Midge Woolsey

In this edition of Opera in Brief, Driscoll explains the dynamic between the main characters in Carmen, and he identifies four memorable interpreters of the fiery gypsy.

Beethoven was never a man of the theater. He struggled to write his first opera against many odds. But Fidelio is worth hearing with fresh ears, writes Midge Woolsey.

Beethoven was never a man of the theater. He struggled to write his first opera against many odds. But Fidelio is worth hearing with fresh ears, writes Midge Woolsey.

Verdi's late opera is often described as an "autumnal comedy," reflecting a certain warmth and color that has the flavor of the composer's age and place in life. Find out why.

"I don’t think Verdi had much of a sense of humor," F. Paul Driscoll, editor in chief of Opera News tells us. Yet he went on to create one of opera's most important comedies.

Quick: name the three one-act operas included in Puccini’s Il Trittico. Give up? Now is your chance to learn with this, the first of a series of introductions to major operas, hosted by Midge Woolsey.

Quick: name the three one-act operas included in Puccini’s Il Trittico. Give up? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. No, we're not talking about Pagliacci – that’s by Leoncavallo. Cavalleria Rusticana isn’t one of them either – that’s by Mascagni.

The seventh annual Opera News Awards took place Sunday night at the Plaza Hotel. Host Midge Woolsey caught up with the winners.

F. Paul Driscoll, the editor in chief of Opera News magazine, gives us the inside scoop on this year's honorees. They are two sopranos, two baritones and a stage director.

Host Midge Woolsey has just returned from Georgia's Savannah Music Festival, which she describes as "a wonderful example of the kind of event that can be created when musical borders are blurred."

Adam Abeshouse has a job description that charts many paths: therapist and coach for hyper-sensitive artists; a "microphone junkie" who knows his gear; and a facilitator who understands how music should sound.

Earlier this month – after weeks of anticipation and an amazing amount of preparation -- 60,000 die hard fans gathered on the Great Lawn in Central Park to hear tenor Andrea Bocelli sing. There was rain off and on all day, and it was windy and cold. For some time, it wasn’t clear that the concert would actually take place.

How was it that Gershwin and Schoenberg came to enjoy a fiercely-fought tennis match each week? Why was Prokofiev so interested in the game? As the U.S. Open heats up, host Midge Woolsey considers the links.

"Ten years ago on September 11, I was on the air here at WQXR from 7 p.m. until midnight."

Last week, American pianist, Van Cliburn celebrated his 77th birthday. This came just weeks after the Russians gave Cliburn a warm welcome when he returned to their country to serve as honorary juror in the International Tchaikovsky Competition. He was a true hero "returning home" 53 years after winning the country’s premiere musical competition at the height of the Cold War.

Soprano Martina Arroyo may have stepped back from a hectic performance schedule, but she remains active in the opera community. She joins Midge Woolsey to talk about her idols, includ...

Over the years, some of the most popular questions we've fielded here at WQXR have to do to do with old record collections – especially 78’s.  Can the records be sold? Can they be given to schools… or libraries? Surely there must be a place of honor for these cherished musical memories that have been preserved with such loving care. After all, some fabulous performances risk being forgotten forever if the records are simply discarded, right? And what about the ongoing "quality" discussion? I mean, do LP's actually sound better than CDs or downloads?     

Have you ever been to a free concert at The Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park? If you haven’t, you should plan to go before the summer is over. It’s one of most unique experiences New York has to offer.