Rossini's overture to his opera "Semiramide" raises the curtain on today's show. "Semiramide" is the story of betrayal and murder that takes place in ancient Babylon. One of the main characters is the high priest of the temple of their god, Baal. Today's show features more conjurer's tricks with Dukas' The "Sorcerer's Apprentice." Mirella Freni, the Italian soprano born in the same year (1935) and city (Modena, Italy) as Pavarotti, sings a magical duet in concert with this famous and popular tenor. Further, Freni works her magic with one of Bellini's most heart-wrenching arias from "I Puritani". Also included today are some mystical musical offerings from Africa as played by The Kronos Quartet. To complete the program, Dr. Paul has included a concerto for fortepiano by Boccherini, a darkly beautiful concerto for viola by the Bohemian composer Vanhal, and some pieces for two pianos by Darius Milhaud that necessitates much sleight of hand.
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