigoryan, gui; Michael Kieran Harvey, pf. ABC 476 574-4 [16:09] Smalley, R. Trio (2001-02). &nbsp;&nbsp; Darryl Poulsen, hn, Paul Wright, vn; Roger Smalley, pf. Melba MR 301112 [22:20] Brouwer, L. Guitar concerto no 5, Helsinki (1991-92). &nbsp;&nbsp; Timo Korhonen, gui; Tampere PO/Tuomas Ollila. Ondine ODE 979-2 [29:34]

A tradition of 40 years and more, At the Opera brings you favourite and lesser-known operas, in full.

A tradition of 40 years and more, At the Opera brings you favourite and lesser-known operas, in full.

At the Opera

At the Opera  1 October 2025

AT THE OPERA
Premiere anniversaries, Part 3
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep

Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra. Melodramma in four acts. Libretto by Marco d’Arienza. First performed Turin, 5 March 1876 (rev. Bernardo Ticci).    

Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act I    
[26:14]

Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act II    
[21:42]

Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act III    
[28:35]

Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act IV    
[28:39]

    CLEOPATRA: Dimitra Theodossiou, sop
MARC ANTONY: Allessandro Liberatore, ten
DIOMEDES: Sebastian Catana, bar
CAESAR: Paolo Pecchioli, bass
OCTAVIA: Tiziana Carraro, mezz
Marchigiana Ch & PO/ David Crescenzi.Total Time: 1:45:10 
Naxos 8.660291-92 

    Cleopatra has formed a liaison with Marc Antony causing her counsellor, Diomedes, to predict the downfall of Egypt. Antony has returned to Rome and Cleopatra learns that he is to marry Caesar’s sister, Octavia. Speeding to Rome, accompanied by Diomedes, Cleopatra confronts Antony after the wedding. Although he is still enamoured with Cleopatra, he rebuffs her.
Antony returns to Egypt and he and Cleopatra go to battle against Caesar. After losing the battle, Antony blames Cleopatra who now seeks an alliance with Caesar and a rekindling of their former love affair. When the news of Antony’s suicide reaches them, Caesar blames Cleopatra for Antony’s death and for ruining his marriage. He demands that she go to Rome but Cleopatra, knowing that she will be enslaved, calls for an asp and dies from its poison. 



22:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by James Nightingale
With Nena Beretin

Bonis, M. Le rêve de Cléopâtre; Ophélie; Salomé (c1909).    Toulouse Capitole NO/Leo Hussain. 
Palazzetto Bru Zane BZ 2006 [16:35]

Eötvös, M. Sonata no 2, A story from the sand dunes (2021).    Alex Raineri, pf. 
ABC ABCL 0093D [29:57]

Brouwer, M. Rhapsody, concerto (2009/21).    ORF Vienna RSO/Marin Alsop. 
Naxos 8.559933 [14:14]

Saariaho, K. Lichtbogen (1985-86).    Members of NEM/Lorraine Villacourt. 
Ummus UMM 102 [14:37]

Wilcox, F. Gouttes d'un sang étranger: Fragments I to IV (2014).    Jason Noble, cl; Daniel Yeadon, va da gamba. 
Move MD 3456 [08:01]

Chin, U. Cello concerto (2009/13).    Alban Gerhardt, vc. 
DG 481 0971 [28:07]

