Who's Afraid of Opera?
Three zany puppets bring to life our greatest opera treasures, as Joan Sutherland, the world’s most famous soprano, performs their highlights. The puppets make up the audience: Sir William, a wise old goat; Little Billy, his nephew; and Rudi, a rather boisterous lion. Sutherland first introduces them to the story of each opera. Then, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and a first-rate cast, she moves onto the opera stage, complete with elaborate sets and elegant costumes. After each exquisite aria, the diva comes back to her inquisitive friends and unfolds the plot.
Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland
Host / Rosina / Marie / Lucia / La Perichole / Violetta / Marguerite / Gilda / Philine
Ages 45-47
8 epsCast (26)
Directors
Writers
Claire Merrill
Screenplay

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Story
Ages 222-224

Jules Barbier
Story
Ages 147-148
Francesco Maria Piave
Story
Ages 161-163

Michel Carré
Story
Ages 150-152

Victor Hugo
Story
Ages 170-171

Henri Meilhac
Story
Ages 141-142

Alexandre Dumas fils
Story
Ages 147-149

Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais
Story
Ages 240-241
Salvadore Cammarano
Story
Ages 171-172
Jean-François-Alfred Bayard
Story

Cesare Sterbini
Story
Ages 188-190

Walter Scott
Story
Ages 200-202

Ludovic Halévy
Story
Ages 138-139
Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges
Story
Producers
Original Language
en
Spoken Languages
English, French, German, Italian
Production Countries
US
Production Companies
PBS


