Classical WETA Opera House

Saturdays on Classical WETA 90.9 FM

Classical WETA is Washington's home for opera year round.

Classical WETA is Washington's home for opera year round. From December through May, experience the power and passion of the Metropolitan Opera. The rest of the year features performances from leading opera houses around the world, including Washington National Opera.

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Upcoming broadcasts

The Return of Ulysses

The Royal Opera / Roundhouse Co-Production

Saturday, July 21, 2018 - 1:00pm

Composer:

CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI

Conductor:

Christian Curnyn

This 17th century opera is based on the second half of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. In this tale of the triumph of virtue over treachery, set to Monteverdi's profound music, the King of Ithaca, Ulysses, journeys home from the Trojan Wars to regain his kingdom by defeating treacherous suitors who attempted to deceive Ulysses's faithful queen, Penelope, during his absence. Sung in English.

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Eugene Onegin

Scottish Opera

Saturday, July 28, 2018 - 1:00pm

Composer:

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY

Conductor:

Stuart Stratford

In this heartrending opera based on the prose poem by Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin comes to regret too late in life his callous and arrogant youthful ways -- the dismissal of the love of the faithful Tatyana, and a fateful decision to enter into a duel with a faithful friend.

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Un Ballo In Maschera

Opera North

Saturday, August 4, 2018 - 1:00pm

Composer:

GIUSEPPE VERDI

Conductor:

Richard Farnes

Written over a two-year period and subjected to censorship and subsequent revisions, Verdi's dramatic music sets the stage for the historical assassination in 1792 of King Gustav III of Sweden, that arose out of political conspiracy. Verdi's version moves the scene of the drama from Stockholm to Boston during the Colonial era.

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Previous broadcasts

Macbeth

The Royal Opera

Saturday, July 14, 2018 - 1:00pm

Composer:

GIUSEPPE VERDI

Conductor:

Antonio Pappano

The first of Verdi's adaptions of Shakespeare plays for opera, this drama traces the tragic story of the brave Scottish King Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King of Scotland, and the tragic consequences of ambition as he takes the prophecy into his own hands, resulting in a reign surrounded by paranoia, guilt, and death.

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Lessons in Love and Violence (in English)

The Royal Opera

Saturday, July 7, 2018 - 1:00pm

Composer:

GEORGE BENJAMIN

Conductor:

George Benjamin

Premiered in London in 2018, this English-language opera is a drama of power and violence, based on the story of 14th century English King Edward II and his personal relationship with the nobleman Piers Gaveston, one that affected his decisions that led his country to civil war and caused fractions within his family. The second opera showcasing the work of George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp, following their successful collaboration on the opera Written on Skin.

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