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The Many Lives of the “The Flower Duet”
Explore the Flower Duet from Delibes' opera Lakme. Discover its use in TV, film, and creative remixes.
Saturday Morning Car Tunes: George Frideric Handel, Pt. I
Who's the German guy who wrote Italian operas in England? Whoever he is, he wrote music you really can Handel.
Saturday Morning Car Tunes: Antonio Vivaldi, Pt. II
Did Vivaldi really write over 90 operas? What do they have in common with jukebox musicals? Tune in this week to find out!
An Opera Al Fresco Playlist for A Perfect Evening Under the Stars
Enjoy an enchanting evening under the stars with these operatic gems handpicked by Jennifer Miller Hammel. From Hoffmann's Barcarolle to Turandot's Nessun dorma, each piece sets a unique mood.
Saturday Morning Car Tunes: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pt. III
Power, emotion, and tunes you can hum for days—Mozart’s operas have it all. Tune in this week to hear about Mozart's true love: the opera.
Opera’s Ultimate Five-Minute Interlude: The Meditation from “Thais”
Explore the enduring appeal of Jules Massenet's "Meditation from Thaïs", a five-minute interlude that has become a beloved piece in the classical music repertoire.
WATCH: SKY Concert Featuring Jake Heggie
On May 30th, 2024 our evening host and resident artist pianist Lara Downes welcomes two longtime friends and musical collaborators: the legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and San Francisco’s own legend-in-the-making Jake Heggie, considered one of the world's most popular 21st-century opera and art song composers.
Opera
It's time to dress up and get a pair of those fancy looking binoculars: we're at the opera!
Beethoven’s Quartet of ‘Thanksgiving’
Beethoven's String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132, features a movement expressing gratitude for recovery from illness. It alternates between prayerful chorales and lively sections, reflecting his mortality.
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet
Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.
The Poetic Inspiration Behind Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending”
Explore the inspiration behind Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending, a violin piece based on an 1880s British poem. Discover why this music continues to captivate listeners.
The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord
Explore the life of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, his obsession with the occult, and his creation of the "mystic chord" used in his compositions.
Elgar’s “Enigma Variations”
Explore the intriguing history of Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, composed in 1898-99. Discover how this piece, inspired by Elgar's friends and personal experiences, established his fame.
Saturday Morning Car Tunes: Fanny Hensel
This week, meet Fanny Hensel! She wrote over 450 works, including one of the first string quartets by a woman. She only published her music a year before she died, and now it's finally getting the attention it deserves.
