Opera on TV

[violetta]

In case anybody is interested, PBS usually broadcasts a number of opera performances as well as classical music and opera concerts throughout the year. This is a nice and cheap way to see opera and to decide if you like it.
Here are two upcoming performances this month. Note that the local time may vary depending on the station (vnet/thirteen or wliw21 or whatever it is for a specific area or provider), so check local listings.

The first of the two is the controversial Met production of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini that was talked and argued about for weeks. Note that the controversy wasn't about singers or the conductor that got an ovation but about stage direction that was booed. But regardless or whether you like or dislike the stage direction in this case, you may still enjoy the music. This is the preview:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/ ... opera/894/
Note that "Check local listings" link is broken, but if you click on "TV schedules" at the top of the page you'll be able to enter your provider and location and see December schedulr for your area. In my area it'll be at 9pm on December 16th.

The second is the movie version of opera La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini that at least in my area will be shown on channel 13 on December 23rd at 9pm. But again, check you local listings. This is the trailer:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/ ... -film/892/

Additionally, during last two years there was a number of opera productions shown on January 1st in the morning. Not sure if this would happen this year.

I'll post information about operas on tv as I find out about it.

[violetta]

If anybody is interested, the next opera on PBS will be Aida, this coming Sunday, January 31st at noon (in some areas, watch local listings):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/ ... opera/915/

Also "The Audition" will be rebroadcast (in some areas) the following Sunday, February 7th at noon:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/ ... ntary/913/

Warning: comments contain spoilers. But... some comments from people who don't even like opera but loved "The Audition" may be of interest. IMHO - it was really really good, not just (great) singing, but the emotions, the personalities. I'd have posted more detailed review, but there is no point of writing if nobody would read it.

[irishfred]

Thank you for the posts Violetta. Unfortunately our local PBS station never broadcasts any of these programs, including "The Audition", in our area. I have looked ahead to the Jan. 31st and Feb. 7th listings you reference, and they will not be broadcast in our area. It seems our local station broadcasts many reruns of reruns, in order to save money. Several years ago the new program manager was going to stop broadcasting the MET on Saturday afternoon radio, and there was a huge uproar that resulting in that change in programming being canceled. It seems that like much else in our society, there is a tendency to cater to the lowest common denominator ---- endless hours of cartoons, 30 year old Lawrence Welk shows, talking-head "news", etc. Don't get me started!

[violetta]

irishred - wow, I haven't realized that PBS stations were so different in different areas.

In our area we have 2 stations - wnet/thirteen and WLIW. Thirteen usually shows all Met HD broadcasts a few months after they are shown in the movies, then often again in summer. There are other good things - ballroom dance compeititons, masterpiece theater, classic movies, concerts - classical, jazz, etc. WLIW shows less and often after thirteen has already showed it. "The Audition" will be repeated on February 7th at noon on thirteen and 3pm on WLIW. I am sorry if it is not shown in your area. Sundays at noon (sometimes 12:30) is a program they call "Sunday with the arts" which is when they show opera and concerts and sometimes other stuff, sometimes insteresting sometimes not.

BTW- either I made a mistake about Aida or they did. It wasn't on today; it'll be on 2 weeks from now. Not sure about your area though.

One thing you could do is write to your PBS station. You could probably get there from pbs.org and use contact us or something like it and ask why for example "The Audition" is not shown in your area. It's really a pity because it's a great movie (IMHO). It's filmed in a reality show style, but it is much classier. Not only everyone is amazingly talented - one has to be to get to this level, but you get to see backstage, rehearsals (one of the great moments is when a breath coach makes a suggestion to a young singer which results in immediate improvement in sound), hear some interesting and sincere revelations from contestants, and get to hear a part of judges deliberations. What you don't see as compared to usual reality shows is constant reminders of how someone is going to go home or humiliations from judges. Here every contestant is treated with respect, and the stuff of the Met works with finalists to help them do the best they can.

One other way to see it if you are interested is to use the met player on metopera website: they allow to either rent it (for $3.99 if I am not mistaken) or use their one week free trial offer (and cancel within a week). You can go to metopera website, then click on "watch and listen" and choose met player. "The Audition" is listed right there on the first page you see after clicking on met player.