World Singers

"Prior to Pavarotti and Callas, these singers were the creme de la creme of the operatic world." -The London Times

These historical films, originally broadcast by the BBC in December of 1961, present recitals by some of opera's greatest names. These extraordinary programs, with accompaniment and commentary by the legendary English pianist Gerald Moore, feature:

Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda displaying his lyrical style and bright, expressive voice on Handel's "Tell Fair Irene She's Breaking My Heart", Schubert's "Nacht und Traume", Grieg's "The Swan Song" and more.

Soprano Teresa Stich-Randall, the first American to be made an Austrian Kammersangerin, singing "Piercing Eyes" by Haydn, Mozart's "To Chloe", and more.

Dame Joan Sutherland, the esteemed Australian coloratura soprano, awared the Order of Merit in 1991-an honor very rarely given to musicians-singign Handel's "Oh, Lovely Woods", Arne's "The Cuckoo Song", "Songs My Mother Taught Me" by Dvorak, and others.

Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, the illustrious German coloratura soprano, brilliantly performing such favorites as "Die Kleine Spinnerin" by Mozart, Gluck's "A Little Stream", and Wolf's "Every Day Has It's Troubles", among others.

Kim Borg-the Finnish bass who received a diploma in biochemistry before his career in opera-performing several songs including Haydn's "The Sailor Song" and "Come Away, Death" by Sibelius.

Celebrated German mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig singing exquisite renditions of many wonderful pieces, including Brahms' "Sapphic Ode", Mahler's "Rhine Legend", and "Cecilia" by Strauss.