kdtonbroadway:

Did I mention that I enjoy opera as well?  The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti played on Broadway in 1947 and was subsequently produced on televesion by CBS the next year starring Broadway cast member, Marie Pawers (among others).  I love seeing vintage productions.  We have come a long way in certain aesthetic (directing/acting) aspects, but overall this is a true work of art.  I love the piano in the orchestration.  And also Lois Hunt playing the daughter, Monica.  

ZOMG!  The things you’ll find on YouTube these days.  I love the works of Gian-Carlo Menotti, and think television is the ideal format for his operas.  I had seen the 1951 film version of The Medium (which is slightly expanded and features a pre-Carnival! Anna Maria Alberghetti as the daughter) years ago.  But this is a true delight.  If the physical realization is static and rather literal, the performances are fantastic, the score gorgeously presented, and Menotti’s psychological ghost story surprisingly compelling.

theatreaficionado:

There was no original cast recording made of Regina, but Marc Blitzstein managed to preserve a few moments of the original cast performing pieces of the score. Here is Brenda Lewis, the original Birdie, singing Birdie’s Aria “Lionnet” accompanied by Blitzstein on the piano.

Lewis reportedly stopped the show cold with this piece from the very first performance. This is - as far I’m aware - the only recording of her performing the aria she introduced. She’s more well-known for performing the title role in this work, which she played many times including the 1958 NYCO production (which resulted in the show’s first cast album).

paireyes:

The Overture to Paul Shapera’s “The Steampunk Opera”

Steampunk paid a proper audio lipservice.

Check the whole thing out here: http://mochalab.bandcamp.com/album/the-steampunk-opera-act-1

interesting. not sure where (if anywhere) this “opera” is headed. but intrigued. Click the link and check out other tracks (there are only 6 total)

modern-sisyphus:

A diva in the best sense of the word.

it looks like she’s about to sing “Ain’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” from THE WIZ.  That’s not a bad thing