Each season, the Met鈥檚 live Saturday Matinee Radio Broadcasts are supplemented by outstanding performances from the Met鈥檚 extensive archive, spanning 90-plus years of broadcast history. This year, we鈥檝e enlisted four of today鈥檚 leading lights to nominate favorite artists of the past who have influenced them, highlighting connections between that long operatic tradition to the present day. While the Met stage is dark this February, tune into The Robert K. Johnson Foundation鈥揗etropolitan Opera International Radio Network each Saturday to hear the selections of Angel Blue, Ryan Speedo Green, Lise Davidsen, and Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin.
痴别谤诲颈鈥檚 La Traviata, 2007
Chosen by: Angel Blue
Soprano Angel Blue, who is currently headlining the Met鈥檚 new Aida and also starred in the company premiere of Osvaldo Golijov鈥檚 Ainadamar, chose to pay tribute to one of the Met鈥檚 most beloved sopranos, Ren茅e Fleming. A fan of Fleming long before ever seeing her live, Blue鈥檚 admiration of the soprano deepened after an especially memorable performance of La Traviata in 2007. 鈥淚 was floored by the depth of her dramatic interpretation and effortless singing,鈥� Blue says, with Fleming鈥檚 impeccable poise and flawless coloratura etched into her memory. 鈥淗er vocal technique was a master class.鈥� Experience Fleming鈥檚 inspiring portrayal of the self-sacrificing heroine in this 2007 performance of 痴别谤诲颈鈥檚 tragic masterpiece, which also stars tenor Matthew Polenzani as Alfredo and baritone wayne Croft as Germont, with Marco Armiliato on the podium. This will broadcast on February 1.
奥补驳苍别谤鈥檚 Der Fliegende Holl盲nder, 1960
Chosen by: Ryan Speedo Green
With meaty turns in 痴别谤诲颈鈥檚 Il Trovatore, 厂迟谤补耻蝉蝉鈥檚 Die Frau ohne Schatten, and Jake Heggie鈥檚 Moby-Dick at the Met this season, and major Wagnerian roles in his future, bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green has chosen to highlight imposing American bass-baritone George London in 奥补驳苍别谤鈥檚 Der Fliegende Holl盲nder. A winner of the prestigious George London Award in 2014, Green says there鈥檚 much to love about London鈥檚 performance of the title role, noting his sonorous voice, the ease of his vocal production, and the expression of every phrase. 鈥淗e showed up and showed out in every role he conquered, but he brings an unparalleled presence and power to Wagner.鈥� This tour-de-force performance from 1960 also stars soprano Leonie Rysanek as Senta鈥攐ne of the soprano鈥檚 signatures鈥攚ith Thomas Schippers on the podium. This will broadcast February 8.
厂迟谤补耻蝉蝉鈥檚 Ariadne auf Naxos, 1985
Chosen by: Lise Davidsen
One of the Met鈥檚 most riveting artists in decades, Lise Davidsen knows a thing or two about golden-age soprano singing, and her plans with the company include not only this season鈥檚 appearances in Puccini鈥檚 Tosca and Beethoven鈥檚 Fidelio, but also upcoming new productions of 奥补驳苍别谤鈥檚 Tristan und Isolde and Ring cycle. In choosing to share a Jessye Norman broadcast, Davidsen acknowledges a profound connection with the legendary soprano. 鈥淛essye is one of my most important vocal inspirations,鈥� Davidsen says, reflecting on her own celebrated turn in the title role of 厂迟谤补耻蝉蝉鈥檚 Ariadne auf Naxos in the 2021鈥�22 season, when she was thrilled to don the same crystal crown Norman wore when she sang the role. 鈥淚 was so happy because for me, no one comes close to Jessye.鈥� In this unforgettable 1985 broadcast, Norman shines as the regal Ariadne, with mezzo-soprano Maria Ewing as the Composer. Andrew Davis conducts, with his wife-to-be, soprano Gianna Rolandi, as Zerbinetta. This will broadcast February 15.
痴别谤诲颈鈥檚 Falstaff, 1964
Chosen by: Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin
For the final installment in this special series, Met Music Director Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin chose to spotlight the legendary Leonard Bernstein. As an aspiring young conductor with many of Bernstein鈥檚 recordings at his disposal, N茅zet-S茅guin quickly developed an affinity for the renowned maestro. 鈥淏ernstein was, hands down, always my greatest conducting model,鈥� he says, drawing great inspiration from the way Bernstein unapologetically expressed himself on the podium. 鈥淭hat lack of inhibition is true authenticity. We work all our lives to be that true to ourselves, but Lenny is the master.鈥� In his Met debut, Bernstein leads this vibrant 1964 performance of 痴别谤诲颈鈥檚 Shakespearean comedy, starring baritone Anselmo Colzani in the title role, soprano Gabriella Tucci as Alice Ford, mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik as Mistress Quickly, mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias as Meg Page, baritone Mario Sereni as Ford, and soprano Judith Raskin and tenor Luigi Alva as Nannetta and Fenton. This will broadcast February 22.
