And when was this Golden Age? We’ll listen to some of the greatest voices of the 20th century from the beginning of recorded music to the turn of the 21st century. Over eight weeks, we will listen to and see, when possible, the most unique interpretations of some of opera’s most beautiful and dramatic moments. Join me for a look at how recorded opera changed over the course of time and expanded the audience substantially.

Moderator: Eric Williamson is the child of two classically trained musicians, but he was not introduced to opera until his mother’s second husband (an Italian-American) presented the music of Verdi and Puccini to him through the artistry of Maria Callas and Giuseppe di Stefano. He was hooked! It was the beginning of a never-ending search for the best vocal recordings.