Podcast appearances and mentions of franz lehar

The world of Vienna at the end of the 19th century was a world of change.  New design, new fashion and new philosophy  -- and new music.  But amidst sweeping change, the Viennese drank champagne and were swept along by the works of the great Johann Strauss II, known appropriately as the "Waltz King". One of his greatest works is the operetta megahit Die Fledermaus which, beneath its frivolity and popping champagne corks, lies a darker vision and foreshadowing of a very different world to come. In this episode, Carl is joined by returning musicologist and professional musician Dr. Christopher Brellochs for a look at Strauss and his most famous work -- how he created it and what he was trying to communicate to audiences.   In addition, Carl and Chris take a look at another blockbuster operetta, The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar and discuss how the musical form has evolved into a modern era.  Lastly, this episode ends with a look at just how works like Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow have influenced our modern Broadway musical theatre today. Visit the Gilded Gentleman website for more episodes.

Ohrwürmer, große Gefühle, Intrigen und mittendrin eine starke Frau - die lustige Witwe hat es in sich. Mit der Wiener Premiere von 1905 beginnt ein neuer Siegeszug der Operette. Und aus dem unbekannten Militärkapellmeister Franz Lehar wird der meist aufgeführte Komponist seiner Zeit. Von Michael Lohse.

Franz Lehar - Gold and Silver WaltzSlovak Radio Symphony OrchestraMichael Dittrich, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.660205-06Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon

Nuestro último capítulo de la temporada sirve para poner punto y final a nuestro repaso por la vida del compositor ruso Sergei Prokofiev. Además hablaremos del club de los 27 y de Franz Lehar.

Er nennt sich "Großkünstler", aber Kleinkunst kann er auch. Er ist Schauspieler und Regisseur, Moderator und Conférencier, macht Lesungen und Schellack-Konzerte, er hat eine ausgebildete Baritonstimme, und er liebt und singt Chansons. Aus Groß- und Kleinkunst setzt sich auch die Musik zusammen, die Jo van Nelsen heute mitbringt: von Richard Strauss bis Hildegard Knef, von Franz Lehar bis Stefan Gwildis.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is part of this month's series of unissued or newly unearthed albums. This one falls into the latter category. People were aware this date took place as it was listed in discographies but only one tune was ever actually issued. John Coltrane's contract with Impulse Records included a clause that he would have private tapes of everything he recorded for the label. When he died in 1967 some tapes went to his first wife Naima and some went to his second wife Alice. When they passed away the estate was turned over to his son saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Ravi unearthed this long forgotten and lost recording session by Coltrane's "classic" Quartet. In the Quartet were Coltrane on soprano and tenor saxophones, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. They were at their early peak on March 6, 1963 when this recording happened. Seven compositions will be heard, two are untitled originals by Coltrane. Two standards are included: "Nature Boy" by Eden Ahbez and "Vilia" by Franz Lehar. Three well known Coltrane originals make up the rest: "Impressions" and "One Up, One Down"and a "Slow Blues". This album is an amazing discovery worth your attention and is tonight's Jazz Feature.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is part of this month's series of unissued or newly unearthed albums. This one falls into the latter category. People were aware this date took place as it was listed in discographies but only one tune was ever actually issued. John Coltrane's contract with Impulse Records included a clause that he would have private tapes of everything he recorded for the label. When he died in 1967 some tapes went to his first wife Naima and some went to his second wife Alice. When they passed away the estate was turned over to his son saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Ravi unearthed this long forgotten and lost recording session by Coltrane's "classic" Quartet. In the Quartet were Coltrane on soprano and tenor saxophones, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. They were at their early peak on March 6, 1963 when this recording happened. Seven compositions will be heard, two are untitled originals by Coltrane. Two standards are included: "Nature Boy" by Eden Ahbez and "Vilia" by Franz Lehar. Three well known Coltrane originals make up the rest: "Impressions" and "One Up, One Down"and a "Slow Blues". This album is an amazing discovery worth your attention and is tonight's Jazz Feature.

