an evening of bliss

Last night I was treated to the opening gala of the 7th season at the Mondavi Center with a performance by baritone Thomas Hampson. What an extraordinary voice he has. The recital went all over the musical map, from lieder to opera to ballads to folk songs. We heard Shubert, Liszt, Stephen Foster, Aaron Copeland, Charles Ives, Philip Glass, Paul Bowles. Each piece was a perfect gem.

Now for your Sunday enjoyment, here's a sample from Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town." And for you opera buffs, here's Eri tu from Puccini's "La Ballo en Maschera". Enjoy. If you listen to the Met Opera every Saturday, you'll hear him in two roles this season.