Opera On 3 From The Royal Opera House [Opera On 3]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Offenbach's Les Contes D'hoffmann

20090516

Launching a season from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Donald Macleod introduces a revival of the production by film director John Schlesinger, which was first seen in the UK in 1980 in commemoration of the centenary both of Offenbach's death and the premiere of the opera in Paris.

Tenor Rolando Villazon returns to perform the central role of the drunken poet Hoffmann who, as he becomes more and more intoxicated, promises to tell his fellow-drinkers the stories of a trio of enchantresses who shared his life between them, one in each act of the opera.

Hoffmann - Rolando Villazon (tenor)

The Muse/Nicklausse - Kristine Jepson (mezzo-soprano)

Lindorf/Coppelius/Dappertutto/Dr Miracle - Gidon Saks (bass-baritone)

Olympia - Ekaterina Lekhina (soprano)

Giulietta - Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano)

Antonia - Katie Van Kooten (soprano)

Spirit of Antonia's mother - Gaynor Keeble (mezzo-soprano)

Crespel - Matthew Rose (bass)

Andres/Cochenille/Pittichinaccio/Frantz - Graham Clark (tenor)

Luther - Lynton Black (bass)

Spalanzani - Robin Leggate (tenor)

Schlemil - Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone)

Stella - Olga Sabadoch

Students - Changhan Lim (baritone), Ji-Min Park (tenor)

Royal Opera Chorus

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Antonio Pappano (conductor).

SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO INTERVIEWS WITH ARTISTS, PRODUCTION PHOTOS AND FULL SYNOPSIS

Presented by Donald Macleod. Tenor Rolando Villazon stars as Hoffmann, a drunken poet.

Korngold's Die Tote Stadt

20090523

In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, American tenor Stephen Gould and German soprano Nadja Michael take on the two central roles in the UK premiere of the staged version of Korngold's opera, completed when the composer was still only in his early 20s.

It tells the story of Paul's relationship with two women - his recently deceased wife Marie and the young actress Marietta. They bear a striking resemblance to each other and they begin to merge in Paul's mind. But what is real and what is fantasy?

Presented by Christopher Cook with guest Erik Levi.

Korngold: Die tote Stadt

Paul - Stephen Gould (tenor)

Marie/Marietta - Nadja Michael (soprano)

Frank/Fritz - Gerald Finley (bass-baritone)

Brigitta - Kathleen Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano

Gastone/Victorin - Bernard Richter (tenor)

Juliette - Simona Mihai (soprano)

Lucienne - Jurgita Adamonyte (mezzo-soprano)

Graf Albert - Ji-Min Park (tenor)

Royal Opera Chorus

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Ingo Metzmacher (conductor).

Christopher Cook introduces the UK stage premiere of Korngold's opera.

Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander

20090530

Radio 3's series of operas from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, continues with Marc Albrecht conducting Tim Albery's new production of Wagner's Der fliegende Hollander, with bass-baritone Bryn Terfel in the title role and soprano Anja Kampe as Senta.

Wagner based his great Romantic opera on Heinrich Heine's story about a Dutch sea captain compelled, as punishment for a blasphemous oath, to sail the oceans for ever unless he's redeemed by the love of a faithful woman. For a while it seems that Senta might be that redeeming angel, but after a misunderstanding the Dutchman is disillusioned once more, and returns to the sea, consigning himself to his fate.

Presented by Martin Handley.

Wagner: Der fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)

Der Hollander - Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone)

Senta - Anja Kampe (soprano)

Daland - Hans-Peter Konig (bass)

Erik - Torsten Kerl (tenor)

Mary - Clare Shearer (mezzo-soprano)

Steersman - John Tessier (tenor)

Royal Opera Chorus

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Marc Albrecht (conductor).

Marc Albrecht conducts Tim Albery's production, starring Bryn Terfel and Anja Kampe.

Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi

20090606

In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Elder conducts Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca in Bellini's setting of Romeo and Juliet.

It was radically different from the Shakespeare original, featuring two rival political factions instead of families, no balcony scene as well as the role of Romeo written for a woman.

Presented by Donald Macleod with opera historian Sarah Lenton.

Romeo - Elina Garanca (mezzo-soprano)

Giulietta - Anna Netrebko (soprano)

Tebaldo - Dario Schmunck (tenor)

Capellio - Eric Owens (bass-baritone)

Lorenzo - Giovanni Battista Parodi (bass)

The Royal Opera Chorus

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Mark Elder (conductor).

