This week on The Best of the Vocal Scene, George Jellinek presents the “oceanic voice” of Helen Traubel and that of the arguably greatest Wagnerian tenor in Met history.

George interviewed Austrian soprano Leonie Rysanek for The Vocal Scene at the time of her last performance at the Metropolitan Opera and he described the session as “a joyous occasion.”

In this episode of The Vocal Scene, find out why George Jellinek refers to Enrico Caruso, Titta Ruffo and Feodor Chaliapin as the “awesome threesome” and hear why they would be opera headliners in any era.

George Jellinek created a number of Vocal Scene episodes that offer side-by-side renditions of the same work, and such shows were big audience favorites. According to Jellinek, all the performances were good, or they wouldn't have been included in the broadcast.

“If the sound of a beautifully produced soprano is thrilling to the ear, then a combination of two such voices should double that thrill.”  Thus George sets out his hypothesis for a program that encompasses baroque madrigals, concert music, and scenes from opera.  He proves his hypothesis, too, with performances of transporting, serene lyricism and thrilling, coloratura fireworks.