AT THE OPERA Premiere anniversaries, Part 3 Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra. Melodramma in four acts. Libretto by Marco d&rsquo;Arienza. First performed Turin, 5 March 1876 (rev. Bernardo Ticci). &nbsp;&nbsp; Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [26:14] Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [21:42] Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act III &nbsp;&nbsp; [28:35] Rossi, Lauro. Cleopatra, Act IV &nbsp;&nbsp; [28:39] &nbsp;&nbsp; CLEOPATRA: Dimitra Theodossiou, sop MARC ANTONY: Allessandro Liberatore, ten DIOMEDES: Sebastian Catana, bar CAESAR: Paolo Pecchioli, bass OCTAVIA: Tiziana Carraro, mezz Marchigiana Ch &amp; PO/ David Crescenzi.Total Time: 1:45:10 Naxos 8.660291-92 &nbsp;&nbsp; Cleopatra has formed a liaison with Marc Antony causing her counsellor, Diomedes, to predict the downfall of Egypt. Antony has returned to Rome and Cleopatra learns that he is to marry Caesar&rsquo;s sister, Octavia. Speeding to Rome, accompanied by Diomedes, Cleopatra confronts Antony after the wedding. Although he is still enamoured with Cleopatra, he rebuffs her. Antony returns to Egypt and he and Cleopatra go to battle against Caesar. After losing the battle, Antony blames Cleopatra who now seeks an alliance with Caesar and a rekindling of their former love affair. When the news of Antony&rsquo;s suicide reaches them, Caesar blames Cleopatra for Antony&rsquo;s death and for ruining his marriage. He demands that she go to Rome but Cleopatra, knowing that she will be enslaved, calls for an asp and dies from its poison. 
22:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared by James Nightingale With Nena Beretin
Bonis, M. Le r&ecirc;ve de Cl&eacute;op&acirc;tre; Oph&eacute;lie; Salom&eacute; (c1909). &nbsp;&nbsp; Toulouse Capitole NO/Leo Hussain. Palazzetto Bru Zane BZ 2006 [16:35] E&ouml;tv&ouml;s, M. Sonata no 2, A story from the sand dunes (2021). &nbsp;&nbsp; Alex Raineri, pf. ABC ABCL 0093D [29:57] Brouwer, M. Rhapsody, concerto (2009/21). &nbsp;&nbsp; ORF Vienna RSO/Marin Alsop. Naxos 8.559933 [14:14] Saariaho, K. Lichtbogen (1985-86). &nbsp;&nbsp; Members of NEM/Lorraine Villacourt. Ummus UMM 102 [14:37] Wilcox, F. Gouttes d'un sang &eacute;tranger: Fragments I to IV (2014). &nbsp;&nbsp; Jason Noble, cl; Daniel Yeadon, va da gamba. Move MD 3456 [08:01] Chin, U. Cello concerto (2009/13). &nbsp;&nbsp; Alban Gerhardt, vc. DG 481 0971 [28:07]

At the Opera  4 March 2026

AT THE OPERA
In exotic places, Part 2
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep

Vivaldi, A. Motezuma. Opera in three acts. Libretto by Luigi Giusti. First performed Venice, 1733.    

Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act I    
[01:11:04]

Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act II    
[01:03:43]

Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act III    
[54:09]

    FERNANDO: Maite Beaumont, mezz
MOTEZUMA: Vito Priante, bar
TEUTILE: Roberta Invernizzi, sop
RAMIRO: Romina Basso, mezz
MITRENA: Marijana Mijanović, cont
ASPRANO: Inga Kalna, sop
Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis.Total Time: 3:14:53 
Archiv 477 5996 

    Following a devastating defeat at the hands of the Spanish conquistador, Fernando Cortes, the Mexican ruler, Motezuma, is resolved to resist the Spanish invaders. To complicate matters his daughter, Teutile, is in love with Ramiro, Fernando’s brother. 
Motezuma’s wife, Mitrena, calls on the gods to protect Mexico against the Spanish tyrant and urges her fellow countrymen to rise up in revolt. The Mexican general, Asprano, reaffirms their willingness to fight. He announces that the oracle of the gods demands that Teutile and a Spaniard be sacrificed in order to restore peace to the country. Fernando Cortes is the Spaniard who must be sacrificed with Teutile. She gives orders for the tower in which Fernando is imprisoned to be set alight. Ramiro and his soldiers free Fernando from the tower and, when Motezuma discovers the door open and that the guards have been killed, he goes into the tower. Ramiro bolts the door behind him and leaves. Asprano sets the building on fire, when to his horror, he sees his emperor high up in the tower. In her despair, Mitrena resolves to take her own life but, suddenly, Motezuma appears, having escaped from the tower by means of a secret passage.
Fernando Cortes is celebrating his victory and tells the Mexicans that they now have a new emperor and new gods. He has won the throne, not for himself but for Spain, and announces his intention of returning to Spain. He will leave his brother, Ramiro, behind as a hostage after Ramiro and Teutile are married, declaring that this is what the oracle has demanded. Motezuma and Mitrena agree to the marriage and the people celebrate the lovers' union.




23:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared and presented by James Nightingale

Angulo, G. Sonata no 2.    Anton Baranov, gui. 
Naxos 8.573306 [11:02]

Ponce, M. Chapultepec (1929/34).    State of Mexico SO/Enrique Bátiz. 
ASV DCA 926 [14:42]

AT THE OPERA In exotic places, Part 2 Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
Vivaldi, A. Motezuma. Opera in three acts. Libretto by Luigi Giusti. First performed Venice, 1733. &nbsp;&nbsp; Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:11:04] Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:03:43] Vivaldi, A. Motezuma, Act III &nbsp;&nbsp; [54:09] &nbsp;&nbsp; FERNANDO: Maite Beaumont, mezz MOTEZUMA: Vito Priante, bar TEUTILE: Roberta Invernizzi, sop RAMIRO: Romina Basso, mezz MITRENA: Marijana Mijanović, cont ASPRANO: Inga Kalna, sop Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis.Total Time: 3:14:53 Archiv 477 5996 &nbsp;&nbsp; Following a devastating defeat at the hands of the Spanish conquistador, Fernando Cortes, the Mexican ruler, Motezuma, is resolved to resist the Spanish invaders. To complicate matters his daughter, Teutile, is in love with Ramiro, Fernando&rsquo;s brother. Motezuma&rsquo;s wife, Mitrena, calls on the gods to protect Mexico against the Spanish tyrant and urges her fellow countrymen to rise up in revolt. The Mexican general, Asprano, reaffirms their willingness to fight. He announces that the oracle of the gods demands that Teutile and a Spaniard be sacrificed in order to restore peace to the country. Fernando Cortes is the Spaniard who must be sacrificed with Teutile. She gives orders for the tower in which Fernando is imprisoned to be set alight. Ramiro and his soldiers free Fernando from the tower and, when Motezuma discovers the door open and that the guards have been killed, he goes into the tower. Ramiro bolts the door behind him and leaves. Asprano sets the building on fire, when to his horror, he sees his emperor high up in the tower. In her despair, Mitrena resolves to take her own life but, suddenly, Motezuma appears, having escaped from the tower by means of a secret passage. Fernando Cortes is celebrating his victory and tells the Mexicans that they now have a new emperor and new gods. He has won the throne, not for himself but for Spain, and announces his intention of returning to Spain. He will leave his brother, Ramiro, behind as a hostage after Ramiro and Teutile are married, declaring that this is what the oracle has demanded. Motezuma and Mitrena agree to the marriage and the people celebrate the lovers' union. 
23:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared and presented by James Nightingale
Angulo, G. Sonata no 2. &nbsp;&nbsp; Anton Baranov, gui. Naxos 8.573306 [11:02] Ponce, M. Chapultepec (1929/34). &nbsp;&nbsp; State of Mexico SO/Enrique B&aacute;tiz. ASV DCA 926 [14:42]

At the Opera  25 February 2026

 AT THE OPERA
Love triumphs, Part 2
Prepared and presented by Ian MacDonald

Rossini, G. The barber of Seville. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Cesare Sterbini, after Beaumarchais' Le Barbier de Séville. First performed Rome, 1816.    

Rossini, G. The barber of Seville, Act I    
[01:32:17]

Rossini, G. The barber of Seville, Act II    
[46:02]

    COUNT ALMAVIVA: Luigi Alva, ten
ROSINA: Teresa Berganza, mezz
DOCTOR BARTOLO: Enzo Dara, bar
FIGARO: Hermann Prey, bar
Ambrosian Opera Ch; London SO/Claudio Abbado.Total Time: 2:18:19 
DG 415 695-2 

    Count Almaviva, disguised as a servant Lindoro, serenades his love Rosina, the ward of Dr Bartolo, who plans to marry her for her dowry. His barber, Figaro, suggests that he get into Bartolo’s house by disguising himself as a soldier. He fails in this attempt but returns as assistant to Basilio, the singing-master. He shows Bartolo a letter supposedly to Almaviva from a mistress, which Bartolo thinks will inflame Rosina’s jealousy. She is upset but Almaviva reveals his true identity and his constancy and, with Figaro’s help, they elope before Bartolo discovers that he has been tricked. 