Mark Elder conducts soprano Anna Netrebko in Bellini's setting of Romeo and Juliet.

Strauss' Elektra

20090613

Presented by Andrew McGregor.

In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Elder conducts soprano Susan Bullock in a highly-praised production of Strauss' one-act opera Elektra. Bullock won an RPS award for her interpretation of the title role, while Elder was also feted for his work.

The opera tells the bloody story of Elektra and her dysfunctional family. She has sworn vengeance for the murder of her father, King Agamemnon, by her mother, Klytemnestra, and she eventually achieves this, but at the cost of several lives including, finally, her own.

Elektra - Susan Bullock (soprano)

Chrysothemis - Anne Schwanewilms (soprano)

Klytemnestra - Jane Henschel (mezzo-soprano)

Orest - Johan Reuter (baritone)

Overseer - Miriam Murphy (soprano)

First Maid - Frances McCafferty (mezzo-soprano)

Second Maid - Monika-Evelin Liiv (mezzo-soprano)

Third Maid - Kathleen Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano)

Fourth Maid - Elizabeth Woollett (soprano)

Fifth Maid - Eri Nakamura (soprano)

Confidante - Louise Armit (mezzo-soprano)

Trainbearer - Dervla Ramsay (mezzo-soprano)

Young Servant - Alfie Boe (tenor)

Old Servant - Jeremy White (bass)

Orest's companion - Vuyani Mlinde (bass)

Aegisth - Frank van Aken (tenor)

The Royal Opera Chorus

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Mark Elder (conductor).

Susan Bullock stars in a production of Strauss' opera, from the Royal Opera House.

Purcell's Dido And Aeneas-handel's Acis And Galatea

20090620

Louise Fryer presents a performance from the Royal Opera House, London, as resident choreographer Wayne McGregor's stages a double bill featuring two great English Baroque masterpieces - Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and Handel's Acis and Galatea.

The programme forms part of the celebrations of the 350th anniversary of Henry Purcell's birth and the 250th anniversary of George Frederic Handel's death, as the ROH and the Royal Ballet join forces to couple Dido and Aeneas with Acis and Galatea, two classical tragedies of love and death.

British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly takes on the role of the doomed Queen of Carthage as she succumbs to the tragic fate of an unrequited love, while American soprano Danielle de Niese sings -and dances - as she becomes Galatea, the semi-godess who uses her powers to make love eternal.

Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

Dido - Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)

Belinda - Lucy Crowe (soprano)

Aeneas - Lucas Meacham (baritone)

Second Woman - Anita Watson (soprano)

Sorceress - Sara Fulgoni (mezzo-soprano)

First Witch - Eri Nakamura

Second Witch - Pumeza Matshikiza (soprano)

Spirit - Iestyn Davies (countertenor)

Sailor - Ji-Min Park (tenor)

Handel: Acis and Galatea

Acis - Charles Workman (baritone)

Galatea - Danielle de Niese (soprano)

Damon - Paul Agnew (tenor)

Coridon - Ji-Min Park (tenor)

Polyphemus - Matthew Rose (bass)

Chorus Soprano soloist - Juliet Schiemann

Chorus tenor soloist - Philip Bell

The Royal Opera Extra Chorus

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Christopher Hogwood (conductor).

Louise Fryer presents Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and Handel's Acis and Galatea.

Wagner's Lohengrin

20090627

From the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, starring South African tenor Johan Botha, with soprano Edith Haller as Elsa.

It is a work which marked a turning point in Wagner's output and paved the way for the quartet of Ring operas that were to come. In it he wrote four challenging roles that have tested singers (and conductors) since the work's first performance in 1850.

Lohengrin has been Elsa's champion in a duel but has sworn her to secrecy about his origins. She must never ask his name or where he comes from. Not unnaturally she finds this promise impossible to keep and so he has to leave, though not before revealing to one and all that he is, in fact, a knight of the holy grail with a sacred mission. Having imparted this information he leaves as he arrived, in a boat drawn by a swan.

Donald is joined by one of the world's leading Wagner experts, John Deathridge, to help to explain Lohengrin's significance and its very special place in Wagner's output.