Im heutigen Podcast geht es um die erfolgreichste Operette aller Zeiten, die 1905 am Theater an der Wien uraufgeführt wurde. Die Story um die reiche Witwe Hanna Glawari, die sich ihren Ex-Verlobten Graf Danilo in Paris angelt, ist witzig und erstaunlich selbstbewusst für das Frauenbild der damaligen Zeit. Auch der Herzschmerz kommt nicht zu kurz, denn auch die junge Baronin Valencienne lebt verbotenene Liebe mit dem Franzosen Camille... Ob sie am Ende entdeckt wird? Dazu kommen musikalische Hits am laufenden Band, wie "Lippen schweigen" oder "Ja, das Studium der Weiber ist schwer"…  Nicht umsonst wurde die Operette von 1905 bis 1948 weltweit schon mehr als 300.000 mal aufgeführt und heute ist es sicher ein Vielfaches.  Wenn Du meinen Führer über die Operette anhören möchtest, ist dieser hier zu finden: Spieloper und Operette Episode 28 Termine  von 27.8.22 - 19.2.23 für die Lustige Witwe an der Oper Wuppertal gibt es hier: Oper Wuppertal

Er nennt sich "Großkünstler", aber Kleinkunst kann er auch. Er ist Schauspieler und Regisseur, Moderator und Conférencier, macht Lesungen und Schellack-Konzerte, er hat eine ausgebildete Baritonstimme, und er liebt und singt Chansons. Aus Groß- und Kleinkunst setzt sich auch die Musik zusammen, die Jo van Nelsen heute mitbringt: von Richard Strauss bis Hildegard Knef, von Franz Lehar bis Stefan Gwildis. (Wdh. vom 31.10.21)

durée : 01:28:52 - Musica alla zingara (2/5) - par : François-Xavier Szymczak - Les Zigeuner sont des personnages récurrents de l'opérette viennoise. Nous les retrouvons du Baron Tzigane de Johann Strauss à la Princesse Csardas ou la Comtesse Maritza de Kalman, en passant par L'Amour Tzigane, Zigeunerliebe de Franz Lehar. - réalisé par : Céline Parfenoff

MOZART, BEETHOVEN & MAS celebrates the arrival of the New Year with the music of Franz Lehar and Johann Strauss Jr.

Am 18.12. feiert "Giuditta" an der Bayerischen Staatsoper Premiere. Das Stück von Franz Lehar wird mit Liedern und Orchesterkompositionen seiner Zeitgenossen erweitert. Daniel Behle singt nicht nur in der Produktion mit, sondern hat kürzlich auch eine eigene Operette geschrieben.

Besides The Merry Widow, Franz Lehar composed many operettas. OPERA FOR ALL presents the beautiful LAND OF SMILES, with beautiful tunes for the tenor, the main character in the operetta. A Chinese diplomat falls in love with a European woman, but the cultural differences do not allow them to fulfill their love.

Vandaag wordt het een ietwat  licht – klassiek – uur  na evenwel driemaal muzikaal te hebben gebeden gaan wij verder met de volgende componisten: Johann Strauss, Enrique Granados, Franz Lehar, Anton Rubinstein, Richard Heuberger, Ernesto Lecuona, Peter Tsjaïkovki, Paraskevas Grekis, Giovanni Capuro, Jean Wiener, Massimo Freccia en zo reizen wij doorheen verschillende landen.

Esta setmana, a la secció Conserves Musicals, el músic i escriptor de Deltebre Miquel Àngel Marín, ens ha parlat de música popular "de pas". I hem pogut tastar peces de Stephen Foster, Franz Lehar i Charles Ives, tres grans compositors els quals tenen una gran història al darrere.

Boisterous timpani joined by blazing brass set the scene for the riotous fifth movement. The long, arduous first movement, after three shorter movements developmental in mood, is finally equalled by a substantial ‘daylight' finale. The movement is a rondo combined with a set of eight variations, capped off by a dramatic coda. There are parodies of Richard Wagner (1813-1883) – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Franz Lehar (1870-1948) – The Merry Widow.---A listening guide of Symphony No. 7 - 5th Movement with Lew Smoley.

