Heroes and Heroines in Opera

November 17, 2018, 4:30 pm

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Walkürenritt o Ritt der Walküren by Francisco Sanchis Cortés

Wagner’s Valkyries bring slain heroes to Valhalla. Christa Ludwig is Fidelio who does whatever is necessary to save her husband. Enrico Caruso is the Spanish hero, El Cid, and Jon Vickers as Rhadames leads the Egyptians to victory in Verdi’s Aida.

Playlist

“Celeste Aida” from Aida by Giuseppe Aida
Jon Vickers, heldentenor; Orchestra of the Rome Opera; Sir Georg Solti, conductor
(Rome 1962. LONDON 417 417‐2)

“Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin?” from Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven
Christa Ludwig, mezzo-soprano; Philharmonia Orchestra; Otto Klemperer, conductor
(London 1962. EMI 7243 5 67362 2)

“O souverain, o juge, o père” from Le Cid by Jules Massenet
Enrico Caruso, tenor; Orchestra
(New Jersey 1916. NAXOS 8.110750)

“Ride of the Valkyries” from Die Walküre by Richard Wagner
Soloists; London Symphony Orchestra; Erich Leinsdorf, conductor
(London 1961. DECCA 289 470 446‐2)