Let’s return to a time when opera-goers expected to hear and see operas in their native language. Artists include Eleanor Steber in Così fan tutte, Kathleen Ferrier in Orfeo ed Euridice, Joan Hammond and Charles Craig in Aida, and more.
Opera in English
The old Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, 1905. (Photo: Detroit Publishing Company; cropped by Beyond My Ken (talk) 02:50, 7 May 2014 (UTC) [Public domain])
Playlist
“What is life to me without thee?” from Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck
Kathleen Ferrier, contralto; London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor
(London 1946. DECCA 478 3596 6760)
“Vulcan’s Song” from Philémon et Baucis by Charles Gounod
Peter Dawson, bass-baritone; Orchestra; George Byng, conductor
(London 1930. LP: HMV HLM 1077051)
“Bold Intruders, Leave This House…” from Così fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Eleanor Steber, soprano; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Fritz Stiedry, conductor
(New York 1952. SONY MH2K 60652)
“Nile Scene” from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi
Joan Hammond, soprano; Charles Craig, tenor; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Vilém Tauský, conductor
(London 1960. TESTAMENT SBT 1960)