Dopo mesi di chiusura a causa del COVID-19, riprende la stagione lirica all'Opera House di Sydney con l'operetta "La Vedova Allegra" di Franz Lehar, seguita da "Ernani" di Verdi in co-produzione con La Scala di Milano.

In Franz Lehar's operetta The Merry Widow, the men cheerfully complain "the study of women is hard," and the women dance circles around them! Premiered in the early twentieth century, The Merry Widow was an international sensation on an unprecedented scale. Its songs were widely distributed, its action adapted into films, and its costumes imitated widely in department stores. Come for the music, stay for the parties… all three of them! You never know, you might just find yourself a fan! Hosted by Pat with illustrator and opera-lover Rosie Brooks

Lex Musta tells the interracial story of how the January 20th 1955 first-in-the-nation student-led sit-in integration of a lunch counter came about (6:00), led by Dr. Helen Hicks in Baltimore from Morgan State University. It was facilitated by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) activity in Baltimore founded by Dr. Herbert Kelman and Robert Watts in 1952, an interracial coalition which laid the ground work for the national student-led sit-in movement six years before Greensboro (7:10). In 1953 CORE integrates (Kresge) KMart lunch counters in Baltimore (8:15). In 1953 CORE integrates Woolworth lunch counters in Baltimore (9:37). In 1954 CORE integrates McCrory's and Grant's lunch counters in Baltimore with sit-ins, one year before 1955 first-in-nation student sit-ins (9:55). 1954 Read's Drug Store integrated by CORE's Robert Watts and his Morgan State Students and their 8 month sit-in, leading up to Dr. Helen Hicks led sit in (10:14). 1946-1952 NAACP integration of Ford's Theater with the participation of a 13 year old Helen Hicks, led by Adah Jenkins Baltimore Interracial Fellowship, Professor of Music at Morgan State and Charter Member of CORE. Leading actors Basil Rathbone and Edward Robinson boycotted Ford as a result. Dr. Lilly Jackson joined this protest leading to Franz Lehar's 'The Merry Widow' being the first desegregated play perform. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. considers every American to be proud of the Jackson family's contributions to Civil Rights (13:40). 1932 Juanita Jackson desegregated her dormitory in Pennsylvania after being denied schooling in Baltimore. Thurgood Marshall also integrated a movie theater in Pennsylvania after being denied schooling in Baltimore. Thurgood Marshall and Juanita Jackson founded and led Baltimore's City Wide Young People's Forum in 1931. The youth started the program: "No employment, No Business." The Forum was based at the Bethel AME Church in Baltimore. The daughter activated her mother Dr. Lilly Jackson to become the President of the NAACP supported financially by her father Keifer Jackson who popularized films with showings of positive portrayals of African Descent Americans (18:50). Juanita Jackson helped Lieutenant Violet Hill Whyte, become the first ever African Descent American Police Officer in Baltimore in 1937, the daughter of the Pastor of Bethel AME Church Daniel Hill (21:14). Juanita Jackson, following the murder of 9 African Americans by Baltimore Policemen from 1937-1942, and Pvt. Broadus being gunned down for hailing a non-licensed cab, she organized 150 Baltimore Organizations into a Citizen's Committee for Justice to form a 2000 person caravan of busses and cars to travel the 25 miles to Annapolis to meet with the Governor Herbert O'Conor and demand change on April 24, 1942 (21:45). The Bethel AME Church leadership in Baltimore Social Change work was established in 1785 with its first official pastor Rev. Daniel Coker penning the first African Descent American written anti-enslavement Tract in 1810, the Dialogue between a Virginian and an African minister (26:54). Mr. Church member Charles Hacket, a conductor on the underground railroad, led three years of indignation meetings (prayer and fasting for 24 hours in the church for change) to defeat 1860 bill to enslave all 100,000 African descent freemen in Maryland. (23:44). In 1863 Hacket recruited two United States Colored Troop regiments in Baltimore, the 4th Regiment in September and the 7th Regiment. December 5-8 1879 Indignation Meetings held to hire first African Descent teacher, Roberta Sheridan, in Baltimore public schools since 1865 when they were all fired. In 1885, Rev. Harvey Johnson founded the Order of the Regulators - a civil rights advocacy organization. My daughter asked for a prayerful interlude, and we sing the Song of the Prophets (25:41). Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall, with the support of Alpha Phi Alpha, integrated UMD law school with the case of Donald Gaines Murray.