Wagner: Lohengrin

Lohengrin - Johan Botha (tenor)

Elsa von Brabant - Edith Haller (soprano)

Friederich von Telramund - Falk Struckmann (bass)

Ortrud - Petra Lang (mezzo-soprano)

Heinrich I - Kwangchul Youn (baritone)

Herald - Boaz Daniel (baritone)

Nobles of Brabant - Haoyin Xue, Ji-Min Park (tenors), Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone), Vuyani Mlinde (bass)

Four pages - Anne Osborne, Deborah Peake Jones (sopranos), Louise Armit, Kate McCarney (mezzo-sopranos)

The Royal Opera Chorus

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Semyon Bychkov (conductor).

Donald Macleod presents a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, starring tenor Johan Botha.

Berg's Lulu

20090704

Concluding a season from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is a performance of Alban Berg's Lulu, in which director Christof Loy throws light on the dark psychological corners of a disturbing tale. Its score - with its wide scope and ambition - is just one element that has given Lulu its place as one of the acknowledged masterpieces of 20th-century opera.

Agneta Eichenholz plays the title role in a tragic story about a woman who destroys all who come within her orbit. Lulu's journey takes her from society darling of the glittering salons of Vienna and Paris, to the pitiful squalor of prostitution in East End London, the victim of Jack the Ripper.

Presented by Suzy Klein in conversation with novelist Philip Hensher.

Berg: Lulu

Lulu - Agneta Eichenholz (soprano)

Dr Schon/Jack the Ripper - Michael Volle (baritone)

Countess Geschwitz - Jennifer Larmore (mezzo-soprano)

Animal Trainer/Athlete - Peter Rose (bass)

Alwa - Klaus Florian Vogt (tenor)

Schigolch - Gwynne Howell (bass)

Prince/Manservant/Marquis - Philip Langridge (tenor)

Painter/Policeman/Negro - Will Hartmann (tenor)

Prof of Medicine/Theatre Manager/Banker - Jeremy White (bass)

Dresser/Schoolboy/Groom - Heather Shipp (mezzo-soprano)

Journalist - Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone)

Manservant - Vuyani Mlinde (bass)

Lady Artist - Monika-Evelin Liiv (mezzo-soprano)

Mother - Frances McCafferty (mezzo-soprano)

15-year-old girl - Simona Mihai (soprano)

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Antonio Pappano (conductor).

