Cultural, Community, Information

Airs, Saturday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m.  The Metropolitan Opera presents the winners of the 2012 National Council Auditions. They are: Janai Brugger, soprano from Darien, IL; Anthony Clark Evans, baritone from Owensboro, KY; Matthew Grills, tenor from Newtown, CT; Margaret Mezzacappa, mezzo-soprano from Euclid, OH; and Andrey Nemzer, countertenor from Moscow, Russia. The winners were selected from nine finalists who performed arias with the MET Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis. Each winner receives a cash prize of $15,000, as well as invaluable career exposure: the audience for the auditions includes influential opera executives, artist managers, and music critics, and some of the biggest stars in opera received their first major recognition as National Council Winners.

The Grand Finals Concert is hosted by renowned bass-baritone Eric Owens, a 1996 National Council Auditions winner. During the judges’ deliberations, he gave a special performance of “Ella giammai m’amò,” King Philip’s aria from Verdi’s Don Carlo. The Grand Finals Concert was recorded for broadcast at a later date on public radio stations across the United States.

Airs Friday, July 6 at 8:00 p.m.  After a Seven Year hiatus Bonnie Raitt is emerging from the sudio with a new record and tour. It's an opportune time to hear about her new music and revisit her remarkable career and personal story. This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and multiple Grammy-Award winner is profiled in this two hour music and commentary special featuring an exclusive interview with Bonnie as well as comments from Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Maia Sharp, Freebo, Bill Payne, Ann Powers and more. Hosted by Paul Ingles.