durée : 01:28:52 - Musica alla zingara (2/5) - par : François-Xavier Szymczak - Les Zigeuner sont des personnages récurrents de l'opérette viennoise. Nous les retrouvons du Baron Tzigane de Johann Strauss à la Princesse Csardas ou la Comtesse Maritza de Kalman, en passant par L'Amour Tzigane, Zigeunerliebe de Franz Lehar. - réalisé par : Céline Parfenoff

Hear 3 funny and interesting facts Franz Lehar’s operetta Land des Lächelns. If you want to know more about opera, opera-Inside offers you everything your heart desires. Visit the opera blog WWW.OPERA-INSIDE.COM and learn interesting facts about famous operas. With beautiful YouTube Videos with the best singers like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo or Maria Callas.

Ce mois-ci, nous écoutons l'Heure Exquise, celle du cinéaste marseillais René Allio,  réalisé en 1981. Un moyen métrage de 60 minutes, tourné en 16mm, dans  le labyrinthe de Marseille. La voix off de l'auteur est présente tout au  long de cette Heure Exquise. Il nous accompagne pour conter sa ville,  dont les traverses et les sinuosités trament ses propres narrations  familiales. Après guerre, René Allio quitte sa région d'origine pour s'engager dans  une carrière théâtrale qui lui permet d'atteindre la notoriété en tant  que décorateur, costumier, puis scénographe. Son retour à Marseille  s'amorce dans les années soixante et connaît deux temps, étroitement  liés à son cinéma. En 64, il choisi Marseille pour planter le décor de  son premier film, La Vieille dame indigne, qui lui vaut un véritable  succès populaire. 5 films et 13 ans plus tard, il signe son 7e  long-métrage, Retour à Marseille. L'Heure Exquise en fut le versant  documenté et autobiographique ; une réconciliation avec son histoire  familiale, ancrée dans son territoire natal. En 1980, sur le tournage de  L'Heure Exquise, René Allio disait ceci : « Dire que, comme Marseille  qui, aussi vieille que Rome, n'a pas gardé de monuments comme si elle  n'avait pas d'histoire, ce film ne parlera ni de grandes choses, ni de  grands événements, ni de grands hommes. » L'Heure Exquise est un hommage à un air célèbre de l'opérette  autrichienne La Veuve Joyeuse de Franz Lehar. « Je me souviens comme  j'allais en voiture jusqu'au Parc Borely pour y marcher, courir, d'avoir  entendu sur France Musique un morceau de la Veuve Joyeuse : nommée  L'Heure Exquise ; et dans tout ce contexte sentimental de retour à  Marseille, et du remuement du passé, de l'émotion qui m'a étreint en  entendant le morceau parce qu'il me faisait à la fois penser à mon père  et ma mère jeunes, et aux sentiments que j'éprouvais adolescent quand je  pensais à l'amour. » Débarrassé de tout dogme esthétique, ce film propose une « exploration  sentimentale », un parcours à travers le Marseille des grands-parents de  René Allio, immigrés italiens installés entre Bon Secours et  Saint-Gabriel, jouxtant la Belle de Mai. Dans ce film mémorial, on  descend en ville et on remonte dans le passé de l'auteur. On saisit des  habitudes et les histoires familiales qui bercèrent son enfance, gagnant  le statut de mythes au fil des récits. Gestes, images, sons, lieux sont  autant de souvenirs que René Allio réagence de film en film pour  dresser le portrait d'une ville qui prolonge et compile ces héros qui ne  laissent pas de traces.

durée : 01:28:52 - Musica alla zingara (2/5) - par : François-Xavier Szymczak - Les Zigeuner sont des personnages récurrents de l'opérette viennoise. Nous les retrouvons du Baron Tzigane de Johann Strauss à la Princesse Csardas ou la Comtesse Maritza de Kalman, en passant par L'Amour Tzigane, Zigeunerliebe de Franz Lehar. - réalisé par : Céline Parfenoff

