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Willard White

Sue Lawley's castaway is bass and baritone singer Willard White.

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Willard White.

Teased as a child for his deep bass voice, it has made him one of the most popular opera stars today. Happy to sing Wagner or Gershwin, he's renowned for his ability to get under the skin of his roles, and audiences still remember how, as Porgy, he wept real tears at the loss of Bess.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 21 in C Major- Andante by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Luxury: Seeds

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 12 Nov 1999 09:00

Music Played

  • Are You Lonesome Tonight?

  • Nat King Cole

    Smile

    • Favourite 50s.
    • Music for Pleasure.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Ella giammai m'am貌 (from Don Carlos)

    Soloist: Nicolai Ghiaurov Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Conductor: Sir George Solti

    • Don Carlos.
    • Decca.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Una voce poco fa (from The Barber of Seville)

    Soloist: Maria Callas Orchestra: The Theatre Orchestra of LA Scala Conductor: Tulio Serafin

    • Barber of Seville.
    • EMI.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major - 2nd movement

    Soloist: Pablo Casals

    • Pablo Casals Plays Bach.
    • Pearl.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Deh! vieni, alla finestra (from Don Giovanni)

    Soloist: Cesare Siepi

    • Grandi Voci: Cesare Siepi.
    • Decca.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major - 2nd movement

      Soloist: Robert Casadesus Conductor: George Szell

      • Mozart Piano Concertos 21 and 24.
      • CBS.
  • Louis Armstrong

    What A Wonderful World

    • This is My Song - Love Songs of the 60s.
    • Old Gold.
  • Book Choice

    • The Power of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale

  • Luxury Choice

    • Seeds

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Willard White

Broadcasts

  • Sun 7 Nov 1999 11:15
  • Fri 12 Nov 1999 09:00

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