search supported by:
E-Pledge
July 06, 2008 | 74°F haze

Evening Music

Tristan Mysteries

The Sexual Mystery

Thursday, May 03, 2007

It's a well known fact that music can arouse more than just the ears. On this installment of The Tristan Mysteries, Amy O'Leary uncovers the aphrodisiac qualities of Wagner's opera. Also, George Preston examines the sex-appeal of Tristan from the clinical—and decidedly non-clinical—point of view, with anthropologist Helen Fisher and adult film star/"Vivid Girl" Savanna Samson.

Contributors to The Sexual Mystery include:

  • Terrance McNally, Playwright & Librettist
  • Colin Levin, an opera student at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
  • A Soprano who wishes to remain anonymous

Executive Producer, The Tristan Mysteries: Limor Tomer
Producer/Host, The Sexual Mystery: Amy O'Leary
Producer/Host, Blue Wagner: George Preston
Web Producer, The Tristan Mysteries: Brad Cresswell

The Tristan Mysteries is supported, in part, by a grant from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting.


The Sexual Mystery

The Sexual Mystery

Listen on Demand
In this episode of The Tristan Mysteries, we investigate multiple instances where Tristan und Isolde has elicited more than just applause—and discover why Tristan may well have been the world's first pornographic opera.


Savanna Samson

Blue Wagner

Listen on Demand
What makes Tristan und Isolde so sexy? Anthropologist Helen Fisher weighs in on just how Tristan gets the juices flowing. Also, adult film actress/"Vivid Girl" (and Tristan fanatic) Savanna Samson chats with George Preston about the lusty side of Wagner's music—and shares recordings of her favorite "sexy-voiced" singers.

Video: Savanna Samson on WNYC's Evening Music


Blue Wagner: Part Two

Listen on demand to the second half of our interview with Savanna Samson.



Previous Previous Show | Next Show Next

Web tools supported by
Print friendly format
supported by

Listen Live
FM 93.9 Windows 20k
MP3 32k
On Air: Jonathan Schwartz - The Sunday Show

Due to contractual obligations, Jonathan Schwartz - The Sunday Show is not available on our audio stream.

AM 820 Windows 20k
MP3 32k
On Air: A Prairie Home Companion
Shopping Online?
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.


Audio Search

Search current and archival WNYC broadcasts. More

Most Emailed