Panelen hör en orkester med groove på en ny Franz Schreker-inspelning, sätter frågetecken vid de new age-iga texterna i Kaija Saarihahos sångcykel och så träffar vi skandaldirigenten Vasily Petrenko. Veckans skivor: MICHEL DALBERTO & NOVUS QUARTET CÉSAR FRANCK Pianokvintett m m av César Franck Michel Dalberto, piano Novuskvartetten Aparté Music Betyg: 4 KAIJA SAARIAHO TRUE FIRE, CIEL DIVER OCH TRANS Musik av Kaija Saariaho Gerald Finley, baryton Xavier de Maistre, harpa Finska radions symfoniorkester i Helsingfors Hannu Lintu, dirigent Ondine Betyg: 4 FRANZ SCHREKER ON ETERNAL LIFE, FANTASTIC OVERTURE & EKKEHARD Musik av Franz Schreker Tyska staatsfilharmonien i Rheinland-Pfalz Christopher Ward, dirigent Valda Wilson, sopran Capriccio Betyg: 5 JONAS KAUFMANN WIEN Operettmusik av tonsättare som Robert Stolz, Franz Lehar, Johann Strauss den yngre m.fl. Jonas Kaufmann, tenor Wienfilharmonikerna Adam Fischer, dirigent Sony Betyg: 3 Musikrevyn möter: Ryske skandaldirigenten Vasily Petrenko Häromdagen ersatte dirigenten Vasily Petrenko den insjuknade Mariss Jansons inför Bayerska radions symfoniorkester på turné i New York. Musikrevyns Albert Ehnrooth har träffat Petrenko och börjar med en känslig fråga apropå en intervju i en norsk tidning som fick världsspridning för några år sedan. I intervjun sa Petrenko att kvinnor lämpar sig sämre som dirigenter. Referensen: César Francks pianokvintett Vi jämför den aktuella inspelningen av César Francks pianokvintett med en inspelning från 1981 med Borodin-kvartetten och pianisten Svjatioslav Richter vid flygeln.

"Mister Snow" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel-Allyson Kurian"Feelings" from The Apple Tree by Sheldon Harnick by Cate Webber"Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim by Constance Rogalski"By My Side" from Godspell by Stephen Schwartz-Ensemble"You Don't Know This Man" from Parade by Jason Robert Brown by Amy Yoshizumi"Simple Little Things" from 110 In The Shade by N. Richard Nash by Cate Webber"Meine Lippen" from Guiditta by Franz Lehar by Constance Rogalski"I Will Never Leave You" from Sideshow by Russell and Krieger by Kate Bernhardt and Allyson Kurian"Still Hurting" from The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown by Amy Yoshizumi"Once You Lost Your Heart" from Me and My Girl by Jacqui Scott by Kate Bernhardt'You Could Drive A Person Crazy" from Company by Stephen Sondheim-Amy Yoshizumi, Constance Rogalski, Allyson Kurian, Cate WebberINTERMISSION"Flight" by Greg Carnelia-Amy Yoshizumi and Kate Bernhardt"I Remember" from Evening Primrose by Stephen Sondheim by Cate Webber"Used To Be Mine" by Sara Bareilles sung and accompanied by Kate Bernhardt"On The Steps Of The Palace" from Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim by Allyson Kurian"Pulled" from The Addams Family Musical by Andrew Lippa by Amy Yoshizumi"I Could Have Danced All Night" from Cinderella by Lerner and Loewe by Cate Webber"Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide by Leonard Bernstein by Constance Rogalski"Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife by Stephen Schwartz by Allyson Kurian"Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)" from Spring Awakening by Duncan Sheik-EnsembleSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/Famousmusicianspodcast)

Fine Music Radio — The hugely popular Suid Ooster Fees opens at the Artscape Theatre Complex on 25 April and runs until 1 May with a host of productions. One of the highlights will undoubtedly be Franz Lehar’s evergreen operetta, The Merry Widow which has one performance only at the Artscape Opera House on 27 April. The production is directed by the veteran opera director Christine Crouse who spent many years at Cape Town Opera and who is now a freelance director.

