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

© Roger Mastroianni, courtesy of The Cleveland Orchestra

Tristan und Isolde

The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall

Saturday, June 22, 2019 - 1:00pm

Composer:

Richard Wagner

Conductor:

Franz Welser-Möst

A medieval romance rooted in Celtic legend, Wagner's seamless music weaves the story of forbidden love between Isolde, an Irish princess, and Tristan, a servant of King Marke of Cornwall, sent to retrieve Isolde to be the King's bride.

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Le Temple de la Gloire

Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra & Chorale

Saturday, June 29, 2019 - 1:00pm

Composer:

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Conductor:

Nicholas McGegan

Set to a libretto by Voltaire, this opera-ballet is an allegorical tale of characteristics of a ruler who may be worthy of honor in the Temple of Glory. This broadcast features a world premiere recording of Rameau's original 1745 version, recorded live in 2017 in Berkeley, California, in a performance by the Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, conducted by Nicholas McGegan, with singers Aaron Sheehan, Philippe-Nicolas Martin, and Artavazd Sargsyan.

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Previous broadcasts

Ariadne auf Naxos

The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall

Saturday, June 15, 2019 - 1:00pm

Composer:

Richard Strauss

Conductor:

Franz Welser-Möst

Richard Strauss's comedy, premiered in 1912, is a tale of rival entertainment troupes competing for attention, set to Strauss's buoyant music. This broadcast is a record from a live, staged production by the Cleveland Orchestra, from earlier this year in Severance Hall, with singers Tamara Wilson, Andreas Schager and Kate Lindsey, conducted by Franz Welser-Möst.

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Romeo et Juliette

Wolf Trap Opera

Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 1:00pm

Composer:

Charles Gounod

Conductor:

Eric Melear

Gounod's version of the Shakespeare tragedy of ill-fated lovers from rival families. A production of Wolf Trap Opera's 2018 season, featuring Alexander McKissick and Madison Leonard, conducted by Eric Melear.

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