Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera Fidelio had a long and complicated compositional history. In fact, Beethoven went through three different versions of the opera during his lifetime. No other composition gave him such frustration. So much so that he never attempted to write an opera again. Today we explore themes of freedom and love in Beethoven's only opera ... Show More
Jul 2023
Ep. 224: Expanding the Canon Part III - Foreign Works
On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the last of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this final episode, he will dive into how the Met’s production of foreign works such ... Show More
1h 9m
Jun 2023
Ep. 223: Expanding the Canon Part II - Star-Studded Revivals
Today, we have the second of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this episode, he will dive into star-studded revivals
—looking at somewhat unknown operas that are often revived with all-star casts, su ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2023
Ep. 222: Expanding the Canon Part I - New Works
On today's episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, we have the first of three episodes exploring how the operatic canon is being expanded, featuring Guild lecturer Matthew Timmermans. In this first episode, he will dive into two new productions that have pushed the bound ... Show More
1h 11m
Jun 2023
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Welcome to episode number 200 of Sticky Notes!! On December 22nd, 1808, a day that would live in classical music lore forever, Ludwig Van Beethoven sat down for his very last appearance as a solo pianist to play this new piano concerto, his 4th. This performance was not only the ... Show More
59m 35s
Nov 2023
Beethoven, Bonaparte and 'Fidelio' in Vienna
Synopsis
On today’s date in 1805, Beethoven’s opera, Leonore, had its premiere at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, after many postponements due to getting the opera’s libretto approved by government censors and the orchestral parts copied in time. There was also the little matt ... Show More
2 m
Sep 2023
Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 132, Part 2
If you joined me last week, you heard about the severe intestinal illness that Beethoven suffered from during the year of 1825. Beethoven thought that he was near death; he was spitting up blood, in terrible pain, and regularly begged his doctor for help. Ensconced in Baden, a ... Show More
44m 37s
Sep 2021
Mozart Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter"
Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony is a piece that can practically define the classical era symphony. Mozart pulls out every trick in the compositional book and practically sums up everything written before him. It is a symphony full of musical cliches, self-references, and in some cases, ... Show More
44m 59s
May 2021
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"
Two of the most famous chords in classical music propel us into this revolutionary, wild, and remarkable symphony. At the time, the Eroica symphony was the longest symphony ever written. At the time it was definitely the loudest symphony ever written! It delved into emotions that ... Show More
1h 8m