This album has been considered the "holy grail" of discoveries and just issued a few months ago. A n undiscovered recording session by John Coltrane's "classic quartet" at their peak. This session from March 6,1963 was never issued before. The reasons are long and complex but basically the session was done and forgotten during a very busy time in Coltrane's career. Gigs, concerts and other recording projects were happening at this time and as with all the recording sessions done for Coltrane's label, Impulse Records, he was given a tape to take home and assess and listen to in his own time. It was found in the possession of Naima's estate. Naima was Coltrane's first wife and she died in 1996. The tape was processed and programmed by Coltrane's son Ravi and issued to the public a few months ago. What a discovery! The Classic Quartet has John Coltrane on tenor and soprano saxophones and McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and the incredible Elvin Jones on drums. They are at their intuitive best here and they perform as one. There are seven tunes here, two are untitled Coltrane originals. Eden Ahbez' great composition "Nature Boy" is given a fine treatment and less challenging than his later 1965 version. "Vilia" by Franz Lehar is an unissued version with Coltrane on tenor saxophone. Then there is a great 12 minute blues proving Coltrane once again as a master blues player. Finally another Coltrane original called One Up, One Down closes the set. Sonny Rollins is quoted as saying that "this is like finding a new room in the great pyramid". That describes the music to a tee. Tonight's Jazz Feature "Both Directions at Once".

Liebe Hörerinnen und Hörer! Heute geht es weiter mit den Folgen zum Mozartoratorium! Diesmal habe ich Irene Spitzl interviewt. Sie wird die Barmherzigkeit singen! Hier einige Youtube-Links zu ihr: Vilja-Lied aus "Die lustige Witwe", Franz Lehar! https://youtu.be/hbvFvFXopSk Skyfall: https://youtu.be/JOLQ5GUKA-M Love me or leave me: https://youtu.be/eX5KCpnrbiw Ihre Homepage: https://irenespitzl.wordpress.com/uber/ meine Homepage: www.barbarapavelka.at/blog Viel Freude beim Hören! Eure Barbara Marie-Louise Pavelka --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/a-lyrical-singers-life/message

 „Der Graf von Luxemburg“ heißt eine Operette von Franz Lehar. Von dem Adligen handelt auch ein Schlager aus den 1960er Jahren. Aber hat es den Grafen tatsächlich gegeben? Audiotraveller Henry Barchet war auf Spurensuche im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. „The Count of Luxembourg“ is an operetta by Franz Lehar and the title of a German song. But did the Count really exist? Audiotraveller Henry Barchet went to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg  in search of the nobleman.  

Ohne Essen können wir Menschen nicht leben. Und Essen ohne Musik war für Adelige ganz und gar unvorstellbar! Ja, sie ließen sich sogar Musikstücke extra fürs Essen schreiben: sogenannte Tafelmusiken. Viele Komponisten haben Essen und Trinken vertont. Von Mozarts Butterbrot über die musikalische Dampfnudel bei Mendelssohn bis hin zum kompletten Schlaraffenland bei Franz Lehar. Do Re Mikro untersucht alles zum Thema Essen und Musik. Einer darf dabei natürlich nicht fehlen: Studioschaf Elvis kreiert in seinem Kochstudio ein eigenes Menü. Na dann, guten Appetit!

Michael Berkeley's guest this week is Alan Bennett. We know him as the much-loved playwright and diarist who's been entertaining and moving us as a writer and performer since Beyond the Fringe in 1960. But there's one aspect of Alan Bennett that's less well-known: the central importance of music in his life, including the extraordinary fact that he once wrote a libretto for William Walton. (Sadly, Lady Walton was not impressed, and shoved it firmly to the bottom of her handbag.) In a moving and funny programme, Alan Bennett remembers the music that filled his childhood: his father was a gifted violinist, and his aunts played the piano for silent movies. As a teenager, new worlds were opened up by concerts in Leeds Town Hall, where Bennett sat in the cheapest seats behind the musicians, 'like sitting behind the elephants at the circus'. And then came fame, and Hollywood: 'Elizabeth Taylor actually sat on my knee at one point. It was not a pleasant experience'. In a touching conclusion to the programme, Alan Bennett listens to Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and is stirred to think about the boy he used to be, and what that boy might say to him now. Music choices include a 1939 recording of 'I can give you the starlight' by Ivor Novello; a waltz by Franz Lehar; Brahms's Second Piano Concerto; Bach's St Matthew Passion; Walton's First Symphony; Elgar's Dream of Gerontius; and Ella Fitzgerald singing 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered'. This last song inspired The History Boys when Alan Bennett heard it on Private Passions in 2001. This special programme includes three bonus tracks available online: Alan Bennett chooses two further pieces of music, and talks about the music he hates and never wants to hear again. Produced by the Loftus Media Private Passions team (Elizabeth Burke, Jane Greenwood, Oliver Soden and Jon Calver).

