April 19th, 2013
PROGRAM AIRS:
Monday, April 22, 7 p.m.
No, that’s not Kitty Wells on the cover, it’s the great Italian soprano Renata Tebaldi in Giacomo Puccini’s original spaghetti western, La fanciulla del West. Join host Joe Truskot for a complete recording of one of Puccini’s most interesting operas.
In addition to Miss Tebaldi as Minnie, you’ll hear Mario del Monaco as Dick Johnson, Cornell MacNeil and Jack Rance with the Chorus and Orchestra of the Academia di Santa Cecilia, Rome conducted by Franco Capuana. Don’t miss one note coming to you from the Polka Bar and Grill!
March 24th, 2013
PROGAM AIRS: Monday, March 25, 7 p.m.
Zinka Milanov as Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni’s verisimo opera, Cavalleria rustica. Also in the cast are Jussi Bjoerling and Robert Merrill.
Renata Tebaldi sings Puccini’s Suor Angelica with Giulietta Simionato as La zia Principessa.
Host Joe Truskot presents these two short operas perfect for Easter.
February 28th, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjzkuTiHM-I
Click the above link for the surprise version of Mozart’s Queen of the Night aria. As one critic commented, “I like what I herd. I kid. I kid.” Apologies to German soprano Diana Damrau.
Much more fun coming your way during the Spring Pledge drive. Tune in Monday, March 11 for Barbara Smythe, Miriam Ellis, and Joe Truskot as they play their favorite opera moments and help listener supported KUSP achieve its goal.
February 14th, 2013
PROGRAM AIRS: Monday, February 18, 7 p.m.
One of the greatest opera recordings ever, Maria Callas leads a stellar cast in the definitive performance of Puccini’s most fascinating heroine, Floria Tosca.
Hear her speak the word “Quanto?” as she bargains with Scarpia for her lover Cavaradossi’s life.
Hear her exclaim “E avante a lui tremava tutta Roma” (Before him, all Rome trembled) as she steps around his stabbed body.
Hear her horrible cry as she realizes, Scarpia has tricked her and Cavaradossi was shot with real bullets.
Opera doesn’t get any better than this, folks. Tune in.
February 2nd, 2013
PROGRAM AIRS: Mon., Feb. 4 at 7
Monday Night at the Opera host Barbara Smythe presents one of the most popular operas of the 20th century, Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. The opera, set in China, is a perfect compliment to Chinese New Year coming up on Sunday, February 10.
The stellar cast, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, includes Birgit Nilsson, Renata Tebaldi, and Jussi Bjorling. It’s more Italian than Chinese but “What difference does it make?” Liu is going to die loving her prince and he’s going to answer the three questions by the Icy Princess. Believe us. No one will sleep with this recording playing.
January 27th, 2013
Program airs: Monday, January 28, 2013
Host Barbara Smythe presents one of Verdi’s most dramatic scores, The Masked Ball. It was originally set in Sweden but Verdi’s censors demanded he change the location. The political situation in Italy was too closely related to plot of the opera. Allegiances with the Swedish royalty further complicated Verdi’s original intention.
So Verdi premiered the opera with it set in New England!
January 11th, 2013
Monday Night at the Opera host Barbara Smythe will present Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman with José van Dam as the Dutchman, Dunja Vejzovic as Senta, Vienna State Opera Chorus, and the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Herbert von Karajan.
Barbara will also provide an update on local musical events with a special emphasis on opera and vocal performances.
That’s Monday Night at the Opera on 88.9 KUSP and kusp.org. Listener supported, public radio for California’s Centeral Coast.
December 22nd, 2012
Host Jim Emdie presents music from the Cabrillo Symphonic Choir’s recent performance at Holy Cross Mission, music for the Feast of Christmas. Plus excerpts from Handel’s Messiah.
Monday Night at the Opera, 7 p.m., December 24, 2012
PROGRAM AIRS: 
