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
Favourites, Part 9
Prepared and presented by Anne-Louise Luccarini

Mozart, W. Cosí fan tutte. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. First performed Vienna, 1790.    

Mozart, W. Cosí fan tutte, Act I    
[01:22:05]

Mozart, W. Cosí fan tutte, Act II    
[01:17:56]

    FIORDILIGI: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, sop
DORABELLA: Nan Merriman, sop
FERRANDO: Léopold Simoneau, ten
GUGLIEMO: Rolando Panerai, bar
DON ALFONSO: Sesto Bruscantini, bar
DESPINA: Lisa Otto, sop
Philharmonia Ch & O/Herbert von Karajan. 
Naxos 8.111232/34 [02:40:01]

    Fiordiligi and Dorabella are engaged to Ferrando and Guglielmo and are passionately in love. Don Alfonso bets the two men that their fiancees would prove false to them if the opportunity were to be offered. The men pretend that they are ordered abroad but return in disguise to court the ladies. With Don Alfonso’s plotting and with the wiles of their servant, Despina, each lady yields to the other’s lover. The ruse is revealed, the lovers eventually make up. Don Alfonso has won his bet, affirming [Così fan tutte] (Women all do it). 



23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by James Nightingale
With Nena Beretin

Silvestrov, V. The messenger (1996).    Hélène Grimaud, pf; Camerata Salzburg. 
DG 483 7853 [10:27]

Bortkiewicz, S. Nocturne in E flat, op 24 no 1, Diana; Valse grotesque, op 24 no 2, Satyr; Impromptu in E flat, op 24 no 3, Eros (1922).    Jouni Somero, pf. 
FC-Records FCRCD-9736 [16:07]

Saariaho, K. Je sens un deuxième coeur (2003).    Gloria Cheng, pf; members of Calder Quartet. 
Harmonia Mundi HMU 907578 [16:43]

Schat, P. Serenade for strings, op 31 (1984).    Caecilia Consort; Bob van Asperen, hpd; David Porcelijn, cond. 
Babel 8844-2 [10:38]

AT THE OPERA Favourites, Part 9 Prepared and presented by Anne-Louise Luccarini
Mozart, W. Cos&iacute; fan tutte. Opera in two acts. Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. First performed Vienna, 1790. &nbsp;&nbsp; Mozart, W. Cos&iacute; fan tutte, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:22:05] Mozart, W. Cos&iacute; fan tutte, Act II &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:17:56] &nbsp;&nbsp; FIORDILIGI: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, sop DORABELLA: Nan Merriman, sop FERRANDO: L&eacute;opold Simoneau, ten GUGLIEMO: Rolando Panerai, bar DON ALFONSO: Sesto Bruscantini, bar DESPINA: Lisa Otto, sop Philharmonia Ch &amp; O/Herbert von Karajan. Naxos 8.111232/34 [02:40:01] &nbsp;&nbsp; Fiordiligi and Dorabella are engaged to Ferrando and Guglielmo and are passionately in love. Don Alfonso bets the two men that their fiancees would prove false to them if the opportunity were to be offered. The men pretend that they are ordered abroad but return in disguise to court the ladies. With Don Alfonso&rsquo;s plotting and with the wiles of their servant, Despina, each lady yields to the other&rsquo;s lover. The ruse is revealed, the lovers eventually make up. Don Alfonso has won his bet, affirming [Cos&igrave; fan tutte] (Women all do it). 
23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared by James Nightingale With Nena Beretin
Silvestrov, V. The messenger (1996). &nbsp;&nbsp; H&eacute;l&egrave;ne Grimaud, pf; Camerata Salzburg. DG 483 7853 [10:27] Bortkiewicz, S. Nocturne in E flat, op 24 no 1, Diana; Valse grotesque, op 24 no 2, Satyr; Impromptu in E flat, op 24 no 3, Eros (1922). &nbsp;&nbsp; Jouni Somero, pf. FC-Records FCRCD-9736 [16:07] Saariaho, K. Je sens un deuxi&egrave;me coeur (2003). &nbsp;&nbsp; Gloria Cheng, pf; members of Calder Quartet. Harmonia Mundi HMU 907578 [16:43] Schat, P. Serenade for strings, op 31 (1984). &nbsp;&nbsp; Caecilia Consort; Bob van Asperen, hpd; David Porcelijn, cond. Babel 8844-2 [10:38]

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  24 September 2025

AT THE OPERA
Mythis, legends and fantasy, Part 3
Prepared by Elaine Siversen
With Simon Target

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Molière’s Le bourgeois gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 1916.    

