This summer, WHRO-FM invites you to explore a spectacular season of opera with broadcasts from the WFMT Radio Network Opera Series, featuring world-class performances recorded at some of the most prestigious venues.
The season opens this Saturday, June 14, with Verdi’s “La forza del destino” from La Scala in Milan. Conducted by Riccardo Chailly, the production features Anna Netrebko as Donna Leonora, alongside Ludovic Tézier, Brian Jagde, and Alexander Vinogradov. From the same legendary stage, we also present “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky on June 21, with Aida Garifullina as Tatiana and Alexey Markov as Onegin under the baton of Timur Zangiev. The month concludes with a Baroque gem: Antonio Cesti’s “L’Orontea,” also from La Scala, led by Giovanni Antonini and starring Stéphanie d’Oustrac in the title role.
In July, the spotlight moves to Paris and Turin. On July 5, we journey to the Opéra Comique for Rameau’s “Les Fêtes d’Hébé,” performed by Les Arts Florissants under the direction of William Christie. Then, Teatro Regio in Turin offers a fascinating exploration of how one literary character has inspired composers across time. Over three consecutive Saturdays—July 12, 19, and 26—we hear three different operatic takes on the story of Manon Lescaut: first, Daniel Auber’s rarely performed version, followed by Jules Massenet’s beloved Romantic setting, and finally Giacomo Puccini’s intense and passionate interpretation. These productions feature an international cast of acclaimed voices, including Rocío Pérez, Ekaterina Bakanova, Erika Grimaldi, and Roberto Aronica, and reveal how one tragic heroine can be reimagined through distinct musical lenses.
August brings a shift in style and setting. On August 2, from London’s Royal Opera House, we present Leonard Bernstein’s double bill: “Trouble in Tahiti” and “A Quiet Place,” conducted by Nicholas Chalmers and featuring Henry Neill, Wallis Giunta, and Grant Doyle. One week later, Puccini’s “Turandot” fills the airwaves on August 9, with Sondra Radvanovsky as the icy princess and SeokJong Baek as Calaf. On August 16, the grandeur continues with Wagner’s “Die Walküre,” conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano and headlined by Christopher Maltman, Elisabet Strid, and Stanislas de Barbeyrac.
Closing the summer are two French masterpieces from the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Massenet’s “Werther” airs August 23, starring Benjamin Bernheim and Marina Viotti, followed on August 30 by Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier,” with Marlis Petersen and Marina Viotti again in leading roles, joined by Regula Mühlemann and Peter Rose.
This first part of the season concludes on September 6 with a unique pairing from Copenhagen: Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” and Weill’s “The Seven Deadly Sins,” performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Malmö Opera Chorus. Danielle De Niese takes on the leading roles in both works, under the direction of Geoffrey Paterson.
This new series offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy performances from some of the world’s most celebrated stages—from Milan to Paris, from London to Copenhagen—without leaving home. Just tune in to WHRO FM 90.3 every Saturday at 1 p.m., listen online through our Media Player, or stream on your smart device, and let your radio transport you across the globe through the power of opera.
