William Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy of two star-crossed lovers has been one of the most frequently adapted stories for musical purposes. Composers, such Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Gounod, Berlioz, and even Duke Ellington, have been touched by its heart-wrenching tale since its creation, and this episode gives you a look into the many musical reincarnations of Shakespeare’s young lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
How far are you willing to go to get you want? Dame Ethel Smyth was determined to get her opera The Wreckers produced the way that she wanted. Although the opera was written in French, she had no luck with being able to premiere the opera on French stages, relying on her contacts in Leipzig to get the opera produce in a German translation, but future productions of the opera would only get more and more difficult to produce.
Wonderful news! Forests, Flowers, and Fairytales is now available on Barnes & Noble’s website!
Vol. 2 of the anthology Tales of Love, Loss, Magic, and Reality: Setting the Stage for Opera and Ballet—titled Beyond the Doorway: The Operas of Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, and Maurice Ravel—is now updated on Barnes and Noble!
Vol. 2 of the anthology Tales of Love, Loss, Magic, and Reality: Setting the Stage for Opera and Ballet—titled Beyond the Doorway: The Operas of Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, and Maurice Ravel—is now available again on Amazon after what seemed like technical difficulties.
Vols. 2 and 3 of the anthology Tales of Love, Loss, Magic, and Reality: Setting the Stage for Opera and Ballet have been updated and compiled into the anthology’s first print book titled Forests, Flowers, and Fairytales: The Operas and Ballets of Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, and Maurice Ravel!
Today’s episode features opera singer Erica Wilens. She and Stephen chat about where opera is now compared to what it used to be and why it’s not as elitist as it is perceived to be. Erica provides additional insight as to what the art of opera looks like from the perspective of the singers and the best composers of opera from the singers’ standpoint.
Scott Joplin considered his opera Treemonisha one of his greatest works, but audiences of the time didn’t feel the same. As a result, the opera never premiered until decades after it was finished. Theme music is by Daryl Banner: https://darylbanner.bandcamp.com/ Join me and an incredible, growing community living healthier lifestyles in a body positive space with […]
