Opera on 3 - Live from the Met - Verdi's Stiffelio

Verdi's opera Stiffelio had a troubled history. The predominantly Catholic Italy of the mid-19th century was not ready for a story of adultery in the home of a Protestant minister and the opera was severely censored at the time of its première in 1850. Forced to extensively revise his opera, Verdi then lost interest in it and did his best to destroy all copies of the original manuscript. It wasn't until 1960 that a complete score of Stiffelio was discovered, and in 1993 it entered the repertory of the Metropolitan Opera with tenor Plácido Domingo in the title role. Domingo now takes up the conductor's baton whilst Argentinian tenor José Cura sings the role of Stiffelio, the troubled clergyman who struggles between his ideals and the urge for revenge. American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky performs the role of his wife, Lina. From the opening scene, the young Verdi's originality is apparent as he begins Stiffelio with a long, ambitious septet and goes on from there with that mixture of dramatic force and melodic richness that made him the most successful composer of Italian opera in the second half of the 19th century. Presented by Margaret Juntwait with guest commentator Ira Siff. Backstage interviews with members of the cast and the Met Quiz during the intervals. Stiffelio: José Cura (tenor) Lina: Sondra Radvanovsky (soprano) Stankar: Andrzej Dobber (baritone) Raffaele von Leuthold: Michael Fabiano (tenor) Jorg: Phillip Ens (bass) Dorotea: Jennifer Check (mezzo-soprano) Federico: Diego Torre (tenor) Plácido Domingo (conductor) Orchestra and Chorus of Metropolitan Orchestra.