Angelo Pellegrini
Megan Sukys/Dave Beck
08/23/2005
Today's Featured Music Selection: 'Der Ring des Nibelungen'
As we look back on Seattle Opera's internationally celebrated 2005 production of Wagner's Ring Cycle this hour, we'll hear music from the Ring as performed by James Levine and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Soprano Jane Eaglen. Jane Eaglen makes her home in Seattle, is singing in the 2005 Seattle Ring and is considered my many opera observers to be the world's finest interpreter of the role of Brunnhilde in The Ring.
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At 2:05pm - Angelo Pellegrini
When Angelo Pellegrini's family moved here from Casabianca, Italy he was ten years old. After working all kinds of jobs he attended the University of Washington where he stayed to become a much loved professor of English Literature. His love of food, wine, gardening and words found their way into American culture in the form of books, essays and stories. His classic 1948 book, The Unprejudiced Palate, is being re-printed amid a drive to erect a memorial to the godfather of Seattle foodies. Angelo's son, Brent Pellegrini, joins Megan Sukys with stories of his father, audio and letters from fans like Henry Miller.
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A celebration and fundraiser remembering the life and work of Angelo Pelligrini with the reissue of his classic The Unprejudiced Palate will be held on August 30th at Serafina.
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At 2:33pm - Speight Jenkins 'Ring' Reflections
Though many find Richard Wagner's life and work distasteful, Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins says Wagner is an artist and historical figure that he wishes he could sit down to lunch with. Our coverage of Seattle Opera's Ring Cycle of Richard Wagner on The Beat this summer has generated all sorts of questions from experienced Wagnerians and those who are completely new to the composer's work. We'll address several of those accumulated listener queries as we direct general questions to the general director. Speight Jenkins reflects on his two decades of presenting the Ring in Seattle and gives us a more background on Wagner's creations and creative life. The third cycle of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung begins on stage at McCaw Hall tonight.
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At 2:50pm - Music Reviews with Gavin Borchert
We get our regular visit from composer and Seattle Weekly music writer Gavin Borchert. He shares some of the latest recordings in the world of classical music.
Title: Virtuoso Timpani Concertos
Artist: Alexander Peter, timpani/conductor; Dresden Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Label: Naxos 8.557610
Another in the endless series of delicious rarities and curiosities from Naxos. Once in awhile, in the eighteenth century, the kettledrums managed to wrench the concerto spotlight away from the violin and the piano. The works recorded here use from five to eight drums, and the timpani are given both flashy passages and even lyrical melodies.