Antonio Pappano conducts Berg's tragic opera Lulu, starring soprano Agneta Eichenholz.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Offenbach's Les Contes D'hoffmann	20090516	Launching a season from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Donald Macleod introduces a revival of the production by film director John Schlesinger, which was first seen in the UK in 1980 in commemoration of the centenary both of Offenbach's death and the premiere of the opera in Paris. Tenor Rolando Villazon returns to perform the central role of the drunken poet Hoffmann who, as he becomes more and more intoxicated, promises to tell his fellow-drinkers the stories of a trio of enchantresses who shared his life between them, one in each act of the opera. Hoffmann - Rolando Villazon (tenor) The Muse/Nicklausse - Kristine Jepson (mezzo-soprano) Lindorf/Coppelius/Dappertutto/Dr Miracle - Gidon Saks (bass-baritone) Olympia - Ekaterina Lekhina (soprano) Giulietta - Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano) Antonia - Katie Van Kooten (soprano) Spirit of Antonia's mother - Gaynor Keeble (mezzo-soprano) Crespel - Matthew Rose (bass) Andres/Cochenille/Pittichinaccio/Frantz - Graham Clark (tenor) Luther - Lynton Black (bass) Spalanzani - Robin Leggate (tenor) Schlemil - Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone) Stella - Olga Sabadoch Students - Changhan Lim (baritone), Ji-Min Park (tenor) Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Antonio Pappano (conductor). SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO INTERVIEWS WITH ARTISTS, PRODUCTION PHOTOS AND FULL SYNOPSIS Presented by Donald Macleod. Tenor Rolando Villazon stars as Hoffmann, a drunken poet.
02	Korngold's Die Tote Stadt	20090523	In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, American tenor Stephen Gould and German soprano Nadja Michael take on the two central roles in the UK premiere of the staged version of Korngold's opera, completed when the composer was still only in his early 20s. It tells the story of Paul's relationship with two women - his recently deceased wife Marie and the young actress Marietta. They bear a striking resemblance to each other and they begin to merge in Paul's mind. But what is real and what is fantasy? Presented by Christopher Cook with guest Erik Levi. Korngold: Die tote Stadt Paul - Stephen Gould (tenor) Marie/Marietta - Nadja Michael (soprano) Frank/Fritz - Gerald Finley (bass-baritone) Brigitta - Kathleen Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano Gastone/Victorin - Bernard Richter (tenor) Juliette - Simona Mihai (soprano) Lucienne - Jurgita Adamonyte (mezzo-soprano) Graf Albert - Ji-Min Park (tenor) Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Ingo Metzmacher (conductor). Christopher Cook introduces the UK stage premiere of Korngold's opera.
03	Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander	20090530	Radio 3's series of operas from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, continues with Marc Albrecht conducting Tim Albery's new production of Wagner's Der fliegende Hollander, with bass-baritone Bryn Terfel in the title role and soprano Anja Kampe as Senta. Wagner based his great Romantic opera on Heinrich Heine's story about a Dutch sea captain compelled, as punishment for a blasphemous oath, to sail the oceans for ever unless he's redeemed by the love of a faithful woman. For a while it seems that Senta might be that redeeming angel, but after a misunderstanding the Dutchman is disillusioned once more, and returns to the sea, consigning himself to his fate. Presented by Martin Handley. Wagner: Der fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman) Der Hollander - Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) Senta - Anja Kampe (soprano) Daland - Hans-Peter Konig (bass) Erik - Torsten Kerl (tenor) Mary - Clare Shearer (mezzo-soprano) Steersman - John Tessier (tenor) Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Marc Albrecht (conductor). Marc Albrecht conducts Tim Albery's production, starring Bryn Terfel and Anja Kampe.
04	Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi	20090606	In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Elder conducts Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca in Bellini's setting of Romeo and Juliet. It was radically different from the Shakespeare original, featuring two rival political factions instead of families, no balcony scene as well as the role of Romeo written for a woman. Presented by Donald Macleod with opera historian Sarah Lenton. Romeo - Elina Garanca (mezzo-soprano) Giulietta - Anna Netrebko (soprano) Tebaldo - Dario Schmunck (tenor) Capellio - Eric Owens (bass-baritone) Lorenzo - Giovanni Battista Parodi (bass) The Royal Opera Chorus The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Mark Elder (conductor). Mark Elder conducts soprano Anna Netrebko in Bellini's setting of Romeo and Juliet.
05	Strauss' Elektra	20090613	Presented by Andrew McGregor. In a performance from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Elder conducts soprano Susan Bullock in a highly-praised production of Strauss' one-act opera Elektra. Bullock won an RPS award for her interpretation of the title role, while Elder was also feted for his work. The opera tells the bloody story of Elektra and her dysfunctional family. She has sworn vengeance for the murder of her father, King Agamemnon, by her mother, Klytemnestra, and she eventually achieves this, but at the cost of several lives including, finally, her own. Elektra - Susan Bullock (soprano) Chrysothemis - Anne Schwanewilms (soprano) Klytemnestra - Jane Henschel (mezzo-soprano) Orest - Johan Reuter (baritone) Overseer - Miriam Murphy (soprano) First Maid - Frances McCafferty (mezzo-soprano) Second Maid - Monika-Evelin Liiv (mezzo-soprano) Third Maid - Kathleen Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano) Fourth Maid - Elizabeth Woollett (soprano) Fifth Maid - Eri Nakamura (soprano) Confidante - Louise Armit (mezzo-soprano) Trainbearer - Dervla Ramsay (mezzo-soprano) Young Servant - Alfie Boe (tenor) Old Servant - Jeremy White (bass) Orest's companion - Vuyani Mlinde (bass) Aegisth - Frank van Aken (tenor) The Royal Opera Chorus The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Mark Elder (conductor). Susan Bullock stars in a production of Strauss' opera, from the Royal Opera House.
