2: Cherubini and the Terror
Brahms described Cherubini's 1797 opera Medea as "the work we musicians recognise among ourselves as the highest peak of dramatic music". Graham Fawcett explores this torrid tale of sexual jealousy, revenge and infanticide which was given the white-hot treatment by Maria Callas. Most of today's highlights come from her celebrated 1957 studio recording, though the programme also includes excerpts from the original French version, Medee, sung by Josephine Barstow.
Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan, conductor Tullio Serafin Discs
Repeated next Tuesday at 11.30pm