Opera fans in Metro Detroit now have a reason to rejoice!

Join us starting October 28th, 2007 for "The Voice of Michigan Opera Theater" - live and archived broadcasts from Michigan Opera Theater.

The Voice of MOT is heard on selected Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. on 90.9 FM.

The Voice of MOT Schedule

May 4, 2008: "La Traviata"

Tune in for our final broadcast Verdi's La Traviata, featuring an exemplary archival recording from MOT's rich performance history, and an intermission feature with the singers and staging director of the current production. La Traviata is the third-most popular opera in the current performing repertory!

Follow along with the libretto, which can be accessed here:
English/Italian

Previous Broadcasts

October 28, 2007: "Cyrano"

Live broadcast of David DiChiera's Cyrano.

November 4, 2007: "The Marriage of Figaro"

The Voice of Michigan Opera Theater presents an archival broadcast of performances from 2002, featuring baritone Robert Gerlach as Figaro and Nicole Heaston as Susanna on November 4th, 2007 at 2 p.m. ET. Please join us for this special broadcast from the archives of MOT's 37-history.

The complete cast is as follows:
Robert Gerlach - Figaro
Stephen Eisenhard - Don Basilio
Lori-Kaye Miller - Cherubino
Brenda Harris - Countess
Nicole Heaston Susanna
Judith Christian - Marcellina
Bret Polegato - Count Almaviva
Donald Hartman - Antonio

Stewart Robinson - Conductor

The Marriage of Figaro is one of the top 25 most-performed operas of all time! Listen in to Mozarts masterpiece November 4th.

Libretto can be accessed here:
Italian only
English/Italian

April 6 , 2008: "La Sonnambula"

Live broadcast of Bellini's La Sonnambula with Richard Bonynge conducting. Read the review from the Detroit News

The opera takes place in Switzerland, where the peasants have gathered to witness the signing of a marriage contract between Elvino, and Amina. All are merry, except Lisa, who had hoped to win Elvino herself. The merrymakers are interrupted by the arrival of Rudolpho, seigneur of the village. He makes pretty speeches to Amina, thus rousing the jealousy of Elvino.

At night in his chamber at the inn, he is followed by Lisa, who, being a coquette, is ever ready for a flirtation. They are, however, soon interrupted by the entrance of Amina, walking in her sleep; for, unknown to all, she is a somnambulist. Lisa, seeing in this circumstance a means of avenging herself upon her rival, hurries away to inform Elvino of what she has seen, in her haste leaving her kerchief behind; and the Count, overawed by the beauty and innocence of Amina, leaves the inn at once, and goes to his château.

Amina in her sleepwalking reclines on the bed; and when the spiteful Lisa returns with the villagers, Elvino is furious at seeing her in such a compromising situation. She awakes, he spurns her, and afterwards accepts the advances of the triumphant Lisa. The villagers, call upon the Count to declare the innocence of Amina; and Rudolpho gladly does so, explaining that the maiden is a somnambulist.

All believe him except Elvino, who is, however, at last convinced by the appearance of Amina, once more in a state of trance, walking across a rickety bridge from a neighbouring mill. She awakens in his arms; and upon his begging forgiveness for his doubt she gladly grants it. Lisa's kerchief having been found in the guest-chamber of the inn, she is now looked upon askance; and the interrupted wedding festivities of Amina and Elvino are continued with great rejoicing.

April 20, 2008 from Noon - 2 p.m.: "La Rondine"

Tune in as MOT's Dr. David DiChiera, opera impresario Lotfi Mansouri, and world-renowned conductor Steven Mercurio join host Kelly Rinne in a discussion of Puccini's masterpiece, "La Rondine."