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Soundcheck

Friday, April 22, 2005
  • Roberto Alagna - photo by John Swannell, copyright EMI Classics
    Roberto Alagna (John Swannell © EMI Classics)

    Running with the Devil

    The legend of "Faust" has inspired art, literature and music from Goethe's play to the Al Pacino film "Devil's Advocate" to "Damn Yankees" and not least, Gounod's opera "Faust." The opera opened last night at the Metropolitan Opera and starred French-Sicilian tenor Roberto Alagna, one of the finest voices of our time. Today, Alagna visits to explain the challenges of the title role, and discuss his remarkable career. Also: a nod to William Shakespeare, who celebrates the anniversary of his birthday tomorrow. Paul Griffiths, a freelance music writer and poet, has composed a new work setting Ophelia's speech to music for cello. He joins us to talk about re-writing the Bard.

Additional Resources:
» Roberto Alagna bio

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