NBC Television Opera Theatre

Seasons

1949

5.1

Televised broadcasts of performances by NBC Opera Theatre. an opera company owned and operated by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). The company had been formed for the purpose of televising both established and new operas in English. During its history, it also gave live theatrical performances. The company performed a total of 43 operas for NBC, between 1949 and 1964. NBC disbanded the opera company in 1964 and liquidated its assets.

Episode List

S1 • E1

The Old Maid and the Thief

This comic opera tells the story of the old maid, Miss Todd, and her personal maid, Laetitia, who befriend a happy-go-lucky beggar, Bob. Thinking that he is a thief, they hide him and then continue to fall in love with him. They become thieves themselves to steal for him. In the end, he runs off with the maid and considering that all think him a thief, he says he might as well be one and steals the family silver and the car.

S1 • E2

Down in the Valley

The folk song, "Down in the Valley", and six other American folk songs are used as germ ideas in the fabric of the music. The story, told in flashback form, is concerned with Brack Weaver, who is about to be hanged, and his love for Jennie Parsons.

S1 • E3

Scenes from Puccini's Madam Butterfly

Cio Cio San, a young Japanese woman, forsakes her family and friends to marry the American Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. After his ship leaves Japan, she firmly believes that he will return to her. When she sights his ship coming into the harbor, she learns that he has forsaken her and their son to marry an American woman. Cio Cio San, unable to live with honor, chooses to die with honor and falls on her dagger.

S1 • E4

Die Fledermaus

S1 • E5

Tales of Hoffmann

In a wine cellar, Hoffmann tells of his love for the opera star, Stella, who has up to now rejected his love. He then relates his first tale. He falls in love with Olympia, a dancing doll. The doll's creator gives him a pair of magic glasses and when he wears them, the doll comes to life. Hoffmann meets his nemesis, in the form of the doll's creator, who destroys the doll. In the second story, Antonia, Hoffmann's second love, is dying of tuberculosis. She is unaware of her illness but has been told not to sing to save her strength. They make plans to elope, but his nemesis appears in the form of the doctor, who urges her to sing. A statue of her mother comes to life and pleads with her not to sing. Antonia dies as Hoffmann rushes in. Hoffmann drinks himself into a stupor. Stella appears to accept his love, but finding him drunk, leaves with his nemesis. Hoffmann pursues but realizes she will become just another tale.