In Victorian England, the unhappy wife of a repressed doctor yearns to feel alive - and finally takes matters into her own hands. In an imaginary steam-punk version of Victorian England, a band of brave, opera-singing women similarly yearn to be happy, free - and a little bit naughty - and they make it happen through the power of song. In East Berlin, Germany, a mysterious woman with a powerful secret survives against impossible odds, ultimately becoming an inspiration to a young American journalist. She survives through the power of her own belief in herself. In three productions either currently running or about to open in the North Bay, the concept of “gender” is just the tip of the iceberg in stories that challenge us, the audience, to look beneath the surface of some amazing human beings - some real, some fictional - all with something to show us we might not be expecting. Let’s start with "Heroines," opening tomorrow night at Sonoma State University. This one is a brand new original musical review featuring classic operetta tunes from the likes of Bertolt Brecht, Franz Lehar, Gilbert & Sullivan and others. It was created by musical director Lynn Morrow and stage director Jane Irwin Hammett, who appropriately titled their piece, "Heroines." Set during a time of radical change in England, when women were demanding the vote and a whole lot more, the piece pulls famous females from out of other stories and throws them all together. Due to a magical twist of time, these women from various centuries join forces to express their feelings through indelible songs borrowed from shows like "The Threepenny Opera," "The Merry Widow," and other musical masterpieces, and number from the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. In a fantasy version of London, these iconic characters come together in a city blending visuals from Dickens with ideas from Jules Verne, joining their hearts and voices in a revolutionary effort to break the shackles of tradition and inequality. Sounds fun, huh? New shows deserve our support, and SSU, in recent years, has made a strong effort to present at least one original show a year. And with voices recruited from SSU’s Departments of Music and Theater Arts & Dance, this is a production that probably will sound like a blast of pure operatic dynamite - and then some. Meanwhile, At Cinnabar Theater, Doug Wright’s Pulitzer-winning one-actor drama "I Am My Own Wife" introduces audiences to a different kind of heroine: the real-life Charlotte von Mahlsdorff, a transgender woman whose courage - and possibly a bit of treasonous duplicity - allowed her to escape Hitler’s concentration camps, and survive, in her own way, operating a small museum under the noses of her enemies, all during the communist party’s decades-long reign of suspicion and terror. I’ll be reviewing it in full next week. And finally, there’s Sarah Ruhl’s eye-opening drama, "In the Next Room," subtitled, "The Vibrator Play." This is a daring move for the usually fairly reserved Raven Players. The play looks at the marriage of a late Victorian woman and her husband, a doctor specializing in the treatment of hysterical women. He has been using a new treatment, made possible through the power of electricity, which seems to leave his patience extremely happy, and eager for their next appointment. It only his wife could become the focus of his attentions, she - and maybe even he - could find what is missing in their lives. Gorgeously written by Ruhl, it’s a love story with a jolt of raw truth, another story of what happens when strong women are given the power they need to take control of their own destinies, their own happiness, their own world. "I Am My Own Wife" runs February 6-22 at Cinnabar Theater, cinnabartheater.org. "Heroines" runs February 5-15 in the Evert B. Person Theater at Sonoma State University, Sonoma.edu. "In the Next Room" (or "The Vibrator Play") runs through February 14 at Raven Theater, Raventheater.org

The Metropolitan Opera presents Franz Lehar's delicious The Merry Widow carried live in HD throughout the world, this Saturday at 1 pm.