Saturday, April 1, at 1:30 pm
Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio
Beethoven's only opera, based on the French play, Léonore, ou L'Amour Conjugal by Jean Nicolas Bouilly. Leonore is a noblewoman of Seville whose husband, Florestan, has been unjustly imprisoned. She disguises herself as a young man and takes a job at the prison, calling herself Fidelio, in order to help Florestan. She finds him in chains, and bravely protects him when the vengeful prison governor, Don Pizarro, attempts to murder him. Thanks to her courage, Pizarro is arrested and all the political prisoners are freed. James Levine conducts this performance.
Leonore: Karita Mattila (Leonore); Jennifer Welch-Babidge (Marzelline); Ben Heppner (Florestan); Gregory Turay (Jacquino); Alan Held (Don Pizarro); Kristinn Sigmundsson (Rocco); James Morris (Don Fernando)
Saturday, April 1, at 8:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk music show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Saturday, April 1, at 9:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, April 2, at 1:00 pm
From the Top visits with the La Jolla Musical Society for an All-California show on the sunny Pacific Coast, recorded at Mandeville Auditorium on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. The young performers we'll hear include: Yao Guang Zhai, clarinet, age 18; Mason Fish, guitar, 17; Whittney Thomas, viola, 17; Sarina Zhang, piano, age 8; and Eugene Ugorski, violin, 14.
Thursday, April 6, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, April 9, at 10:00 pm
Wagner: Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, from Götterdämmerung
Haydn: Piano Concerto in D Major
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
(Donald Runnicles, conductor; Ingrid Fliter, piano)
Friday, April 7, at 3:00 pm
Host Mike Savage is joined by Secretary of State Cathy Cox, Public Service Commission Chairman Robert Baker, and a representative from the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, to answer listeners' consumer questions. The number to call is 1-866-RADIO-GA (1-866-723-4642).
Friday, April 7, at 8:00 pm
Guest Valerie Capers
Dr. Valerie Capers is a fabulous pianist, composer, and educator. She is blessed with an eclectic piano style that combines a little of Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Evans, with some Chopin thrown in. Capers, the first blind graduate of Juilliard, shows off her classical chops when she solos on "It Could Happen to You." Then she and McPartland swing out on "Scrapple from the Apple."
Saturday, April 8, at 1:30 pm
Jules Massenet: Manon
The story of a young flirt and her ill-fated love, based on the novel by the Abbé Prévost. On her way to a boring life in a convent, Manon meets a young nobleman, the Chevalier des Grieux. They instantly fall in love and elope together to Paris. But their plans to marry are blocked by the Chevalier's father, who opposes the match, to the extent of having his son kidnapped to get him away from Manon. She consoles herself with other admirers and a life of gaiety. But when she learns her former lover is about to take holy orders, she finds him and persuades him to run away with her again. Needing money to support them both, the Chevalier tries gambling, but one of Manon's abandoned beaux accuses him of cheating and has him arrested. Manon herself is arrested for immorality, and is about to be deported. The Chevalier finally finds her, just before she dies of consumption. Jesús López-Cobos is the conductor.
Renée Fleming (Manon); Massimo Giordano (Chevalier des Grieux); Jean-Luc Chaignaud (Lescaut); Julien Robbins (Count des Grieux)
Saturday, April 8, at 8:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk music show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Saturday, April 8, at 9:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, April 9, at 1:00 pm
From the Top returns to the Lone Star State as guests of the San Antonio Symphony in the beautiful Majestic Theatre. This week's young musicians include a saxophonist from Texas who shares an audio diary of his auditioning for college, and a pianist from Quebec who portrays "the cowboy with a strange accent" in one of the show's silliest skits ever. We'll also hear violinist Nancy Zhou, age 12, and clarinetist Rachel Athas, both from Texas; and mezzo-soprano Becky Henry, 17, from Virginia.
Tuesday, April 11, at 8:00 pm
This special program takes an untraditional look at this defining Jewish holiday. In a dream, host Jim Metzner is asked whom he would invite to a Passover Seder if he were free to invite anyone. His guests include some of history's most celebrated champions of freedom and justice, encouraging us to consider the holiday in the context of universal themes, from slavery and exodus to freedom and family. On the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the first Jewish community in the US, this sound-rich hour is an affectionate portrait of the Passover Seder in America, a living tradition that grapples with slavery, liberation, and the meaning of life - not to mention great music and matzo ball soup!