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Prologue    
[40:01]

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Act I    
[01:21:50]

    ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop
SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten
HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar
ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop
MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, voice
MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar
DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten
BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten 
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli.Total Time: 2:01:58 
Brilliant Classics 9084/1 

    There is a splendid dinner at the home of the richest man in Vienna. Two groups of artists arrive to entertain. One is a troup of [commedia dell’arte] characters, led by Zerbinetta and including Scaramouche and Harlequin. The other is an opera company, performing a new classical opera about Ariadne’s abandonment on Naxos. The troupes argue about how they can cut their scenes so that the fireworks can begin at 9pm. The classical composer refuses to cut. Then the Major Domo announces that the entertainments will be performed simultaneously. The Music Master and the Dancing Master try to make the cuts but are hindered by the squabbling for supremacy by the Prima Donna playing Ariadne, and the Tenor playing her rescuer, Bacchus. The entertainments finally begin. 

Strauss, R. Das Rosenband, op 36 no 1 (1897).    Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz; Bengt Forsberg, pf. 
DG 437 515-2 [03:46]

Glière, R. Concerto in F minor for coloratura soprano, op 82 (1943).    Natalie Dessay, sop; Berlin SO/Michael Schønwandt. 
EMI 5 56565 2 [14:15]

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Moliere’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 4 October 1916.    ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop COMPOSER: Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, speaker MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten LACKEY: Jürgen Commichau, bass OFFICER: Klaus Florian Vogt, ten THREE NYMPHS: Christiane Hossfeld, sop, Angela Liebold, contralto, Eva Kirchner, sop SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar Staatskapelle Dresden; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor. 
Brilliant Classics 9084/1 [02:01:58]



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

Moore, K. Broken rosary (2010).    Anna McMichael, vn; Tamara-Anna Cislowska, pf. 
Tall Poppies TP228 [05:35]

Takemitsu, T. From me flows what you call time.    Synergy; Sydney SO/Edo de Waart. 
ABC 454 516-2 [28:29]

Lloyd, G. Symphony no 7, Proserpine (1957-59; orch. 1974).    BBC Northern SO/Edward Downes. 
Lyrita REAM.1135 [50:18]

AT THE OPERA Mythis, legends and fantasy, Part 3 Prepared by Elaine Siversen With Simon Target
Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Moli&egrave;re&rsquo;s Le bourgeois gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 1916. &nbsp;&nbsp; Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Prologue &nbsp;&nbsp; [40:01] Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Act I &nbsp;&nbsp; [01:21:50] &nbsp;&nbsp; ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, voice MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli.Total Time: 2:01:58 Brilliant Classics 9084/1 &nbsp;&nbsp; There is a splendid dinner at the home of the richest man in Vienna. Two groups of artists arrive to entertain. One is a troup of [commedia dell&rsquo;arte] characters, led by Zerbinetta and including Scaramouche and Harlequin. The other is an opera company, performing a new classical opera about Ariadne&rsquo;s abandonment on Naxos. The troupes argue about how they can cut their scenes so that the fireworks can begin at 9pm. The classical composer refuses to cut. Then the Major Domo announces that the entertainments will be performed simultaneously. The Music Master and the Dancing Master try to make the cuts but are hindered by the squabbling for supremacy by the Prima Donna playing Ariadne, and the Tenor playing her rescuer, Bacchus. The entertainments finally begin. Strauss, R. Das Rosenband, op 36 no 1 (1897). &nbsp;&nbsp; Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz; Bengt Forsberg, pf. DG 437 515-2 [03:46] Gli&egrave;re, R. Concerto in F minor for coloratura soprano, op 82 (1943). &nbsp;&nbsp; Natalie Dessay, sop; Berlin SO/Michael Sch&oslash;nwandt. EMI 5 56565 2 [14:15] Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Moliere&rsquo;s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 4 October 1916. &nbsp;&nbsp; ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop COMPOSER: Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, speaker MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten LACKEY: J&uuml;rgen Commichau, bass OFFICER: Klaus Florian Vogt, ten THREE NYMPHS: Christiane Hossfeld, sop, Angela Liebold, contralto, Eva Kirchner, sop SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar Staatskapelle Dresden; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor. Brilliant Classics 9084/1 [02:01:58] 
22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Prepared by Paul Cooke With Nena Beretin
Moore, K. Broken rosary (2010). &nbsp;&nbsp; Anna McMichael, vn; Tamara-Anna Cislowska, pf. Tall Poppies TP228 [05:35] Takemitsu, T. From me flows what you call time. &nbsp;&nbsp; Synergy; Sydney SO/Edo de Waart. ABC 454 516-2 [28:29] Lloyd, G. Symphony no 7, Proserpine (1957-59; orch. 1974). &nbsp;&nbsp; BBC Northern SO/Edward Downes. Lyrita REAM.1135 [50:18]

At the Opera  11 March 2026

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 24 September 2025

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