06	Purcell's Dido And Aeneas-handel's Acis And Galatea	20090620	Louise Fryer presents a performance from the Royal Opera House, London, as resident choreographer Wayne McGregor's stages a double bill featuring two great English Baroque masterpieces - Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and Handel's Acis and Galatea. The programme forms part of the celebrations of the 350th anniversary of Henry Purcell's birth and the 250th anniversary of George Frederic Handel's death, as the ROH and the Royal Ballet join forces to couple Dido and Aeneas with Acis and Galatea, two classical tragedies of love and death. British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly takes on the role of the doomed Queen of Carthage as she succumbs to the tragic fate of an unrequited love, while American soprano Danielle de Niese sings -and dances - as she becomes Galatea, the semi-godess who uses her powers to make love eternal. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas Dido - Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) Belinda - Lucy Crowe (soprano) Aeneas - Lucas Meacham (baritone) Second Woman - Anita Watson (soprano) Sorceress - Sara Fulgoni (mezzo-soprano) First Witch - Eri Nakamura Second Witch - Pumeza Matshikiza (soprano) Spirit - Iestyn Davies (countertenor) Sailor - Ji-Min Park (tenor) Handel: Acis and Galatea Acis - Charles Workman (baritone) Galatea - Danielle de Niese (soprano) Damon - Paul Agnew (tenor) Coridon - Ji-Min Park (tenor) Polyphemus - Matthew Rose (bass) Chorus Soprano soloist - Juliet Schiemann Chorus tenor soloist - Philip Bell The Royal Opera Extra Chorus The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Christopher Hogwood (conductor). Louise Fryer presents Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and Handel's Acis and Galatea.
07	Wagner's Lohengrin	20090627	From the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Donald Macleod introduces a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, starring South African tenor Johan Botha, with soprano Edith Haller as Elsa. It is a work which marked a turning point in Wagner's output and paved the way for the quartet of Ring operas that were to come. In it he wrote four challenging roles that have tested singers (and conductors) since the work's first performance in 1850. Lohengrin has been Elsa's champion in a duel but has sworn her to secrecy about his origins. She must never ask his name or where he comes from. Not unnaturally she finds this promise impossible to keep and so he has to leave, though not before revealing to one and all that he is, in fact, a knight of the holy grail with a sacred mission. Having imparted this information he leaves as he arrived, in a boat drawn by a swan. Donald is joined by one of the world's leading Wagner experts, John Deathridge, to help to explain Lohengrin's significance and its very special place in Wagner's output. Wagner: Lohengrin Lohengrin - Johan Botha (tenor) Elsa von Brabant - Edith Haller (soprano) Friederich von Telramund - Falk Struckmann (bass) Ortrud - Petra Lang (mezzo-soprano) Heinrich I - Kwangchul Youn (baritone) Herald - Boaz Daniel (baritone) Nobles of Brabant - Haoyin Xue, Ji-Min Park (tenors), Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone), Vuyani Mlinde (bass) Four pages - Anne Osborne, Deborah Peake Jones (sopranos), Louise Armit, Kate McCarney (mezzo-sopranos) The Royal Opera Chorus The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Donald Macleod presents a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin, starring tenor Johan Botha.
08	Berg's Lulu	20090704	Concluding a season from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is a performance of Alban Berg's Lulu, in which director Christof Loy throws light on the dark psychological corners of a disturbing tale. Its score - with its wide scope and ambition - is just one element that has given Lulu its place as one of the acknowledged masterpieces of 20th-century opera. Agneta Eichenholz plays the title role in a tragic story about a woman who destroys all who come within her orbit. Lulu's journey takes her from society darling of the glittering salons of Vienna and Paris, to the pitiful squalor of prostitution in East End London, the victim of Jack the Ripper. Presented by Suzy Klein in conversation with novelist Philip Hensher. Berg: Lulu Lulu - Agneta Eichenholz (soprano) Dr Schon/Jack the Ripper - Michael Volle (baritone) Countess Geschwitz - Jennifer Larmore (mezzo-soprano) Animal Trainer/Athlete - Peter Rose (bass) Alwa - Klaus Florian Vogt (tenor) Schigolch - Gwynne Howell (bass) Prince/Manservant/Marquis - Philip Langridge (tenor) Painter/Policeman/Negro - Will Hartmann (tenor) Prof of Medicine/Theatre Manager/Banker - Jeremy White (bass) Dresser/Schoolboy/Groom - Heather Shipp (mezzo-soprano) Journalist - Kostas Smoriginas (bass-baritone) Manservant - Vuyani Mlinde (bass) Lady Artist - Monika-Evelin Liiv (mezzo-soprano) Mother - Frances McCafferty (mezzo-soprano) 15-year-old girl - Simona Mihai (soprano) The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Antonio Pappano (conductor). Antonio Pappano conducts Berg's tragic opera Lulu, starring soprano Agneta Eichenholz.