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Louise Fryer presents Gluck's second opera telling the story of the ancient Greek princess Iphigenia, from La Monnaie in Brussels. Plus more from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Last December the Monnaie Theatre in Brussels staged both of Gluck's operas telling the tragic story of the ancient Greek princess Iphigenia. Afternoon on 3 is broadcasting both operas over two Thursdays, and today it's the turn of the second. Nadja Michael sings the title role of Iphigenia, exiled life far from home in Tauris - part of the Crimea, north of the Black Sea - where as High Priestess of Diana it is her duty to sacrifice strangers. When two young Greek men are shipwrecked in Tauris, she feels strangely drawn to one of them - but is commanded to kill them both...

Gluck: Iphigenie en Tauride - opera in 4 acts
Iphigenie...... Nadja Michael (soprano)
Orestes, King of Argos and Mycenae ...... Stephane Degout (baritone)
Pylades, King of Phocis ...... Topi Lehtipuu (tenor)
Thoas, King of Tauris ...... Werner Van Mechelen (bass)
Diana, goddess of hunting ...... Violet Serena Noorduyn (soprano)
Other roles sung by Gerard Lavalle, Bernard Giovani, Helen Kearns, Tomoko Taguchi, Anne-Fleur Inizan and Camille Merckx
La Monnaie Chorus and Orchestra
Christophe Rousset (conductor)

3.50pm
Continuing this week's focus on the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam.

Debussy: Danse sacree et danse profane
Ravel: Introduction and Allegro
Lavinia Meijer (harp)
Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra
Marco Boni (conductor)

4.20pm
Mozart: Symphony no. 41 in C, 'Jupiter'
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam
Ivan Fischer (conductor).

3 hours

Broadcast

  • Thu 18 Feb 2010 14:00