(Pre-empts first hour of Studio GPB)
Thursday, April 13, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, April 16, at 10:00 pm
Mozart: Overture to Idomeneo
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 (Haffner)
(Laura Jackson, conductor; Stephen Kovacevich, piano)
Friday, April 14, at 11:00 am
An intimate and deeply human account of Christ’s betrayal, suffering, and death, J.S. Bach’s Passion According to St. John, BWV 245, sets scripture and poetry in emotionally moving, expressively beautiful music. Nicholas Kraemer conducts the 60-member chorus and orchestra of Music of the Baroque, which specializes in the performance of 16th-, 17th-, and early 18th-century music. The soloists include Paul Agnew as the Evangelist; Christine Brandes, soprano; Matthew White, countertenor; and Thomas Meglioranza, baritone. Tune in Good Friday for this special Holy Week presentation of one of the great sacred choral works.
(Pre-empts Midday Music)
Friday, April 14, at 8:00 pm
Pat Metheny
Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the brightest stars in the jazz firmament. The ever-evolving Grammy winner is constantly experimenting with new technology and honing his improvisational skills. On this Piano Jazz, the Pat Metheny Trio, which includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, performs exclusive versions of "Go Get It" and "Bright Size Life."
Saturday, April 15, at 1:30 pm
Gaetano Donizetti: Don Pasquale
The old bachelor Don Pasquale decides to marry in order to punish his rebellious nephew, Ernesto, by providing himself with an heir and cutting the young man off without a penny. Dr. Malatesta, a friend of the family and determined practical joker, suggests as a bride his own sister. Pasquale agrees, and delights in disappointing nephew Ernesto, whose own plans to marry the beautiful young widow Norina are now ruined. Dr. Malatesta enlists both lovers in his plot to help them. Norina pretends to be his sister, "marries" Pasquale in a fake ceremony, and proceeds to drive the old man to distraction by acting like an extravagant hussy. Completely fed up with his "wife," Pasquale finally agrees to Ernesto's marriage when she says she will leave him if another woman comes to live in the house. The truth is revealed at last, and the chastened Pasquale gives the young couple his blessing. James Levine conducts.
Anna Netrebko (Norina); Juan Diego Flórez (Ernesto); Mariusz Kwiecien (Dr. Malatesta); Simone Alaimo (Don Pasquale)
Saturday, April 15, at 8:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk music show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Saturday, April 15, at 9:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, April 16, at 1:00 pm
From the Top heads out to the Monterey Peninsula for a show featuring West Coast musicians. Highlights include a young composer from San Francisco, Matthew Cmiel, whose piece will receive its national radio debut, and Ebelin Murayama, an 11-year-old accordion player from Germany. Also, soprano Marielle Murphy, 17; pianist Drew Petersen, 12; and violinist Caitlin Kelley, 17.
Sunday, April 16, at 4:00 pm
Guest Acoustic Eidolon
Thursday, April 20, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, April 23, at 10:00 pm
Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)
(Emmanuel Krivine, conductor; Julia Fischer, violin)
Friday, April 21, at 8:00 pm
Guest Renée Fleming
Soprano diva Renée Fleming has gained international fame playing a number of diverse roles, including Mozart's Constanza, Verdi's Violetta, and even Garrison Keillor's Renata Flambé. She recently took on the new role of jazz singer, recording an album of standards. Fleming showcases this new facet of her career as she and host McPartland bring their considerable talents to bear on the American Popular Songbook.
Saturday, April 22, at 1:30 pm
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro
Mozart's 1786 comic opera based on Le Mariage de Figaro by Beaumarchais.
Figaro, valet to Count Almaviva, is about to marry Susanna, a maid in the Count's household. When Figaro learns that the Count has designs on Susanna, he vows to teach his employer a lesson. The Countess, unhappy at her husband's neglect, makes the same resolution. Together, the Countess, Susanna, and Figaro come up with a complicated plot, in which the page boy Cherubino is disguised as Susanna and Susanna disguised as the Countess, in order to fool the Count. There follows much hiding in closets, jumping from windows, jealousy, mistaken identities, and the discovery of Figaro's long-lost parents. At last the Count learns his lesson and begs his wife's forgiveness. All ends happily. Mark Wigglesworth conducts this production.
Countess: Soile Isokoski (Countess); Andrea Rost (Susanna); Alice Coote (Cherubino); Peter Mattei (Count); John Relyea (Figaro)
Saturday, April 22, at 8:00 pm - special!
Music Americana meets The Green Island for a special edition of both shows! Guest Harry O'Donoghue joins host Dick Wallace this week on our locally produced folk music show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Saturday, April 22, at 9:00 pm - special!
