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Stations Broadcasting Opera Using Quality Audio Formats

     Before proceeding with the list, let us make clear the standards of quality we are applying.  There are seven formats being used by classical music broadcasters on the Net which, in our opinion, are capable of producing acceptable quality audio. They are Abacast, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Apple's Quicktime Media Player, Real Player, Ultravox, AAC Plus and Windows Media Player.

REAL PLAYER

    Real Player audio streams are available in three basic flavors, plain, G2 Versions 6 and 7 and (its latest incarnation) G2 Version 8. In general we have found that the plain variety is capable of acceptable quality at stream rates of 32K or greater in mono, 40K or greater in stereo.  We have found that the G2 Versions 6 and 7 are capable of acceptable mono quality at stream rates of 16.2K or greater, and are capable of acceptable stereo quality at stream rates of 32.5K or greater. We have found that G2 Version 8 can deliver acceptable stereo at stream rates of 20.7K or greater. 

    Many stations have upgraded to Real Player 8. However not a single station listed on our site has "upgraded" to Real One, the latest incarnation offered by this company. There are now at least two Real Player streams that require one to upgrade to Real Player 10 (these streams will not play on earlier versions). For a long while there had been no obvious reason to to upgrade, since Real One offered no improvements or upgrades to their audio formats, as Version 8 did over versions 6/7. In addition, many of our visitors reported having significant problems with Real One, so we had recommended that people stay with Verion 8. We now recommend that you upgrade to Real Player G2 Version 10.

WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER

    Older format Windows Media Player audio streams are capable of acceptable mono at stream rates of 16K or greater, and are capable of acceptable stereo quality at stream rates of 20K or greater. The new Version 9 format is capable of acceptable stereo or mono quality at stream rates of 16K or greater.

MP3

    MP3 streaming is not used as often by classical music broadcasters as are Real Player and Windows Media Player.  In general, we have found that mono streams which run at 24K or greater, which utilize a sampling rate of 22K or better, provide acceptable quality. We have found that stereo streams which run at 48K or greater, and which likewise utilize a sampling rate of 16K or better, will likewise provide acceptable quality.

APPLE'S QUICKTIME MEDIA PLAYER

    Of all the players now in use by classical music stations which stream on the net, Quicktime is one of the most recent entrants, as demonstrated by its rather weak market penetration, at least insofar as its use by classical music stations is concerned. However it has not been avoided completely by classical streaming stations. But those streams have been low bitrate, low quality affairs. A few more stations have taken the Quicktime plunge in high fidelity. Among those stations we list which broadcast operatic programming regularly, FRANCE MUSIQUE now utilizes a high bitrate, high quality Quicktime stream. It is fully comparable to the other three codecs in use in terms of quality. One caution: Quicktime requires a slightly faster minimum computer processor speed than the other three codecs used by our list of stations. In general, you need at least a 400MHz processor to receive live Quicktime streams.

OGG VORBIS

    The Ogg Vorbis format is not the product of a major software manufacturer, so it does not have its own first-choice player, as opposed to the Real Networks audio format, for example, which has its own piece of software, Real Player, specifically and exclusively designed to play back that particular format. Instead, the Ogg Vorbis format is available to whomever wants to use or design a player for it. We recommend Winamp Version 5.09 as being the best player overall for this codec.

ABACAST

    The Abacast audio format is novel in that the bandwidth utilized is derived not only from homesite servers but from available bandwidth provided by visitors' own connection path. It is not necessary to download the Abacast player as such. Instead, when you first encounter a stream which uses this format, you will be asked to download and install the plug-in, after which the stream will play.

ULTRAVOX

    New Stream codecs seem to be crawling out of the woodwork these days. This is yet another new codec, so far used only by WQXR in New York. Its chief advantage seems to be the ability to produce a good hi fidelity at a very low speed (WQXR's stream runs at a most economical 13K). Ultravox plays in Winamp.

AAC PLUS (We list this on the site as "AACP")

    The newest audio format we list [see WWFM's 48K MP3 stream], which is only supported by Winamp Version 5.09 or higher. An even newer variant on the AAC Plus codec is the Orban version [see KBYU's 32K MP3 stream] which plays an MP3 stream on Windows Media Player. The plugin for Windows Media Player can be downloaded here (Mac computers can play this new streaming format on Real Player). Please note that this new stream WILL NOT play on WIndows Operating systems older than Win 2000 or Win XP (if you still use Windows 98Se or Windows ME, you're out of luck!)

    Please note:  The links in the STATION NAME column are to the station's Home Page; links in the STREAMING INFO/LINKS column are to all available audio streams for each station; where it is appropriate we have indicated when a stream is "scaled" (see the explanation in the next paragraph); links in the NOTES AND COMMENTS column are to the station's schedule pages and audio help pages.

    SCALING. With respect to links to a station's audio stream(s), many broadcasters have chosen to implement streams utilizing the Real Player G2 scaling feature.  A scaled G2 feed can send out as as many as 11 stream speeds AT THE SAME TIME (only one of which is low-fidelity), and makes the decision as to which speed to send to a particular web surfer based on its judgment as to the speed of the given surfer's web connection.  In those cases, we have chosen to list a station by its HIGHEST AVAILABLE stream speed, while always duly noting slower connections that can also access the particular feed.

