~posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA’s mid-day host

On Wednesday’s episode of Classical Austin, we featured a spotlight on Austin Lyric Opera’s Production of “La Traviata,” by Giuseppe Verdi.

I had some special guests in the studio! Namely, the stars of the opera: “Violetta,” Pamela Armstrong (soprano),  “Alfredo,” Texas-born Chad Shelton (tenor), and the Principal Conductor of Austin Lyric Opera, Maestro Richard Buckley. We learned about some of the challenges and thrills of performing this stunning masterpiece. 

There was more to the interview than we could fit into the show, so if you would like to hear more, or if you missed the show,  click here for your listening pleasure.

(If you heard the show, the music I played was from a recording that featured Cheryl Studer, Lucian Pavarotti, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of James Levine. Deutsche Grammaphon 435 797.)

Austin Lyric Opera performances will be November 6th, 10th, 12th & 14th, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

KMFA will broadcast the opening-night event, Saturday, November 6th, with a “pre-game” show starting at 5:30pm.

More information about the performance can be found at www.austinlyricopera.org

~Dianne Donovan is KMFA’s midday announcer and host/producer of Classical Austin.