Opera on the Bowery?

In New York, opera is usually associated with spacious opera houses and big-name divas. But a smaller, intrepid breed of opera company also helps to enrich the city's cultural life. Among these is the Amato Opera Company, which since 1964 has been performing on a tiny stage on the Bowery (a few yards north of legendary rock club CBGB's), and which regularly presents intimate versions of the classics. We're joined by the company's founder and director, Anthony Amato. Similarly, the Gotham Chamber Opera (formerly Henry Street Opera) is dedicated to playing the kind of unusual repertory that the big groups ignore. Its latest production is the American premiere of "The Black Widow," a 1935 radio opera by Swiss composer Heinrich Sutermeister. We're joined by company director Neal Goren. Rounding out the show, Brian Kellow, features editor of Opera News, stops by to review a new CD by the tenor Marcello Giordani.
Additional Resources:
» Gotham Chamber Opera Web site
» Amato Opera Web site
» Marcello Giordani's Web site