Podcast appearances and mentions of Ben Heppner

In January 2025 Seattle Opera will present two concert performances of LES TROYENS À CARTHAGE, the second part (Acts 3, 4, & 5) of Berlioz's monumental masterpiece LES TROYENS. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces the music of Berlioz and this full-length program, sharing musical examples from recordings of Georges Thill singing French tenor arias; Les Troyens conducted by Colin Davis in 1969 (with the orchestra and chorus of Covent Garden and Jon Vickers); from 2000 (Davis conducting the London Symphony orchestra and chorus, Ben Heppner, Michelle DeYoung, and Sara Mingardo); and from 2017 (John Nelson conducts the Orchestre and Choeur philharmonique de Strasbourg, Joyce DiDonato, and Cyrille Dubois).

Espacio dedicado a los mejores intérpretes del arte vocal lírico con la producción de Carolina Valdés y locución de Sergio Morales.  Lunes a partir de las 12:00 hrs. en 95.1 FM y www.radioudec.cl

And I think it was in the middle of that process that I started to realize that like the Israelites sort of collecting their stones and piling them all together, and to what is called an Ebenezer, I think, here I raise mine every day. And so, all these things started to dawn on me that this was a thing, and I hadn't realized that these stones were related, and they needed...then they build up to something. And so, it didn't happen before, it happened during the process of becoming an opera singer. And then, as the career progressed, the talking about it I was sort of forced always to talk about faith and sort of what it meant to me. I mean, it was in a very cursory kind of way, but it was frequently brought up and then maybe that was also contributed to the fact that I realized it was more of a call than I had realized.---In this episode, listen as Ben Heppner (Canadian tenor and broadcaster) shares with Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling (Ambassador, Canadian Bible Society) about the role of Scripture in his life. Recorded as part of a series entitled The Word for Life: When Scripture Comes Alive, Ben talks about discovering in his early years a view of the Bible as bread, not stone, that gives life, and points you to Jesus. Referring to Joshua 4:9 and 1 Samuel 7, he shares how, in retrospect, he realized that over the years, God helped him to add different elements to his toolkit, including opera. He explains how the church has been foundational in his life and acknowledges that it was in the church that he learned the ropes of being a public singer.Ben Heppner is a celebrated Canadian tenor whose career highlights include roles in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, and La Scala. Ben Heppner's contributions to the world of classical music extend to concert performances, recordings, and collaborations with renowned orchestras and conductors. He is a 1988 winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions and received Grammy® Awards in 1998 for his recording of Die Meistersinger on London/Decca records and in 2001 for his recording of Les Troyens with the London Symphony Orchestra on LSO Live. Heppner hosted CBC Radio's SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA, featuring the finest opera productions and recordings from around the world from 2013 to 2021, and now hosts CBS Radio's BACKSTAGE, where he shares stories from behind the scenes. Ben Heppner lives in Toronto with his wife. He has three grown children and five grandchildren. Heppner loves drinking coffee on the deck and touring the countryside on his motorcycle.

In this episode, listen as Ben Heppner (Canadian tenor and broadcaster) shares with Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling (Ambassador, Canadian Bible Society) about the role of Scripture in his life. Recorded as part of a series entitled The Word for Life: When Scripture Comes Alive, Ben talks about discovering in his early years a view of the Bible as bread, not stone, that gives life, and points you to Jesus. Referring to Joshua 4:9 and 1 Samuel 7, he shares how, in retrospect, he realized that over the years, God helped him to add different elements to his toolkit, including opera. He explains how the church has been foundational in his life and acknowledges that it was in the church that he learned the ropes of being a public singer.Ben Heppner is a celebrated Canadian tenor whose career highlights include roles in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, and La Scala. Ben Heppner's contributions to the world of classical music extend to concert performances, recordings, and collaborations with renowned orchestras and conductors. He is a 1988 winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions and received Grammy® Awards in 1998 for his recording of Die Meistersinger on London/Decca records and in 2001 for his recording of Les Troyens with the London Symphony Orchestra on LSO Live. Heppner hosted CBC Radio's SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA, featuring the finest opera productions and recordings from around the world from 2013 to 2021, and now hosts CBS Radio's BACKSTAGE, where he shares stories from behind the scenes. Ben Heppner lives in Toronto with his wife. He has three grown children and five grandchildren. Heppner loves drinking coffee on the deck and touring the countryside on his motorcycle.---Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.caConnect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesocietyWhether you're well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world's best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate---Learn more about Ben Heppner thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ben-heppner 

