Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'handel'

The Death of Bajazet

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:27:00 EST

Placido Domingo sings the key scene from one of the first great tenor roles ever composed — Bajazet, in Handel's Tamerlano. Bajazet's death is among the most dramatic solo scenes in all of Baroque opera.

Placido Domingo in Handel's 'Tamerlano'

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Tenor Placido Domingo takes on the 126th role of his legendary career, as Bajazet in Handel's Tamerlano. The Washington National Opera's production also features countertenor David Daniels in the title role.

Handel's 'Julius Caesar,' Politics And Passion

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:14:00 EDT

Hear Handel at the height of his powers, as he sets the conflicts among love, war, and backstabbing politics to gorgeous music. It's a production of Julius Caesar from the stage of the Metropolitan Theatre of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Vitality in Virginia: Teens Play the Classics

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:26:00 EDT

From the Virginia Arts Festival in Newport News, Virginia, a 17-year-old baritone sings Handel, a 15-year-old cellist plays Mendelssohn, and a teenage saxophone quartet from Chicago playsÂ�with vigor.

Scandal in Scotland: Handel's 'Ariodante'

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Handel, a German composer, became a superstar in London, England, by writing Italian operas. Ariodante, one of his best, was premiered in 1735 at a then brand new opera house at London's Covent Garden.

Richard Egarr: The 'Bernstein of Early Music'

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:23:00 EDT

The keyboardist delivers a historically informed performance worthy of the passion behind Handel's Organ Concertos on a new CD. Egarr possesses a remarkable gift for combining subtle musical gestures with forwardÂ�moving, irrepressible rhythms.

Handel's 'Julius Caesar'

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Countertenor David Daniels takes the brilliant title role in Julius Caesar, Handel's slightly offbeat take on Roman history, from Houston Grand Opera.

Handel's 'Imeneo'

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 12:00:00 EDT

In Handel's quirky comedy Imeneo two guys are after the same girl, and she's not sure she wants either one of them. The production is from Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, N.Y.

An Updated 'Messiah' from Marin Alsop

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:32:00 EST

Handel's Messiah was a part of the holiday season long before Kris Kringle. The oratorio uses Biblical passages to tell the story of Christ's birth, death and resurrection. Conductor Marin Alsop thought the imposing composition could withstand some modern experimentation.

Handel's 'Messiah' from Philadelphia

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:21:00 EST

From the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, WHYY and NPR present Handel's holiday masterpiece performed by the "Fabulous Philadelphians" -- one of the world's greatest orchestras, joined by the nationally-renowned Philadelphia Singers Chorale. Acclaimed Richard Hickox conducts.

Dessay Takes Handel for a Ride, with Poetry

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:57:00 EDT

The music of Handel is the subject of a CD from Natalie Dessay. Music critic Tom Manoff says the music, with poetry by Vatican Cardinal, can seem opulent and highly ornate. The CD is Delirio, with music by George Frideric Handel.

Elgar on Strings: The English Chamber Orchestra

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:44:00 EDT

Edward Elgar said he learned to write for strings by listening to the music of Handel. Elgar based his Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet and String Orchestra on Handel's concerto grosso style. The English Chamber Orchestra, with conductor Roy Goodman, gives a performance on the road in Montpellier, France.

Two 'Triumphant' Works from Handel and Caldara

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 08:04:00 EDT

We hear Handel's Overture to "The Triumph of Time and Truth," played by the Orchestra La Scintillia of Zurich Opera. Then mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli performs an aria from Baroque composer Antonio Caldara: "The Triumph of Chastity."

Composers' Manuscripts Head for Juilliard

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:57:28 EST

A treasure trove of composers' manuscripts has been donated to Juilliard. The music school's collection of 139 priceless documents includes works by Beethoven, Brahms and Handel. Renee Montagne talks with Miles Hoffman about the collection's significance.

The Eternal Genius of Handel

Sat, 24 Dec 2005 00:00:00 EST

'Tis the season for more renditions of Handel's "Messiah" than you can shake a stick at. Commentator Jan Swafford has some thoughts on the enduring beauties of Handel's work.

Classical Music: Duelling Handel Arias

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 00:00:00 EST

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new albums of Handel arias by opera singers Renee Fleming and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (on the Universal and Avie labels).

The Class of 1685: Bach, Handel and Scarlatti

Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST

In 1685, within a period of eight months, three master composers were born: Scarlatti, Handel and Bach. Although each was extremely influential, they worked in very different ways because of their contrasting demands. Richard Taruskin, discusses the divergent paths of these three men.

The Two-Minute 'Messiah'

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

Jim Nayder, host of public radio's Annoying Music Show, offers a special two-minute condensed presentation of Handel's "Messiah."