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Soundcheck

Friday, September 23, 2005
  • Cecilia Bartoli
    Cecilia Bartoli

    Divine Divas

    Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli is a hugely popular opera star but she's often avoided the big roles in favor of obscure music from the distant past. Today, she discusses her latest CD, "Opera Proibita," which explores arias from oratorios written in 18th-century Rome, a period in which the pope banned operas. Also on the show: Grammy-winning singer Fiona Apple. Her latest CD, "Extraordinary Machine," has gotten more pre-release buzz than any in a great while. Earlier this year, eleven apparently unfinished tracks from the CD were leaked onto the Internet. The real thing comes out on October 4th, and she joins us to perform a pair of selections. Finally, we visit with Marin Alsop, the globe-trotting conductor who recently earned a 2005 MacArthur Fellowship - also known as the "genius award."

Fiona Apple

Singer Fiona Apple's first release in six years hits stores in a week and she'll give us a preview with a live performance in the studio.
» Fiona Apple's Web site

Cecilia Bartoli

A look at the Italian mezzo's latest CD, "Opera Proibita," which explores once-banned music from 18th-century Rome.
» Cecilia Bartoli's Web site

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Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.