James Morris is one of opera's great bass baritones. He recently starred this past spring in the Baltimore Opera Production of Tosca, Puccini's operatic masterpiece of treachery and deception. He trained with Rosa Ponselle, and today's interview takes place at the former Ponselle estate, Villa Pace. In today's interview, James reflects his memories of Ponselle, and his favorite roles, which include Voltan in Wagner's Die Walkure.

The Baltimore Opera Company

Fabiana Bravo is one of the premier sopranos in the opera world today. The Argentinean singer joins us today to sing an aria from Tosca, and she will perform the role of Queen Elizabeth the First in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda this fall for the Baltimore Opera Company. The production runs November 10, 14, 16 and 18.

The Baltimore Opera Company

Our Salon Artist this Week is Robert Bevard. At first glimpse, you assume Mr. Bevard's work is just another photographer capturing the wondrous works of nature. You take another look and marvel at the detailed, realistic paintings that Mr. Bevard renders in watercolor, oil, pen and ink and even pencil. Robert is self-taught and his works on canvas are clearly what you would call "gifted". His fascination with the facial expressions and body language of wildlife helps him to depict the true essence animals and nature in his paintings.

Robert is a member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and an associate member of the Society of Animal Artists. You can reach him at his studio, Bevard Art Studio by calling 301-805-4004. His work can be viewed at two upcoming festivals. This weekend, Sept. 7-9 at the Maryland Seafood Festival, Sandy Point Park, MD and Sept. 20 - 23 at Sunfest, the Inlet of Ocean City.

Robert Bevard Website