32 min listen
Werther: Massenet's Lovelorn Hero
FromHe Sang/She Sang
ratings:
Length:
45 minutes
Released:
Mar 1, 2017
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
When Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther was published in 1774, it became an overnight sensation. Men wore yellow waistcoats and leather breeches to look like the novel's lovelorn hero, they carried vials of their own tears to display the depth of their feelings, and they even killed themselves in solidarity with the title character. The story of passionate, unrequited love was equally resonant when Jules Massenet's opera premiered a century later, and the glorious music is still just as heart-rending today.
On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight.
Kuslan's first YouTube pick (Tatiana Troyanos, 1982):
Kuslan's second YouTube pick (Christa Ludwig and Franco Corelli, 1971):
Spurgeon's YouTube pick (Lisette Oropesa and Jonas Kaufmann):
This episode features excerpts from the following album:
Massenet: Werther (Philips, 1981)— José Carreras, tenor; Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Isobel Buchanan, soprano; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Sir Colin Davis
On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, Merrin Lazyan and Jeff Spurgeon speak with writer James Kuslan about Massenet's Werther. We also hear from mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard about the magnetic power of love at first sight.
Kuslan's first YouTube pick (Tatiana Troyanos, 1982):
Kuslan's second YouTube pick (Christa Ludwig and Franco Corelli, 1971):
Spurgeon's YouTube pick (Lisette Oropesa and Jonas Kaufmann):
This episode features excerpts from the following album:
Massenet: Werther (Philips, 1981)— José Carreras, tenor; Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Isobel Buchanan, soprano; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Sir Colin Davis
Released:
Mar 1, 2017
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (24)
Behind the Scenes and Into the Chorus of Puccini's 'La Bohème': On this week's episode of He Sang/She Sang, soprano Ailyn Pérez and bass Edward Hanlon discuss one of the best-loved operas in the world, Puccini's La Bohème. Join us as we go behind the scenes into the life of a Metropolitan Opera chorister, hear why the Franco Zeffirelli production is so iconic and learn how you can go on a treasure hunt of sorts when you see it. We also take you to the Met to hear about what it takes to sing both of the female lead roles — Mimì and Musetta. Edward Hanlon's pick (Maria Callas Master Class at Juilliard) Merrin Lazyan's pick (Rolando Villazón) This episode features excerpts from the following album: Puccini: La Bohème (London/Decca, 1987) — Luciano Pavarotti, tenor; Mirella Freni, soprano; Rolando Panerai, baritone; Elizabeth Harwood, soprano; Nicolai Ghiaurov, bass; Gianni Maffeo, baritone; Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic by He Sang/She Sang