
Opera on WNED Classical
Enjoy complete performances of world famous operas from Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and many more Saturdays at 1pm.
For many years, radio broadcasts from "The Metropolitan Opera" have been a Saturday tradition in many American households. Met Opera broadcasts are usually performed live from Lincoln Center in New York City and can be heard from December through May on WNED Classical.
The WFMT Radio Network Opera series complements the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, filling in the schedule to complete the year. From Milan to New York, Barcelona to Chicago, you'll have a front-row seat to performances from some of the world’s greatest opera companies and performers.
The 2023 WFMT Radio Network Opera Series 2023 | Saturdays at 1 pm
Celebrate the return the WFMT Radio Opera Series on WNED Classical for the 2023 season
The WFMT Radio Network is pleased to announce the first batch of operas for the 2023 WFMT Radio Network Opera Series, beginning on June 17 and running through December 2, 2023. This first set of operas spans from June 17 through September 23 (with more to follow), and includes productions from Vienna, France, England, Italy, China, and more.
Broadcasts can be heard on WNED Classical at 1pm every Saturday through December 2, 2023.
See what’s coming up below:
September 2 | Tannhäuser / Wagner / National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera
From Europe, we traverse continents to land in China to hear four operas from Beijing’s exceptional National Centre for the Performing Arts. Following on their success last season, we’re honored to bring these exceptional productions to listeners across the United States. First up is Wagner’s audience-favorite Tannhäuser! Endrik Wottrich stars as Tannhäuser, with Barbara Haveman as Elizabeth, Giuseppina Piunti as Venus, Markus Werba as Wolfram, and many more.
Composer: Richard Wagner
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Presenting Company: National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera
Cast:
Tannhäuser: Endrik Wottrich
Elisabeth: Barbara Haveman
Venus: Giuseppina Piunti
Wolfram von Eschenbach: Markus Werba
Hermann: Manfred Hemm
Walther von der Vogelweide: Vicente Ombuena
Biterolf: Karsten Mewes
Heinrich der Schreiber: Kurt Azesberger
Reinmar von Zweter: Rainer Zaun
Shepherd: ZHANG Xin
Ensemble: NCPA Orchestra
Conductor: LÜ Jia
September 9 | The Ballad of the Canal / YIN Qing / National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera

Next up is an exciting production of Chinese composer YIN Qing’s The Ballad of the Canal, presented here for the very first time on US radio. This beautiful opera celebrates the ups and downs of life on the canal, full of joy and sorrow, life and death, righteousness and evil—all sung in a virtuosic and stunning style.
Composer: YIN Qing
Libretto: HUANG Weiruo
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Presenting Company: National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera
Cast:
SHUI Honglian: WANG Lida / WANG Zhe
QIN Xiaosheng: WANG Hongwei / WANG Zenan
GUAN Yanyan: WANG Li / JIN Tingting
ZHANG Shuiyao: SUN Li / WANG Hexiang
Ensemble: NCPA Orchestra and Chorus
Chorus Director: MENG Huan
Conductor: LÜ Jia
September 16 | La Fille du Régiment / Donizetti / National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera

La Fille du Régiment, Donizzeti’s light-hearted and humorous story features another fabulous cast that combines the talents of Western and Chinese artists. Sabina Puértolas stars in the role as Marie, with Giovanni Romeo as Sulpice, SHI Yijie as Tonio, WANG Hexiang as Hortensius, and ZHAO Denghui as Un Caporal.
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto: Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Presenting Company: National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera
Cast:
Marie: Sabina Puértolas
Tonio: SHI Yijie
Sulpice: Giovanni Romeo
La Marquise de Berkenfield: Doris Lamprecht
La Duchesse de Krakenthorp: Daniela Mazzuccato
Hortensius: WANG Hexiang
Un Caporal: ZHAO Denghui
Un Paysan: MEN Hongduo
Un Notaire: GUO Shuojie
Ensemble: NCPA Orchestra and Chorus
Chorus Director: Marco Bellei
Conductor: Matteo Beltrami
September 23 | La fanciulla del West / Puccini / National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera

And finally, the first part of the 2023 Opera Series ends with a bang, featuring an epic production of Puccini’s La fanciulla del West staring Amarilli Nizza as Minne, Claudio Sgura as Jack Rance, Marco Berti as Dick Johnson, and KOU Jing as Nick. Acclaimed conductor LÜ Jia leads the NCPA Orchestra and Chorus for these exciting productions from China’s leading opera house.
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Presenting Company: National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera
Cast:
Minnie: Amarilli Nizza
Jack Rance: Claudio Sgura
Dick Johnson alias Ramerrez: Marco Berti
Nick: KOU Jing
Ashby: WANG Meng
Sonora: Domenico Balzani
Trin: ZHU He
Sid: ENG Zhe
Bello: SHANG Chunlai
Harry: DU Fanyong
Joe: GUO Jianchao
Happy: ZHAO Denghui
Larkens: ZHAO Ming
Billy: DU Ang
Wowkle: LIU Lu
Jake Wallace: ZHANG Yang
Ensemble: NCPA Orchestra and Chorus
Chorus Director: Salvatore Caputo
Conductor: Andrea Battistoni