Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera

Composer Jeanine Tesori is a two time Tony Award winner, a two time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2024, she became the first woman composer to open the Metropolitan Opera Opera season in its 139 year history. On this edition of CMHH she tells Manny about her time living in a lighthouse, about her love of Stravinsky, and why she decided not to be a doctor.  Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. 3 Movements from Petrushka: No. 1, Danse russe Stravinsky Antonii Baryshevskyi, piano Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Carmen, Habanera Bizet Graciela Alperyn, mezzo-soprano Slovak Philharmonic Chorus Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Alexander Rahbari, conductor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Turandot, SC 91: Nessun dorma (Live) Puccini Mario Malagnini   Genoa Carlo Felice Theatre Orchestra & Donato Renzetti Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Carmen: Act I: Habañera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle Bizet Marjana Lipovšek, mezzo-soprano Munich Radio Orchestra  Giuseppe Patanè, conductor Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. Boléro, M. 81 Ravel Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Adrian Leaper Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.   Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts.  Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.