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Artwork for Lives in Song

Lives in Song

Opera Rara
Gaetano Donizetti
Opera Rara
Opera
Giacomo Puccini
Paris
Italian Opera
Gioachino Rossini
Il Sogno
Virginia Donizetti
D'un Genio Che M'accende
Vincenzo Bellini
Lamento Per Bellini
Lucia Di Lammermoor
La Fiancée Du Timbalier
Vienna
Verdi
Le Willis
1837
Bergamo
Naples

An Opera Rara podcast exploring the lives of composers through their music. Hosted by Flora Willson, Lives in Song offers listeners a deeper understanding of the music and the people behind opera’s enduring works. www.opera-rara.com

PublishesDailyEpisodes9Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsMusicMusic HistoryArts

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Artwork for Lives in Song

Latest Episodes

Giacomo Puccini is famous for his soaring melodies and heartbreaking arias, but his genius extended far beyond the vocal line.

In this episode of Lives in Song, host Flora Willson sits down with Carlo Rizzi, world-renowned conductor and Artistic Dir... more

In 1883, a young Giacomo Puccini entered a one-act opera competition in Milan. He lost. But that failure - his first opera, Le Willis - caught the attention of the powerful Ricordi publishing house, launching the career of the man who would become It... more

Giacomo Puccini was the fifth generation of a musical dynasty in Lucca, destined for a quiet life as a cathedral organist.

But after his father died when Giacomo was just six years old, that lineage was disrupted - and the trajectory of Italian oper... more

In the final episode of our season on Gaetano Donizetti, we trace the last chapter of the composer's life. Our Host Flora Willson and Opera Rara’s Repertory Consultant, Prof. Roger Parker, follow Donizetti from the vibrant salons of Paris to the pres... more

When Gaetano Donizetti arrived in Paris in the late 1830s, he entered the undisputed capital of the 19th-century opera world. Driven from Italy by personal tragedy and professional frustration, he launched a veritable invasion, writing simultaneously... more

In 1837, the death Gaetano Donizetti's beloved wife Virginia sent him into a profound crisis, prompting him to leave Italy for Paris. This tragic turning point also marked a new direction in his music, which became darker, more harmonically complex, ... more

In the 1830s, Gaetano Donizetti was at the height of his powers. With his operas conquering stages across Italy, he set his sights on the ultimate prize: Paris. But beyond the grand spectacle of the opera house, Donizetti was also exploring a more in... more

Join us as we travel back to the early 19th century to explore the beginnings of Gaetano Donizetti's career.

Forget the grand, dramatic operas for a moment.

In this episode of Lives in Song, we focus on his lesser-known talent for songwriting and h... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Alexandra Wilson
Opera scholar with extensive research on Puccini.
Episode: Puccini's Le Willis
Ditlev Rindom
Opera Scholar extraordinaire
None specified
Episode: Puccini: The Making of a Maestro
Roger Parker
Opera scholar and co-host
Opera Rara
Episode: Donizetti Sets Eyes on Vienna – “Monseigneur le duc de Bretagne”
Martin Cullingford
Editor of Gramophone magazine
Gramophone
Episode: Donizetti Sets Eyes on Vienna – “Monseigneur le duc de Bretagne”

Host

Flora Willson
Host of Lives In Song

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Puccini's Le Willis
Q: Why do you think Puccini's operas have had such a big staying power and are heard so often?
Puccini's music, characterized by humanity and modernity, resonates with timeless themes, making it easy to feel contemporary.
Puccini's Le Willis
Q: What books should I read to learn more about Puccini?
Books by Julian Budden and Michele Girardi offer insights into Puccini's life and works, while Alexandra Wilson's "The Puccini Problem" analyzes his reception during his lifetime.
Donizetti and French Culture – “Je ne me plaignis pas”
Q: What was the significance of the Paris opera houses for Donizetti?
Paris was the cultural hub of the 19th century, where established composers had carved out significant success, thus providing Donizetti with a platform to elevate his career.
Donizetti and French Culture – “Je ne me plaignis pas”
Q: How did Donizetti actually end up in Paris?
After the death of his wife Virginia in 1837, Donizetti fell out of love with the Italian opera scene, prompting him to move to Paris in search of new opportunities.
Young Donizetti: Escaping Rossini’s Shadow – “D’un genio”
Q: Why was Donizetti important?
He escaped the influence of Rossini and significantly influenced Verdi, along with being a sociable personality that attracts interest.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lives in Song

What is Lives in Song about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersections of biography and music, the episodes focus primarily on renowned composers from the realm of opera. Central to discussions is the life and work of Gaetano Donizetti and Giacomo Puccini, with engaging analyses of their musical contributions and personal struggles. Each episode often features insights from scholars, bringing a nuanced understanding of not only specific compositions but also the broader cultural and historical contexts that shaped these artists. Notably, episodes delve into significant themes such as loss, love, and artistic inspiration, revealing how personal narratives intertwine with their lasting legacies in the operatic genre. This particular focus on personal backgrounds alongside musical expl... more

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How many episodes of Lives in Song are there?

Lives in Song launched 5 months ago and published 9 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Lives in Song?

Recent guests on Lives in Song include:

1. Alexandra Wilson
2. Ditlev Rindom
3. Roger Parker
4. Martin Cullingford

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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