Classical Classroom, Episode 2: Angela Schmidt teaches Bel Canto Aria

04/10/13 • 23 min

Since the U.S. has been celebrating its beginnings this week, we thought we’d go back to ours. We hope you enjoy this throwback. And! Because we were in the holiday spirit, we added a little present for you at the end of the show. We hope you enjoy it. And that Tchaikovsky doesn’t turn over too hard in his grave when you play it.

P.S., When we recorded this episode, Angela was indeed a “Schmidt.” Now, she is a “Mitchell.” As in, married to Brett Mitchell. As in, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. (And Episode 4 of our show.) And in addition to being a professional opera singer, Angela is Assistant Producer at WCLV. They are a classical music power couple, people. And some of our favorite humans. So, when you hear “Schmidt” in this episode, think “Mitchell.” Kthx! ——————————————— In this episode, opera singer and classical music announcer Angela Mitchell talks about bel canto aria and sleepwalking, wrongly-accused hussies.

Angela Mitchell. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. Courtesy of the artist’s website.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Angela Mitchell.

Music in this episode: – “La Sonnambula” (“The Sleepwalker”) by Vincenzo Bellini.

For more about Angela Mitchell: www.angelamitchellsoprano.com

Thumbnail image of Angela as Nanetta in Verdi’s Falstaff courtesy of Angela’s website.

Angela Mitchell. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. Courtesy of the artist’s website.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Angela Mitchell.

Music in this episode: – “La Sonnambula” (“The Sleepwalker”) by Vincenzo Bellini.

For more about Angela Mitchell: www.angelamitchellsoprano.com

Thumbnail image of Angela as Nanetta in Verdi’s Falstaff courtesy of Angela’s website.

Previous Episode

Classical Classroom, Episode 1: Chris Johnson teaches Vivaldi’s Autumn

Revisit Classical Classroom’s very first show! Classical music announcer Chris Johnson compares two very different recordings of the same piece. Gut strings, basso continuo, and the Baroque period are discussed.

In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with Chris Johnson about Vivaldi's "Autumn", and rich people having picnics.

Audio production by Todd “Teacup” Hulslander and Chris Johnson.

Music used in this episode includes:

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concerto, “Autumn” by:

Itzak Perlman violin solo, London Philharmonic
Fabio Biondi solo violin, Europa Galante

Next Episode

Classical Classroom Episode 3: Daniel Webbon teaches Steve Reich’s “Piano Phase” & Minimalism

In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with MusicLab intern and Moores School graduate student, Daniel Webbon, about Steve Reich's "Piano Phase" andclassical music minimalism.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Daniel Webbon.