Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of Massenet's Werther this weekend at the Metropolitan Opera, which will be Live in HD at theaters across the country. He's also about to release a brand new recording of Franz Schubert's song cycle Winterreise with pianist Helmut Deutsch. He chats with Angela Mitchell about the pressures of the Met and probing the depths of despair in Schubert in this exclusive interview.
Igor Levit, pianist
Igor Levit's debut album "Beethoven: The Late Pianos Sonatas" has already garnered rave reviews. For the last three years, his name has been the first to be mentioned whenever there has been talk of the industry's most exciting young pianists. He speaks with Angela Mitchell about the daunting task of recording arguably the most difficult works written for piano: Beethoven's last five piano sonatas.
Sophie Koch, mezzo-soprano
Sophie Koch makes her Metropolitan Opera debut singing the role of Charlotte opposite Jonas Kauffmann in Massenet's Werther. From a studio in the Lincoln Center, she speaks with Angela Mitchell about what's special about French opera, singing across from Jonas, and channeling the rawest of emotions into an unforgettable performance.
Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch in the Metropolitan Opera production of Massenet’s “Werther.”
Photo: Ken Howard
Anita Rachvelishvili, mezzo-soprano
Anita Rachvelishvili is barely 30, and is already an international opera star. She appears as Konchakovna in the Metropolitan Opera's brand-new production of Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin. In this exclusive interview, she speaks with Angela Mitchell about the role.
Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili sings amid a massive field of poppies in a Metropolitan Opera production of Borodin'sPrince Igor. Cory Weaver/Metropolitan Opera