Opera at Eight

In addition to the opera excerpts presented throughout the day, WETA VivaLaVoce features a complete opera at 8 pm each day: Opera at 8. These opera performances are taken from the extensive WETA Classical library, ranging from classic recordings to the most recent releases.

Current Episode

Samson et Dalila

October 15, 2026

Camille Saint-Saëns

Agnes Baltsa (mezzo-soprano) [Dalila] ** José Carreras (tenor) [Samson] ** Jonathan Summers [Le Grand Prêtre] ** Simon Estes [Abimelech] ** Paata Burchuladze [Un Vieillard Hébreu] ** Robert Swensen [Un Messager Philistin] ** Donald George Smith [Premier Philistin] ** Urban Malmberg (bass) [Deuxième Philistin] ** Bavarian Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra ** Sir Colin Davis (conductor)

  • Der Traumgörge

    Episode

    Alexander von Zemlinsky

    David Kuebler [Görge] ** Patricia Racette [Gertraud] ** Iride Martinez [Grete] ** Andreas Schmidt (baritone) [Hans] ** Zelotes Edmund Toliver [Der Müller] ** Julian Rodescu [Der Pastor] ** Susan Anthony [Die Prinzessin] ** Machiko Obata [Eine Traumstimme] ** Michael Volle [Kaspar] ** Lothar Odinius [Züngl] ** Zelotes Edmund Toliver [Mathes] ** Natalie Karl [Marei] ** John C. Pierce [Ein Wirt] ** Machiko Obata [Eine Wirtin] ** Julian Rodescu [Ein Bauer] ** Opernchor der Hochschule für Musik Köln [Burschen und Mädchen, Dorfleute, Traumstimmen, Bauern, Kinder] ** Gürzenich-Orchester Kölner Philharmoniker ** James Conlon (conductor)

  • Macbeth

    Episode

    Giuseppe Verdi

    Leo Nucci (baritone) [Macbeth] ** Samuel Ramey (bass) [Banco] ** Shirley Verrett [Lady Macbeth] ** Anna Caterina Antonacci [Dama] ** Veriano Luchetti [Macduff] ** Antonio Barasorda [Malcolm] ** Sergio Fontana [Medico] ** Gianfranco Casarini [Servo] ** Gastone Sarti [Sicario] ** Giuseppe Morresi [Araldo] ** Natale de Carolis [Prima apparizione] ** Barbara Briscik [Seconda apparizione] ** Marco Fanti [Terza apparizione] ** Coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna [Streghe, messaggeri del re, nobili e profughi scozzesi, sicari, soldati inglesi, bardi] ** Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna ** Riccardo Chailly (conductor)

  • Thésée

    Episode

    Jean-Baptiste Lully

    Howard Crook [Thésée] ** Laura Pudwell [Medée] ** Ellen Hargis [Æglé] ** Harry van der Kamp [Ægée] ** Suzie LeBlanc [Cleone] ** Mireille Lebel [Dorine ** Venus ** Une autre Bergere] ** Amanda Forsythe [La Grande Prestresse de Minerve ** Minerve ** Olivier Laquerre [Arcas] ** Marc Molomot [Bachus ** Un Vieillard ** Un Berger] ** Marek Rzepka [Mars ** Un Combattant] ** Aaron Engebreth [Un Plaisir] ** Un Jeux] ** Aaron Sheehan [Un autre Plaisir] ** Un Jeux ** Un Vieillard] ** Yulia Van Doren [Cerés ** Une Bergere] ** Teresa Wakim [Cerés ** Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra and Chorus ** Paul O'Dette & Stephen Stubbs (Musical Directors)

  • Elektra

    Episode

    Richard Strauss

    Regina Resnik [Klytämnestra] ** Birgit Nilsson (soprano) [Elektra] ** Marie Collier [Chrystotemis] ** Gerhard Stolze [Aegisth] ** Tom Krause [Orest] ** Tugomir Franc [Der Pfleger] ** Margareta Sjöstedt [Die Vertraute] ** Margarita Lilowa [Die Schleppträgerin] ** Helen Watts (alto) [Erste Magd] ** Maureen Lehane [Zweite Magd] ** Yvonne Minton (mezzo-soprano) [Dritte Magd] ** Jane Cook [Vierte Magd] ** Felicia Weathers [Fünfte Magd] ** Pauline Tinsley [Aufseherin] ** Gerhard Unger [Junger Diener] ** Leo Heppe [Alter Diener] ** Vienna Philharmonic ** Sir Georg Solti (conductor)