James Jordan’s Afternoon Delight – Parterre Saturday Webcasts

Those of us who feel lost in the summer without our Saturday Met broadcasts, look no further. Parterre Saturday Afternoon (now playing its ninth show as I type) offers rare/historical/interesting/beautiful (choose all that apply) performances streamed in real time from Parterre Box Presents La Cieca blog site and on YouTube as operazine. 

Even better, the streams remain on YouTube for future listening. I just caught up with the stream from last week featuring Beverly Sills singing Mozart and Strauss.

Today, in between acts of Gounod’s Faust (an opera I rarely seek out, but always love when I come across it), James offers a two-part interview with tenor Michael Fabiano. James is a font of operatic knowledge to begin with. And Parterre's followers offer humorous and informative thoughts, opinions, gossip, and trivia in the comments sections.

If you're looking for me next Saturday, I'll be at my computer (or on my phone) lisetning to Parterre Saturday Afternoon! Bravo James!! 

Gratuitous Friday – Beverly Sills is Queen Elizabeth I

So, I picked up a used DVD (very cheaply) of the 2006 PBS Great Performances Special: Beverly Sills: Made in America. She passed away in 2007, so this bio-overview is free of maudlin stuff that leaves you sad and wistful at the end. We watched it last night and fell in love with Bubbles all over again!

The good thing about this program is that it’s a great retrospective of her life and career, and there are many snippets of her recorded performances: from her earliest radio appearances to her final farewell recital. 

Sunday Brunch – Sills Sings Schubert’s Shepherd Song

This was my most very favorite Beverly Sills record for a long time. I love chamber music and the opportunity it gives musicians to really work as partners, rather than all being led by one guy (or gal) with a stick. Also, I enjoyed the mostly unknown selection of music. Since I posted Daniel Behle's performance of Schubert's Der Hirt am Felsen the other day, I have been wanting to hear Ms. Sills do it again. and then I decided it would only be right to share it. So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I still do.

Text and translation can be found at the Daniel Behle post.

This concert is now available as part of a 2-disc set called Beverly Sills & Friends.

Gratuitous Friday – Beverly Sills sings Baby Doe – 1962

I just came across this clip from a TV broadcast in 1962. Vintage Bubbles! Back before Beverly Sills became “BEVERLY SILLS” she was already breaking hearts and wowing them with her bright clear voice. I have always loved this aria from Douglas Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe, sort of an American L’Incoronazione di Poppea. The opera has never really caught on, but a few arias live on. It seems like singing about willow trees is always a sure bet. 

The Willow Song, from The Ballad of Baby Doe