The International World
Of Great Sopranos

Instructor:  Giuseppe Albanese

Course Description:  They play some of the world’s most romantic heroines, and they do it with incredible style and beauty.  They are dramatic, exciting, tempestuous and sometimes fragile.  The sopranos, love interest of every great Opera, come from many lands and cultures.  Maestro Albanese explores six memorable “divas” in this retrospective, with documentaries featuring extensive performance footage and some materials never before presented.

Six Lectures

1 - From Greece:  Maria Callas
            A newly released documentary narrated by her close friend, Franco Zeffirelli, brings light to the enigma that was “La Divina.”
2 - From Austria:  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
            A self-portrait narrated by the soprano who established a legendary status in Europe, with memorable interpretations of opera’s greatest roles.  
3 - From New Zealand: Kiri Te Kanawa
            Coming from a mixed cultural background, the soprano explains how she overcame many obstacles to achieve an international reputation.
4 - From Canada:  Teresa Stratas
            Intense, spiritual, fatalistic, the tiny soprano is amazed at her journey from immigrant daughter to world famous performing artist.
5 - From the USA: Renee Fleming
            Perfect “All-American” good girl Fleming undergoes an incredible transformation on the lyric stage, delivering spectacular performances. 
6 - From Russia: Anna Netrebko
            The newest “kid” on the Opera block.  She has stunning good looks, a devilish personality and the voice of an angel.

Biographical Information:  Giuseppe Albanese attended the University of Vermont and graduated with a degree in history in 1966.  In 1989, after five years of intensive study, he developed a dynamic educational program titled The Joy of Opera.  For the past 18 years, he has lectured extensively on many operatic subjects and produced a series of video documentaries.  He was named the Brandeis National Women’s Committee Man of Achievement for 2004.  Maestro Albanese continues to gain recognition as one of the most stimulating instructors today in opera education.