Poster Natalie Dessay in Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment
Natalie Dessay, as Marie, salutes with her adopted family, the 21st French Regiment, in Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment.
Metropolitan Opera
Performance Today®

A notorious aria

The aria "Ah! mes amis" from the opera Daughter of the Regiment is notoriously difficult to sing; there are nine high Cs in the final minute. On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear our current Young Artist in Residence, American tenor Jack Swanson, hit every single one of them.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Franz Schubert: Marche Militaire in D maj. Op.51, No.1, D733, No. 1
Philharmonia Orchestra; Sir Charles Groves, conductor
Sir Charles's Precious Music Box
Denon 73674

Jessie Montgomery: Strum
Sphinx Virtuosi
St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL

The Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Lisa Rogak from Lebanon, NH

Franz Schubert: Introduction and Variations on Trockne Blumen, D. 802, Op. 160
Stefan Ragnar Hoskuldsson, flute; Michael McHale, piano
Ramsey Concert Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Hour 2

Leonard Bernstein: Times Square, 1944 from On the Town
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor
The Encore Collection, Vol. 3
Sony 44725

Nicholas Walker: Paris Skies
Nicholas Walker, double bass; Elizabeth Simkin, cello
New Directions Cello Festival, Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College School of Music, Ithaca, NY

Leonard Bernstein: Maria
Jack Swanson, tenor; Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Franz Lehar: Gern hab ich gefrau'n gekusst from Paganini
Jack Swanson, tenor; Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Gaetano Donizetti: Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fete from Daughter of the Regiment
Jack Swanson, tenor; Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34
Baltic Sea Youth Orchestra; Kristjan Jarvi, conductor
Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival, Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->