Music Americana meets The Green Island for a special edition of both shows! Guest Dick Wallace joins host Harry O'Donoghue this week on our locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, April 23, at 1:00 pm
From the Top is on the campus of Stanford University with a show featuring wonderful young musicians from up and down the West Coast. We'll hear violinist Stella Chen, age 13; soprano Kendra Berentsen, 17; pianist Sean Chen, 17; the Orchestra da Camera, a string orchestra from the San Domenico Music Conservatory; and the Luna Trio, whose members are aged 13 and 11.
Sunday, April 23, at 4:00 pm
Guests Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen
Thursday, April 27, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, April 30, at 10:00 pm
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Higdon: Dooryard
T.J. Anderson: Slavery Documents
Copland: Symphony No. 3
Brown: We Shall Overcome
(Robert Spano, conductor; Choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges)
Friday, April 28, at 3:00 pm, and Sunday, April 30, at 10:00 am
President Carter said in his 2002 Nobel Peace Prize lecture, "The most serious and universal problem is the growing chasm between the richest and poorest people on earth, and the results of this disparity are the root causes of most of the world's unresolved problems." The Carter Center's Global Development Initiative aims to help nations achieve stronger economies and greater social equity. This effort fosters human security by promoting human rights and human development. Program Director Ed Cain is join by noted world experts who will discuss how giving people hope for a more secure future is within our grasp. Conversations at the Carter Center is an occasional series designed to increase public awareness of issues of national and global importance. Each program features distinguished experts, special guests, and Carter Center staff in conversation and answering audience questions. Previous programs in the series are archived online on the Radio pages of the GPB website.
Friday, April 28, at 8:00 pm
Guest Milt Hinton
Known as "The Judge," Milt Hinton was one of the jazz world's legendary bass players. In a career that spanned 70 years, he played with everyone from Cab Calloway to Ellington to Coltrane, and is often credited with bridging the gap from swing to modern jazz. Milt "raps" his expansive resumé, talks about his priceless collection of jazz photographs, and joins McPartland for "How High the Moon."
Saturday, April 29, at 1:00 pm - early start time!
Richard Wagner: Lohengrin
Wagner's story is based on an anonymous medieval epic and poems by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Elsa and her young brother Gottfried are heirs to the Duchy of Brabant, and wards of the wicked Count of Telramund and his wife, the evil sorceress Ortrud, who are plotting to usurp power. Ortrud traps Gottfried in the body of a swan by a spell, and the Count frames Elsa for murdering him. She is saved by a mysterious knight who defeats the Count and betroths himself to Elsa, on condition that she never ask his name or origin. Telramund and Ortrud, seeking vengeance, work to prevent the wedding by accusing the knight of wrongdoing and by planting doubts of him in Elsa's mind. At last her anxiety forces Elsa to break her agreement and ask her bridegroom who he is and where he comes from, just as the Count and his henchmen attack. The knight kills Telramund, but then tells the king he cannot now remain to lead the army. His name is Lohengrin, son of Parsifal, and his home is the temple of the Holy Grail, to which he must return. Before leaving, he breaks Ortrud's spell and restores Gottfried to his rightful place as ruler. Elsa, left alone, falls lifeless. James Levine conducts this performance.
Elsa: Karita Mattila (Elsa); Luana DeVol (Ortrud); Ben Heppner (Lohengrin); Richard Paul Fink (Telramund); Eike Wilm Schulte (Herald); René Pape (King Henry)
Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 pm
Dick Wallace hosts this locally produced folk music show. Playlists are available at the Music Americana archive page.
Saturday, April 29, at 9:00 pm
Harry O'Donoghue hosts this locally produced Celtic music program. Playlists are available at the Green Island archive page.
Sunday, April 30, at 1:00 pm
This week, From the Top is in New York City with young musicians from the area playing works by special guest, Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer John Corigliano. Performers include pianist Ji-Yong, age 15; violinist Kyung-Jun Kim, 18; soprano Christina Skleros, 17; and string quartet whose members are aged 13, 17, and 18.
Sunday, April 30, at 4:00 pm
Guest Chris Rosser
Sunday, April 30, at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, May 7, at 10:00 am
This month St. John Flynn welcomes North Georgia College and State University professor Brian Jay Corrigan to the studio to talk and take listener calls about his recently published novel The Poet of Loch Ness (Thomas Dunne Books, 2005). Perdita Miggs is thrilled when her bland marine-biologist husband Perry gets a grant to spend the summer studying Loch Ness. Scotland is also the place where, seventeen years earlier, she fell in love with Highland poet Andrew Macgruer. Among the unexpected guests at the bed-and-breakfast where Perdita and Perry are staying is Andrew, whose allure has only improved with age. The toll-free number to call to take part in the program is 1-866-RADIO-GA (1-866-723-4642).
Return to Featured Program Archive
Page updated 5/30/06