Classical Classroom

Take in tenor types with two of the Texas Tenors. How, exactly, does one know that he is a “light lyric tenor,” or a “Spinto tenor,” or a “dramatic tenor”? Is there like, a Tenor Task Team? Two members of the Texas Tenors – JC Fisher and John Hagen – teach the types of tenor to us. We also learn about “classical crossover” music and why it is a gateway drug, turning innocent classical music newbies into addicts by the thousands. By the way, if you like this episode, check out the Texas Tenors on Houston Public Media TV 8 Monday August 7, 2017 (local PBS show times here). Music in this episode: “La donna è mobile”, by The Three Tenors, from the Three Tenors in Concert, Los Angeles (1994) “Celeste Aida”, by Giuseppe Verdi, performed by Giuseppe Giacomini Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini, performed by Luciano Pavarotti (James Levine on piano) Otello, by Giuseppe Verdi, performed by Placido Domingo “Principe più non se” from La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini, performed by Juan Diego Florez with Los Angeles Philharmon