Rossini, G. Introduction; Aria; Duet, from Stabat Mater (1842).    Helen Field, sop; Della Jones, mezz; Arthur Davies, ten; Roderick Earl, bass; London Symphony Ch; City of Londond Sinfonia/Richard Hickox. 
Chandos CHAN 8780 [21:10]

Rossini, G. Comic duet for two cats (1816).    Elisabeth Söderström, sop; Kerstin Meyer, mezz; Jan Eyron, pf. 
BIS CD-17 [03:42]

Rossini, G. La regata Veneziana (c.1850)    Rossini, G. 
BIS CD-17 [04:19]



23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Staying in Seville
Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel

Albéniz, I. Sevilla, from Suite española, op 47 (1886; arr. Barrueco).    Andrew Blanch, gui. 
www.andrewblanch.com AB 2015 [05:43]

Turina, J. Women of Seville, op 89 (1935).    Jordi Masó, pf. 
Naxos 8.557684 [12:56]

Turina, J. Canto a Sevilla, op 37 (1927).    Maria Espanada, sop; BBC PO/Juanjo Mena. 
Chandos CHAN 10819 [37:19]

AT THE OPERA Love triumphs, Part 2 Prepared and presented by Ian MacDonald
Rossini, G. The barber of Seville. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Cesare Sterbini, after Beaumarchais' Le Barbier de S&eacute;ville. First performed Rome, 1816. &nbsp;&nbsp; Rossini, G. The barber of Seville, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:32:17] Rossini, G. The barber of Seville, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [46:02] &nbsp;&nbsp; COUNT ALMAVIVA: Luigi Alva, ten ROSINA: Teresa Berganza, mezz DOCTOR BARTOLO: Enzo Dara, bar FIGARO: Hermann Prey, bar Ambrosian Opera Ch; London SO/Claudio Abbado.Total Time: 2:18:19 DG 415 695-2 &nbsp;&nbsp; Count Almaviva, disguised as a servant Lindoro, serenades his love Rosina, the ward of Dr Bartolo, who plans to marry her for her dowry. His barber, Figaro, suggests that he get into Bartolo&rsquo;s house by disguising himself as a soldier. He fails in this attempt but returns as assistant to Basilio, the singing-master. He shows Bartolo a letter supposedly to Almaviva from a mistress, which Bartolo thinks will inflame Rosina&rsquo;s jealousy. She is upset but Almaviva reveals his true identity and his constancy and, with Figaro&rsquo;s help, they elope before Bartolo discovers that he has been tricked. Rossini, G. Introduction; Aria; Duet, from Stabat Mater (1842). &nbsp;&nbsp; Helen Field, sop; Della Jones, mezz; Arthur Davies, ten; Roderick Earl, bass; London Symphony Ch; City of Londond Sinfonia/Richard Hickox. Chandos CHAN 8780 [21:10] Rossini, G. Comic duet for two cats (1816). &nbsp;&nbsp; Elisabeth S&ouml;derstr&ouml;m, sop; Kerstin Meyer, mezz; Jan Eyron, pf. BIS CD-17 [03:42] Rossini, G. La regata Veneziana (c.1850) &nbsp;&nbsp; Rossini, G. BIS CD-17 [04:19] 
23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Staying in Seville Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel
Alb&eacute;niz, I. Sevilla, from Suite espa&ntilde;ola, op 47 (1886; arr. Barrueco). &nbsp;&nbsp; Andrew Blanch, gui. www.andrewblanch.com AB 2015 [05:43] Turina, J. Women of Seville, op 89 (1935). &nbsp;&nbsp; Jordi Mas&oacute;, pf. Naxos 8.557684 [12:56] Turina, J. Canto a Sevilla, op 37 (1927). &nbsp;&nbsp; Maria Espanada, sop; BBC PO/Juanjo Mena. Chandos CHAN 10819 [37:19]

At the Opera 1 October 2025

In 1 playlist(s)

At the Opera

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips