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AT THE OPERA
Favourites, Part 10
Prepared and presented by Ian MacDonald



Bellini, V. Norma. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Felice Romani after the tragedy, Norma ou L'infanticide by Alexandre Soumet. First performed Milan, 1831.    

    NORMA: Joan Sutherland, sop
POLLIONE: John Alexnder, ten
ADALGISA: Marilyn Horne, mezz
London Symphony Ch & O/Richard Bonynge. 
Decca 289 470 413 2 [02:42:00]

    The Gallic priestess, Norma, loves the Roman, Pollione, and has borne him two children. Pollione now loves Adalgisa and seeks to elope with her to Rome. Adalgisa confesses her love to Norma and begs to be relieved of her vows. Norma confesses her own love to Adalgisa and begs her to flee with Pollione and the children. Pollione is arrested in the temple and Norma resolves to offer him as a sacrifice to the goddess. She confesses her guilt before all and seeks purification on the funeral pyre. Pollione is overwhelmed by her devotion. Norma gives her children to her father and, hand in hand, she and her lover walk into the flames. 

Bellini, V. La farfalletta; Vanne o rosa fortunato (1863).    Dennis O'Neill, ten; Ingrid Surgenor, pf. 
Collins 15072 [04:10]



23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Namouna
Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel



Lalo, E. Ballet: Namouna (1882).    Monte Carlo PO/David Robertson. 
Auvidis V 4677 [56:00]

AT THE OPERA Favourites, Part 10 Prepared and presented by Ian MacDonald
 Bellini, V. Norma. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Felice Romani after the tragedy, Norma ou L'infanticide by Alexandre Soumet. First performed Milan, 1831. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; NORMA: Joan Sutherland, sop POLLIONE: John Alexnder, ten ADALGISA: Marilyn Horne, mezz London Symphony Ch &amp; O/Richard Bonynge. Decca 289 470 413 2 [02:42:00] &nbsp;&nbsp; The Gallic priestess, Norma, loves the Roman, Pollione, and has borne him two children. Pollione now loves Adalgisa and seeks to elope with her to Rome. Adalgisa confesses her love to Norma and begs to be relieved of her vows. Norma confesses her own love to Adalgisa and begs her to flee with Pollione and the children. Pollione is arrested in the temple and Norma resolves to offer him as a sacrifice to the goddess. She confesses her guilt before all and seeks purification on the funeral pyre. Pollione is overwhelmed by her devotion. Norma gives her children to her father and, hand in hand, she and her lover walk into the flames. Bellini, V. La farfalletta; Vanne o rosa fortunato (1863). &nbsp;&nbsp; Dennis O'Neill, ten; Ingrid Surgenor, pf. Collins 15072 [04:10] 
23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Namouna Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel
 Lalo, E. Ballet: Namouna (1882). &nbsp;&nbsp; Monte Carlo PO/David Robertson. Auvidis V 4677 [56:00]

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  22 October 2025

AT THE OPERA
Favourites, Part 13
Prepared by Elaine Siversen
With Jules Laurent



Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, K492. Opera in four acts. Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, after Beaumarchais. First performed Vienna, 1786.    

Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act I    
[45:20]

Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act II    
[47:54]

Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act III    
[41:36]

Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act IV    
[42:55]

    FIGARO: Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass-bar
SUSANNA: Taryn Feibig, sop
COUNT ALMAVIVA: Peter Coleman-Wright, bar
CHERUBINO: Sian Pendry, mezz
COUNTESS ALMAVIVA: Rachelle Durkin, sop
BARBARINA: Claire Lyon, singer/actress
MARCELLINA: Jacqueline Dark, mezz
Opera Australia Ch; Australian Opera and Ballet O/Patrick Summers.Total Time: 2:57:46 
Opera Australia OPOZ56003CD 

    Figaro and Susanna, servants of Count Almaviva, are to be married but Susanna suspects the Count wants to seduce her. Cherubino, a page, tells Susanna he loves women, especially the Countess. When the Count arrives to proposition Susanna, Cherubino hides, but is found by the Count. The Count punishes Cherubino by sending him to his regiment, but the Countess and Susanna disguise him as a girl so he can stay with his girlfriend Barbarina. When they hear the Count arrive, Cherubino hides in a closet. The Count, suspicious of his wife, determines to open the door, but Susanna manages to change places with Cherubino. Marcellina, a housekeeper, alleges that Figaro borrowed money from her on a promise of marriage but is found to be to be Figaro's mother. Eventually, the Count sees the problems of his flirtations and Figaro and Susanna are married at last. 

Mozart, W. Madamina, il catalogo è questo; Deh, vieni alla finestra, from Don Giovanni, K527 (1787).    Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass-bar; Tasmanian SO/Ola Rudner. 
ABC 472 826-2 [08:19]

Massenet, J. Thaïs, c’est toi, from Thaïs (1894).    Cheryl Barker, sop; Peter Coleman-Wright, bar; Tasmanian SO/Martin André. 
ABC 465 699-2 [05:11]



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

Pelēcis, G. Concertino bianco (1990).    Tamara-Anna Cislowska, pf; Tasmanian SO/Johannes Fritzsch. 
ABC 481 6295 [15:27]

Yoshimatsu, T. White landscapes, op 47a (1991/97).    Manchester Camerata/Sachio Fujioka. 
Chandos CHAN 9652 [09:33]

AT THE OPERA Favourites, Part 13 Prepared by Elaine Siversen With Jules Laurent
 Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, K492. Opera in four acts. Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, after Beaumarchais. First performed Vienna, 1786. &nbsp;&nbsp; Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [45:20] Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [47:54] Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act III &nbsp;&nbsp; [41:36] Mozart, W. The marriage of Figaro, Act IV &nbsp;&nbsp; [42:55] &nbsp;&nbsp; FIGARO: Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass-bar SUSANNA: Taryn Feibig, sop COUNT ALMAVIVA: Peter Coleman-Wright, bar CHERUBINO: Sian Pendry, mezz COUNTESS ALMAVIVA: Rachelle Durkin, sop BARBARINA: Claire Lyon, singer/actress MARCELLINA: Jacqueline Dark, mezz Opera Australia Ch; Australian Opera and Ballet O/Patrick Summers.Total Time: 2:57:46 Opera Australia OPOZ56003CD &nbsp;&nbsp; Figaro and Susanna, servants of Count Almaviva, are to be married but Susanna suspects the Count wants to seduce her. Cherubino, a page, tells Susanna he loves women, especially the Countess. When the Count arrives to proposition Susanna, Cherubino hides, but is found by the Count. The Count punishes Cherubino by sending him to his regiment, but the Countess and Susanna disguise him as a girl so he can stay with his girlfriend Barbarina. When they hear the Count arrive, Cherubino hides in a closet. The Count, suspicious of his wife, determines to open the door, but Susanna manages to change places with Cherubino. Marcellina, a housekeeper, alleges that Figaro borrowed money from her on a promise of marriage but is found to be to be Figaro's mother. Eventually, the Count sees the problems of his flirtations and Figaro and Susanna are married at last. Mozart, W. Madamina, il catalogo &egrave; questo; Deh, vieni alla finestra, from Don Giovanni, K527 (1787). &nbsp;&nbsp; Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass-bar; Tasmanian SO/Ola Rudner. ABC 472 826-2 [08:19] Massenet, J. Tha&iuml;s, c&rsquo;est toi, from Tha&iuml;s (1894). &nbsp;&nbsp; Cheryl Barker, sop; Peter Coleman-Wright, bar; Tasmanian SO/Martin Andr&eacute;. ABC 465 699-2 [05:11] 
23:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared and presented by James Nightingale
Pelēcis, G. Concertino bianco (1990). &nbsp;&nbsp; Tamara-Anna Cislowska, pf; Tasmanian SO/Johannes Fritzsch. ABC 481 6295 [15:27] Yoshimatsu, T. White landscapes, op 47a (1991/97). &nbsp;&nbsp; Manchester Camerata/Sachio Fujioka. Chandos CHAN 9652 [09:33]

At the Opera  31 December 2025

AT THE OPERA
Favourites, Part 12
Prepared by Elaine Siversen
With Ian MacDonald



Verdi, G. Falstaff. Opera in three acts. Libretto by Arrigo Boito, after Shakespeare. First performed Milan, 1893.    

Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act I    
[29:56]

Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act II    
[41:57]

Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act III    
[43:23]

    SIR JOHN FALSTAFF: Geraint Evans, bar
MISTRESS ALICE FORD: Ilva Ligabue, sop
MISTRESS MEG PAGE: Rosalind Elias, mezz
NANETTE: Mirella Freni, sop
MISTRESS QUICKLY: Giulietta Simionato, mezz
BARDOLPH: Piero de Palma, ten
PISTOL: Giovanni Foiani, bass
MR. FORD: Robert Merrill, bar
DR. CAJUS: John Lanigan, ten
FENTON: Alfredo Kraus, ten
RCA Italiana Opera Ch & O/Georg Solti.Total Time: 1:55:13 
Decca 478 3705 

    Sir John Falstaff plans to acquire money by wooing two wealthy matrons, Alice Ford and Meg Page. He sends identical love letters to them. They, Alice’s daughter, Nanette, and their friend, Mistress Quickly, decide to punish Falstaff by arranging a rendezvous between Alice and Falstaff. Bardolph and Pistol tell Mr. Ford of Falstaff's plan and he believes his wife is unfaithful. When Falstaff attempts to woo Alice, Mistress Quickly announces Meg's arrival. Falstaff hides behind a screen. When Ford arrives to search the house, the women hide Falstaff in a hamper of dirty laundry which they throw out of the window.
Another meeting is arranged between Alice and Falstaff at midnight in Windsor Park. He is to dress as the antlered Black Hunter. The other women will dress as spirits. Mistress Quickly overhears Ford promise to wed his daughter Nanette to Dr. Caius that night and that she will be dressed as the Fairy Queen. However, Nanette loves Fenton.
Falstaff meets Alice in the moonlit park. The spirits rush in and torment Falstaff and he begs for mercy. When the joke is over, he says it was well deserved. Ford then announces that he will marry Dr. Cajus to the Fairy Queen and a second couple asks to be married. After the weddings, he learns that Bardolph has changed into the Fairy Queen’s costume and the second couple was Fenton and Nanette. Knowing that he was not the only one tricked, Falstaff proclaims it a good jest and everyone shares a hearty laugh. 

Bizet, G. In the depths of the temple, from The pearl fishers (1863).    Jussi Björling, ten; Robert Merrill, bar; RCA Victor SO/Renato Cellini. 
RCA GD 87799 [04:34]

Rossini, G. Selva opaca, from William Tell (1829).    Mirella Freni, sop; National PO/Riccardo Chailly. 
Decca 440 844-2 [09:02]

Puccini, G. Che gelida manina, from La bohème (1896).    Alfredo Kraus, ten; National PO/James Levine. 
EMI CDC 7 49929 2 [04:59]

Puccini, G. Quando m'en vo'soletta (Musetta.s Waltz song), from La bohème (1896)La boheeeeee    Amelia Farrugia, sop., BBC SO; Alexander Briger, conductor 
Decca 987 5237 [02:31]



22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by Paul Cooke
With James Nightingale

Korngold, E. Excerpts from The Snowman (1908; orch. 1910 Zemlinsky).    Peter Manning, vn; BBC PO/Matthias Bamert. 
Chandos CHAN 9631 [23:20]

Messiaen, O. Regard de la Vierge; Le baiser de l'Enfant Jésus; Regard de l'esprit de joie, from Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (1944).    Angela Hewitt, pf. 
Hyperion CDA67054 [27:59]

Penderecki, K. Symphony no 2, Christmas (1980).    Polish Sinfonia Iuventus O/Krzysztof Penderecki. 
Dux 0897-0901 [33:25]

AT THE OPERA Favourites, Part 12 Prepared by Elaine Siversen With Ian MacDonald
 Verdi, G. Falstaff. Opera in three acts. Libretto by Arrigo Boito, after Shakespeare. First performed Milan, 1893. &nbsp;&nbsp; Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [29:56] Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [41:57] Verdi, G. Falstaff, Act III &nbsp;&nbsp; [43:23] &nbsp;&nbsp; SIR JOHN FALSTAFF: Geraint Evans, bar MISTRESS ALICE FORD: Ilva Ligabue, sop MISTRESS MEG PAGE: Rosalind Elias, mezz NANETTE: Mirella Freni, sop MISTRESS QUICKLY: Giulietta Simionato, mezz BARDOLPH: Piero de Palma, ten PISTOL: Giovanni Foiani, bass MR. FORD: Robert Merrill, bar DR. CAJUS: John Lanigan, ten FENTON: Alfredo Kraus, ten RCA Italiana Opera Ch &amp; O/Georg Solti.Total Time: 1:55:13 Decca 478 3705 &nbsp;&nbsp; Sir John Falstaff plans to acquire money by wooing two wealthy matrons, Alice Ford and Meg Page. He sends identical love letters to them. They, Alice&rsquo;s daughter, Nanette, and their friend, Mistress Quickly, decide to punish Falstaff by arranging a rendezvous between Alice and Falstaff. Bardolph and Pistol tell Mr. Ford of Falstaff's plan and he believes his wife is unfaithful. When Falstaff attempts to woo Alice, Mistress Quickly announces Meg's arrival. Falstaff hides behind a screen. When Ford arrives to search the house, the women hide Falstaff in a hamper of dirty laundry which they throw out of the window. Another meeting is arranged between Alice and Falstaff at midnight in Windsor Park. He is to dress as the antlered Black Hunter. The other women will dress as spirits. Mistress Quickly overhears Ford promise to wed his daughter Nanette to Dr. Caius that night and that she will be dressed as the Fairy Queen. However, Nanette loves Fenton. Falstaff meets Alice in the moonlit park. The spirits rush in and torment Falstaff and he begs for mercy. When the joke is over, he says it was well deserved. Ford then announces that he will marry Dr. Cajus to the Fairy Queen and a second couple asks to be married. After the weddings, he learns that Bardolph has changed into the Fairy Queen&rsquo;s costume and the second couple was Fenton and Nanette. Knowing that he was not the only one tricked, Falstaff proclaims it a good jest and everyone shares a hearty laugh. Bizet, G. In the depths of the temple, from The pearl fishers (1863). &nbsp;&nbsp; Jussi Bj&ouml;rling, ten; Robert Merrill, bar; RCA Victor SO/Renato Cellini. RCA GD 87799 [04:34] Rossini, G. Selva opaca, from William Tell (1829). &nbsp;&nbsp; Mirella Freni, sop; National PO/Riccardo Chailly. Decca 440 844-2 [09:02] Puccini, G. Che gelida manina, from La boh&egrave;me (1896). &nbsp;&nbsp; Alfredo Kraus, ten; National PO/James Levine. EMI CDC 7 49929 2 [04:59] Puccini, G. Quando m'en vo'soletta (Musetta.s Waltz song), from La boh&egrave;me (1896)La boheeeeee &nbsp;&nbsp; Amelia Farrugia, sop., BBC SO; Alexander Briger, conductor Decca 987 5237 [02:31] 
22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared by Paul Cooke With James Nightingale
Korngold, E. Excerpts from The Snowman (1908; orch. 1910 Zemlinsky). &nbsp;&nbsp; Peter Manning, vn; BBC PO/Matthias Bamert. Chandos CHAN 9631 [23:20] Messiaen, O. Regard de la Vierge; Le baiser de l'Enfant J&eacute;sus; Regard de l'esprit de joie, from Vingt regards sur l&rsquo;Enfant-J&eacute;sus (1944). &nbsp;&nbsp; Angela Hewitt, pf. Hyperion CDA67054 [27:59] Penderecki, K. Symphony no 2, Christmas (1980). &nbsp;&nbsp; Polish Sinfonia Iuventus O/Krzysztof Penderecki. Dux 0897-0901 [33:25]

At the Opera  24 December 2025

AT THE OPERA
Anniversaries, Part 12
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep



Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe. Opera in one act. Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky. First performed St Petersburg, 18 December1892.    

Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe, Part 1    
[41:10]

Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe, Part 2    
[46:23]

    KING RENÉ: Yevgeny Nestorenko, bass
IOLANTHE: Tamara Sorokina, sop
ROBERT: Yuri Mazurok, bar
EARL VODEMONT: Vladimir Atlantov, ten
Bolshoi Theatre Ch & O/Mark Ermler.Total Time: 1:27:33 
LP Melodiya C10-08343-6 

    King René’s daughter, Iolanthe, is unaware that she is blind as all around her are sworn to secrecy and no stranger is allowed into the castle. She normally lives a happy life but recently has been disturbed by a vague inexplicable desire, is sad and cries often. A famous doctor is called who says that he can cure her but Iolanthe needs to be told of her blindness and to have the desire to have sight but the king forbids it.
Two knights, Robert and Vodemont, enter the castle garden, having lost thteir way. Robert was betrothed to Iolanthe when they were children but he is seeking the king to have the bethrothal dissolved as he loves another. Vodemont comes upon the sleeping Iolanthe and is infatuated with her beauty. She wakes and his excitement evokes a response in her. As Vodemont is saying goodbye to her, he asks her to pick a red rose for him but when she offers him a white rose, he realises that she is blind. He tells her how beautiful the light is and Iolanthe listens in ecstasy. They fall in love.
The king becomes angry that the secret has been revealed but the doctor says it is now possible to cure Iolanthe. She regains her sight and everyone glorifies the light as the source of life and knowledge. 

Tchaikovsky, P. Waltz of the flowers, from The nutcracker, op 71 (1892).    Royal PO/Vladimir Ashkenazy. 
RPO RPO 8021 [07:37]

Rachmaninov, S. Vocalise, op 34 no 14 (1912).    Olga Peretyatko, sop; Ural PO/Dmitry Liss.. 
Sony 88985352232 [06:09]

Stokowski, L. Traditional Slavic Christmas music (1933).    Bournemouth SO/José Serebrier. 
Naxos 8.557645 [03:18]



22:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared and presented by James Nightingale

Stravinsky, I. Ballet: Le baiser de la fée (1928/50).    Cleveland O/Oliver Knussen. 
DG 479 4650 [43:37]

Prokofiev, S. Sonata in C, op 119 (1949).    Zoe Knighton, vc; Amir Farid, pf. 
Move MD 3390 [27:40]

Gubaidulina, S. Duo sonata (1977).    Claude Delangle, sax; Damien Royannais, sax. 
BIS CD-765 [11:13]

Norgård, P. Symphony no 6, At the end of the day (1999).    Oslo PO/John Storgards. 
Dacapo 6.220645 [31:15]

AT THE OPERA Anniversaries, Part 12 Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
 Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe. Opera in one act. Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky. First performed St Petersburg, 18 December1892. &nbsp;&nbsp; Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe, Part 1 &nbsp;&nbsp; [41:10] Tchaikovsky, P. Iolanthe, Part 2 &nbsp;&nbsp; [46:23] &nbsp;&nbsp; KING REN&Eacute;: Yevgeny Nestorenko, bass IOLANTHE: Tamara Sorokina, sop ROBERT: Yuri Mazurok, bar EARL VODEMONT: Vladimir Atlantov, ten Bolshoi Theatre Ch &amp; O/Mark Ermler.Total Time: 1:27:33 LP Melodiya C10-08343-6 &nbsp;&nbsp; King Ren&eacute;&rsquo;s daughter, Iolanthe, is unaware that she is blind as all around her are sworn to secrecy and no stranger is allowed into the castle. She normally lives a happy life but recently has been disturbed by a vague inexplicable desire, is sad and cries often. A famous doctor is called who says that he can cure her but Iolanthe needs to be told of her blindness and to have the desire to have sight but the king forbids it. Two knights, Robert and Vodemont, enter the castle garden, having lost thteir way. Robert was betrothed to Iolanthe when they were children but he is seeking the king to have the bethrothal dissolved as he loves another. Vodemont comes upon the sleeping Iolanthe and is infatuated with her beauty. She wakes and his excitement evokes a response in her. As Vodemont is saying goodbye to her, he asks her to pick a red rose for him but when she offers him a white rose, he realises that she is blind. He tells her how beautiful the light is and Iolanthe listens in ecstasy. They fall in love. The king becomes angry that the secret has been revealed but the doctor says it is now possible to cure Iolanthe. She regains her sight and everyone glorifies the light as the source of life and knowledge. Tchaikovsky, P. Waltz of the flowers, from The nutcracker, op 71 (1892). &nbsp;&nbsp; Royal PO/Vladimir Ashkenazy. RPO RPO 8021 [07:37] Rachmaninov, S. Vocalise, op 34 no 14 (1912). &nbsp;&nbsp; Olga Peretyatko, sop; Ural PO/Dmitry Liss.. Sony 88985352232 [06:09] Stokowski, L. Traditional Slavic Christmas music (1933). &nbsp;&nbsp; Bournemouth SO/Jos&eacute; Serebrier. Naxos 8.557645 [03:18] 
22:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared and presented by James Nightingale
Stravinsky, I. Ballet: Le baiser de la f&eacute;e (1928/50). &nbsp;&nbsp; Cleveland O/Oliver Knussen. DG 479 4650 [43:37] Prokofiev, S. Sonata in C, op 119 (1949). &nbsp;&nbsp; Zoe Knighton, vc; Amir Farid, pf. Move MD 3390 [27:40] Gubaidulina, S. Duo sonata (1977). &nbsp;&nbsp; Claude Delangle, sax; Damien Royannais, sax. BIS CD-765 [11:13] Norg&aring;rd, P. Symphony no 6, At the end of the day (1999). &nbsp;&nbsp; Oslo PO/John Storgards. Dacapo 6.220645 [31:15]

At the Opera 22 October 2025

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