Wagner's revolutionary masterpiece, often considered the most Romantic opera ever written, returns to Seattle Opera in October 2022. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces Tristan und Isolde, with musical examples from Seattle Opera's 1998 (starring Jane Eaglen, Ben Heppner, and Michelle DeYoung, conducted by Armin Jordan) and 2010 (conducted by Asher Fisch, with Simeon Esper as the Shepherd and the English Horn solo played by Stefan Farkas) productions, plus 2011 Die Zauberflöte  (conducted by Gary Thor Wedow and starring Philip Cutlip).

Featuring- well, you know when your grandma finds out that you like a certain fruit and then every time you see her for the next year she goes absolutely wild with how much of that fruit she gives you? That, but make it romantic. Thank you for listening to Solar Postal Services. This episode, The Lavender Lady, was written, performed, and produced by Emily Grigg, with theme music by KT Shames. This episode also featured the incredible song "Love You The Way I Do" by friend of the show Ben Heppner. You can stream it wherever you find music.Wanna send us some space mail? Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or follow us on twitter at SPS_Pod, tiktok at solarpostalservices, and tumblr at solarpostalservices. You can also email us at solarpostalservicespodcast@gmail.com. This episode features previously attributed sound effects from Freesound.org, plus extras licensed under a Creative Commons 0 License:For a full list of sound effects used, plus transcripts, theoretical cast bios, and, allegedly, more, visit our website at solarpostalservices.com.

Join us as we head to Canada to talk with an operatic legend, Ben Heppner about life at home during the pandemic, the best advice he received during his incredible career, the choice he made to retire from it all, and the motorcycle rides that bring clarity and serenity. https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/bio/ben-heppner www.screamingdivas.com  

Seattle Opera General Director Christina Scheppelmann spoke with soprano Jane Eaglen when “Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM” played TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, a 1998 production that featured role debuts for both Eaglen (as Isolde) and Ben Heppner (as Tristan). Eaglen describes that eventful summer, what it’s like to sing the Liebestod from Isolde’s point of view, and the importance of a prompter!

Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces several different types of tenor, from the agile-voiced, graceful and elegant tenori di grazia, to the heroic and powerful tenori di forza, and all points in between. Includes musical examples featuring many favorite Seattle Opera tenors: Antonello Palombi, Edgardo Rocha, Laurence Brownlee, William Burden, Matthew Polenzani, Ben Heppner, James McCracken, Stefan Vinke, Francesco Demuro, Joseph Calleja, Alasdair Elliott, Peter Kazaras, Marcello Giordani, Neil Shicoff, Russell Thomas, Franco Corelli, and Vinson Cole.

Five tenors who are all acclaimed for their Wagner interpretations. Listen and enjoy Lauritz Melchior, Jon Vickers, Jess Thomas, Ben Heppner and Jonas Kaufmann. The post Five Wagnerian Tenors appeared first on WFMT.

In this series of podcasts, Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean gives listeners a taste of nine different types of traditional opera. Music Drama was the personal solution to the problems of presenting opera in nineteenth-century Europe developed by composer/librettist Richard Wagner, opera’s ultimate mad genius. These long, loud, big works challenge artists, audiences, and the art form itself. Their complex music and unique spins on old stories continue to attract, repel, and provoke all who encounter them. Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (1865) serves as an example of the genre, as does the Richard Strauss opera Elektra (1909). Musical examples on this podcast drawn from Seattle Opera productions of Lohengrin 1994, conducted by Hermann Michael; Parsifal 2003, conducted by Asher Fisch and starring Stephen Milling; Die Walküre, conducted by Robert Spano, 2005 (starring Jane Eaglen) and 2009; Siegfried, 2013, conducted by Asher Fisch; and Tristan und Isolde (1998, conducted by Armin Jordan and starring Jane Eaglen and Ben Heppner; 2010, conducted by Asher Fisch; opening and English horn solo from the 1966 Bayreuth Festival recording conducted by Karl Böhm; conclusion of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Karajan (Deutsche Gramophon 1977); Elektra, Astrid Varnay and Leonie Rysanek with the orchestra of West German Radio conducted by Richard Kraus (Melodram 1953). Stay tuned for another podcast introducing another kind of opera next week!

Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces several different types of tenor, from the agile-voiced, graceful and elegant tenori di grazia, to the heroic and powerful tenori di forza, and all points in between. Includes musical examples featuring many favorite Seattle Opera tenors: Antonello Palombi, Edgardo Rocha, Laurence Brownlee, William Burden, Matthew Polenzani, Ben Heppner, James McCracken, Stefan Vinke, Francesco Demuro, Joseph Calleja, Alasdair Elliott, Peter Kazaras, Marcello Giordani, Neil Shicoff, Russell Thomas, Franco Corelli, and Vinson Cole.

Episode #86 Sitting down with David Warrack was a real treat for me. David strikes me as someone who has, over time, become even more passionate about the arts and living a creative lifestyle. He has not become jaded or bitter about certain projects not going the way he wanted or maybe not even being produced at all. He has figured out a way to adapt and go with the flow of change in the industry through his career as an artist. David is a real champion of the artist. Your success is his success and he strives to create that kind of supportive environment wherever he goes by creating and producing new work, cheering on his colleagues, and most of all listening to the thoughts and feelings of others until they feel understood. The last thing he said to me before we parted was, “I am only an email away” and after spending time with him, I knew he meant it. Sometimes it’s what people say that impacts me the most and sometimes it's the impact of who they are that leaves the biggest impression. With David, it was both. In this episode, we discuss what changes he would like to see happen in the entertainment industry, why he believes every artist should explore writing on some level, what was the biggest takeaway from his lunch with Leonard Bernstein and so much more!   About David: Conductor, Pianist, Organist, Composer, Lyricist, Book-Writer, Musical Director, Orchestrator, Arranger, Singer, Vocal Coach, Music Producer, Producer (theatre, television, recordings), Guest Lecturer, Teacher Toured for fifteen years with Maureen Forrester, starting with the Vancouver Symphony at EXPO 86 (CD), 5 years with Jeff Hyslop (CD), and 8 years with Michael Burgess, in each case as Musical Director/Accompanist/Conductor.  In 2013, enjoyed a 19 concert cross Canada tour with Rebecca Caine and Michael Burgess.  2010 – 2015:  conductor of the Rose Orchestra in Brampton.   Starting in 2017 – touring with the quartet of Rebecca Caine, Ben Heppner, Gary Relyea, and Jean Stillwell. Musical Director of over 200 shows for stage or television, including SHENANDOAH on Broadway, 9 of Ross Petty’s Pantomimes at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre, the cross Canada tour of JACQUES  BREL …, the Vancouver production of UNFORGETTABLE, seven consecutive years at the Elora Festival, and all of the CBC’s DuMAURIER SEARCH FOR STARS.   Founding Conductor of the Canada Pops Orchestra. Credited as writer or co-writer of 79 professionally produced musicals, including some of the longest running shows in Toronto’s Theatre History (FLICKS, SWEET REASON, THE VAUDEVILLIANS, TEASE FOR TWO).  ROB ROY opened at the Edinburgh Festival (Scotland) in 2006 to rave reviews, and was recorded in 2007. More recently, THE THREE DAVIDS (the music of David Shire, David Frishberg, and David Warrack) premiered in 2013.  A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, written with Norm Foster, premiered at Theatre Collingwood in 2014. The Oratorio ABRAHAM premiered in Toronto in 2015 with Richard Margison in the starring role, along with a cast of 6, plus the Bach Children’s Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers.   Current: SHE’S NO LADY in workshop; CATWALK optioned as a film. Beginning with the 1972 radio special of the Charlottetown Festival’s BALLADE (orchestrator, conductor), over 40 years as a studio musician.  Recent: THE SECOND TIME AROUND (film). Huge body of choral and instrumental work. Created role of Jack Ayre in THE DUMBELLS at the Charlottetown Festival.  Shared the stage over the years with iconic performers, including Ronnie Hawkins, Don Harron, Len Cariou (most recently at 2013 Stratford Music Festival), Sheila McCarthy, Marilyn Lightstone, Sheila Brand, Brent Carver, Louise Pitre, Juan Chioran, George Masswohl, Mary Pitt, Thom Allison, Ma Anne Dionisio, Cynthia Dale, and Amanda Martinez.  Recently performed with the Bravura Baritones. Playing for Blues/Gospel Diva Jackie Richardson in October and November.  THE UNIVERSE IS DANCING (one man show) in October (Guelph, then the Jazz Bistro in Toronto).  CD release Hugh’s Room. In December.Christmas/Hanukkah show with Theresa Tova. 1980: produced TORONTO TORONTO, which ran for three years, followed by 2 years of TORONTO TORONTO 2. 1981: He had six shows running simultaneously in Toronto and he produced the award-winning CBC television superspecial  ALL FOR ONE. 1981 – 1983, he produced the Dora Mavor Moore Award shows for Toronto theatre, the only three years they were ever televised. He has won three Doras: producing TORONTO TORONTO, producing ON TAP, and music directing CLOSER THAN EVER. Starting in 1985, he was a regular guest on Peter Gzowski’s MORNINGSIDE (CBC radio) singing his trademark satirical songs, and creating songs spontaneously. Organist/Choir Director at Hillcrest Christian Church since 2006. Part of three man artistic team (along with Michael James and Kevin McCormick) who created SONGS OF THE CITY for United Way Toronto (now United Way Toronto/York Region) in 2015, a theatrical event originally presented at the Jane Mallet Theatre, which matches up three United Way speakers who have been “rescued” by a United Way sponsored organization with a three composers who each write a song about his or her experience. These songs are then performed during the evening, along with other selections which celebrate the renewal of the human spirit.  A second SOTC took place this past spring, and a third is happening in April, 2017, moving into the 1,000-seat Wintergarden Theatre.  A version took place last year in Fredericton, New Brunswick , and one is being planned for Halifax, Nova Scotia early in 2017.  Created as a Donor Appreciation Event, SONGS OF THE CITY has had a huge impact already in terms of increased pledges to support the remarkable work of United Way in the community. While the ongoing involvement in the various segments of the arts community has not allowed David the time to contribute to the education of up and coming artists that he might have preferred, he has maintained a presence in developing students to become professional artists.  For 20 years, he has been on the faculty of the Avenue Road Arts School. He participated in the BMI Music Theatre Workshops in New York and Toronto, originally conceived by Lehman Engel.  When BMI no longer supported the Toronto workshops, Mr. Warrack kept them going on his own initiative. He has taught part-time at the Randolph Academy and the Ryerson Theatre School, and given numerous guest lectures at Sheridan College (now University).  For many years he was on the advisory board of Humber College, and he is currently on the advisory board of the Toronto Film School. He is also an honorary member of IATSE. David is married to Lona Davis, a celebrated musician in her own right, and they are blessed with three children – Gordon (Jessica), Cayleigh (Patrick) and Levi, as well as four grandchildren: Alexis, Grayson, Griffin, and Neave, all three years old or younger! Connect with David! www.davidwarrack.ca e:dwarrack@rogers.com      Chelsea thisischelseajohnson.com Facebook: @thisischelseajohnson Instagram: @thisischelseajohnson Twitter: @thisischelseaj  

