Phaedra - An Introduction to Hans Werner Henze

Welcome Students and Teachers to Opera Online! This week begins our look at the upcoming U.S. premiere of Hans Werner Henze's Phaedra. We'll see a preview of the opera and take a look at Henze other works.

Video Clip of the Week!
This week we will take a look at an interview with tenor John Mark Ainsley. Ainsley played Hippolyt in the the 2010 production of Phaedra in London. In the video clip he discusses the music, the story, and the strange circumstances surrounding the creation of Phaedra.

Website of the week!
Although he is turning 83 years old in July, Hans Werner Henze is still writing operas to this day! Check out this link to learn more about the composer and his other works.

Join us for A Taste of Opera!
On Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 2:00-3:00pm the Opera Company of Philadelphia is hosting a round table discussion on Hans Werner Henze's Phaedra. Joining us will be members from the cast and the artistic and production teams. The discussion will be moderated by the Opera Company's Director of Community Programs, Michael Bolton. The event will be held at Macy's in center city Philadelphia in the Greek Hall auditorium located on the third floor near the adminstrative offices. Parking is available directly below Macy's and the garage entrance is located on Juniper Street. Click here for directions.

Opera on the Air:
On Saturday, May 21 at 1 PM radio station WRTI will be broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera historic recording of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca from 1962. This classic recording features legendary singers soprano Leontyne Price, tenor Franco Corelli, and baritone Cornell MacNeil conducted by Kurt Adler. The combination of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli sent audiences into delirium in 1961. Her rich, soaring soprano perfectly matched his ardent, romantic tenor; they were in their prime. The year after their history-making joint debut at the Met, they were paired in Puccini's gripping tale of deception and revenge. Price, in the title role of Rome's most famous singer, is forced to deal with the nefarious Baron Scarpia, the chief of police (MacNeil) in a desperate attempt to free her lover (Corelli), imprisoned for his political beliefs. But it all goes tragically wrong....

Until Next Time!!

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