For his fourth full opera, The Flying Dutchman, Wagner chose a popular maritime legend as the basis for an eerie and evocative work. In it, we meet an archetypal character that appears time and again in art and literature: the eternal wanderer. Neither dead nor alive, the Flying Dutchman is cursed to sail the seas for all eternity, searching for true love to save him.  This week on He Sang/She Sang, William Berger, author of the book Wagner without Fear, discusses one of history's most controversial and visionary composers. He explores the hit tunes and earworms, the power of transformation and the unexpected parallels between Wagner and The Beatles.  Overture to The Flying Dutchman (Round Top Festival Institute):   "Die frist ist um" (James Morris, bass-baritone):   This episode features excerpts from the following album: Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (Sony Classical, 1997)— James Morris, bass-baritone; Deborah Voigt, soprano; Ben Heppner, tenor; Jan-Hendrik Rootering, bass; the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by James Levine

Revolutionary times call for revolutionary music, and Beethoven was living in revolutionary times. At the beginning of the 19th century, he quickly became disillusioned by Napoleon Bonaparte — a leader who initially seemed concerned with freedom but was ultimately obsessed with his own power. Beethoven's political anguish rang out in his music, as did his deeply-held beliefs about the heroic power of ordinary people.  Beethoven spent more than 10 years revising Fidelio, the only opera he ever wrote. This was about more than music for the great composer. It was about freedom, devotion and the triumph of human dignity over tyranny. In this episode, host Merrin Lazyan speaks with Jessica Phillips, second clarinetist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, about Beethoven's revolutionary sound. We also hear from soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, who sings the lead role of Leonora, about the most moving musical moments in Fidelio. “O namelose Freude!” (Adrianne Pieczonka and Klaus Florian Vogt):  “Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben” (Adrianne Pieczonka and Falk Struckmann):  This episode features excerpts from the following album: Beethoven: Fidelio (Sony Classical, 1996)— Deborah Voigt, soprano; Ben Heppner, tenor; Matthias Hölle, bass; Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, soprano; Michael Schade, tenor; Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone; the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sir Colin Davis. 

Antonin Dvorak fell in love with the story of Rusalka as soon as he laid eyes on the libretto, and it was an immediate success when it premiered at the National Theater in Prague in 1901. Based primarily on two fairy tales (Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" and Friedrich de la Motte Fouque's "Undine"), it tells the story of a water nymph who falls in love with a prince and trades her voice to become human. Contrary to the Disney version, the story ends tragically for Rusalka. She is betrayed by the man she loves and she is doomed to spend the rest of her life trapped between the immortal world of the water nymphs and the mortal human world.  Rusalka's journey is one of extraordinary transformation — from nymph to human, from mortal to immortal, from water to land, from family to isolation, from love to betrayal, and from longing to resignation. We hear it all in Dvorak's lush score and we quickly understand why this opera is considered a national treasure in the Czech republic. In this episode, Merrin Lazyan and Julian Fleisher speak with WQXR overnight host Nimet Habachy about Dvorak's supernatural masterpiece. We also hear from soprano Kristine Opolais about her special connection to this role, about the betrayals we face and about the sacrifices we make for love.  Nimet's YouTube pick (Frederica von Stade):  Julian's YouTube picks:  This episode features excerpts from the following album: Dvorak: Rusalka (London/Decca, 1998)— Renée Fleming, soprano; Ben Heppner, tenor; Franz Hawlata, bass-baritone; Ivan Kusnjer, baritone; Livia Aghova, soprano; Dana Buresova, soprano; Hana Minutillo, mezzo-soprano; Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

This show is all-Wagner, all the time! In our ‘Chalk Talk’ segment, we talk about what makes Wagner, Wagner; and why his operas matter... ‘Monday Evening Quarterback’ revisits “Das Rheingold” at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Frank Martin’s “Le vin herbé” at Chicago Opera Theater... ‘TKO’ returns! Oliver Camacho is the judge as Jonas Kaufmann and Ben Heppner battle it out singing Siegmund’s aria “Winterstürme” from 'Die Walküre'... Plus, you get all your opera headlines in ‘The Two Minute Drill’... Don't forget to leave us a review -- with stars -- on iTunes, or troll us: @operaboxscore and #operaballs

We've waited a long, long time for this; but we finally have the great Canadian heldentenor Ben Heppner in our cast of Moby Dick, singing the role of Captain Ahab. In this interview with Nicolas Reveles, the Geisel Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera, the tenor talks about the creation of the role, its similarity to other roles he sings and the challenges of wearing a peg leg! Enjoy.

Tenor Ben Heppner talks about his love for jazz and tries to get Judy to sing an Ella and Louie style duet!

Selections from the cd's of 13 of our wonderful present-day tenors. We are so lucky to have them performing in the world of opera. In order, they are:            Ben Heppner, Johan Botha, Roberto Alagna, Marcelo Alvarez, Rolando Villazon, Salvatore Licitra, Ramon Vargas, Vittorio Grigolo, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flores, Joseph Calleja, Marcelo Giordani, and Piotr Beczala.   (60 min.)

Welcome to TENOR HEAVEN!!!!!     There are so many superb tenors in the opera world today,I thought you would like a sample of their art.They include: Lawrence Brownlee, Eric Cutler, Jan Botha, Salvatore Licitra, Ben Heppner, Marcelo Alvarez, Ramon Vargas, Roberto Alagna, Juan Diego Flores, Jonas Kaufmann, Rolando Villazon, David Daniels (countertenor), Marcelo Giordani, Joseph Calleja, Piotr Beczala (in photo).        (70 min.)

For many opera lovers around the world, Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka became a household word this summer after her critically praised performance as Sieglinde at this year's Bayreuth Festival. In this podcast, recorded from the Ballroom of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, you will hear two of Canada's finest singers together in concert for the first time. Superstar heldentenor Ben Heppner joins Ms. Pieczonka to perform Richard Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder, as well as arias from Die Walküre.