    WINAMP & MP3 STREAMS. We have received a number of queries from visitors who have had difficulty playing MP3 streams on either Real Player or Windows Media Player. In our experience, MP3 streams WILL NOT play properly (or in some cases at all) with these players. Download and use WINAMP to play MP3 streams. Real Player has a tendency to "hijack" file associations from other programs. If after downloading WINAMP, an MP3 stream still tries to play in Real Player, simply copy the stream's URL from the error message that Real Player generates, paste it into the "Location" box in WINAMP and click on the "Play" button in WINAMP.

    ACROBAT READER. Finally you should be aware that a few of the links listed below require Adobe Acrobat to work properly.  If you intend to follow up on the links listed below, we recommend that you open up Acrobat now in preparation, or that you download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader before following up on the links listed on this page.
 

We are always looking for new stations or web sites that offer operatic webcasts. If you know of stations that we should be listing, please let us know.

 We welcome any and all comments and suggestions.
Contact us at admin@operacast.com or leave your comments and
questions in our guest book.

Copyright ©2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 E. H. Riggs & G. S. Riggs

This Page Last Updated on 08/26/2008 11:19 AM EST

STATION NAME
DESCRIPTION
STREAMING INFO/LINKS
NOTES AND COMMENTS

ABC CLASSIC FM

Sydney, AUSTRALIA

 . 96K stereo Windoiws Media Player 9
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled for 56K and 28K connections
 96K G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled for 56K and 28K connections
128K stereo MP3
suitable for 256K broadband connecntions and higher

audio help page

schedule page

AUDITORIUM

Rome, ITALY

 . 32K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 56K connections and higher		 schedule page

BARTOK RADIO

Budapest, HUNGARY

 This station archives its programming for 1 week after airtime, and also makes its archives available as downloadable files

353K stereo G2 Realplayer 6
suitable for 384K DSL/Cable connections and higher and scaled
320K stereo MP3 WINAMP
suitable for 384K DSL/Cable connections and higher
256K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 384K connections and higher
128K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for Dual ISDN 256K connections or higher
128K stereo MP3 WINAMP
suitable for Dual ISDN 112K connections or higher
96.7K stereo G2 Realplayer 6
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled for 56K& 19.2K connections
80K stereo aacPlus [WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
If you hear a white noise while playing this stream we suggest you change (at your own risk) the output driver in WINAMP to the directSound Driver. See instructions for this on our Internet Radio for Techies page
64K stereo aacPlus [WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
If you hear a white noise while playing this stream we suggest you change (at your own risk) the output driver in WINAMP to the directSound Driver. See instructions for this on our Internet Radio for Techies page
64K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
48K stereo aacPlus [WINAMP]
suitable for 64k Single ISDN connections and higher
If you hear a white noise while playing this stream we suggest you change (at your own risk) the output driver in WINAMP to the directSound Driver. See instructions for this on our Internet Radio for Techies page
40K Real Player
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher

audio help page

daily schedule page

long-term schedule page

BAYERN 4 KLASSIK

Munich, GERMANY

 .

128K MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for Dual ISDN 256K connections and higher
128K Windows Media Player
suitable for Dual ISDN 256K connections or higher
56K MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 64K Single ISDN connections and higher
48K WMP
suitable for 64K Single ISDN connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

BBC Radio 3

UNITED KINGDOM

.

64.1K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 56K connections with scaled streams accessible to 28.8K and 19.2K connections

audio help page

operatic schedule page

playlist

CATALUNYA MÚSICA

Catalania, SPAIN

 the classical music station of Ràdio Catalunya.
Archives its daily Els Concerts program and operatic excerpts for up to 4 weeks. Scroll down the homepage and look for the "Programes Catalunya Música" box - click the "Els Concerts" link in the box; for excerpts of the Sunday opera program, scroll down within the box and click on the "Una tarda a l'òpera" link.

128K WMP
suitable for 256K connections and higher
After page loads, click WMP link
32K Quicktime
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

CBC TWO

Toronto, CANADA

CBC archives its concerts-on-demand.
The drop down box in the middle of the page allows you to drill down to the "Opera" and "Vocal/Choral" sublistings, both of which have on-topic content.

64K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for Dual ISDN 112k connections or higher
 32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K modem connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

 

CESKY ROZHLAS D-DUR

Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC

 .

224K stereo OGG VORBIS
suitable for 384k connections and higher with scaled high-fidelity streams available to 256k, 56k, and 28.8k connection speeds
192K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 256k Broadband connections or higher and scaled for ? connections
 128K stereo OGG VORBIS
suitable for 256k Broadband connections or higher
80K stereo MP3
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
64K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for Dual ISDN 112k connections or higher and scaled for slower connections
 48K mono OGG VORBIS
suitable for 64k Single ISDN connections and higher
32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56k connections and higher
32K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 56k connections and higher
16K mono OGG VORBIS
suitable for 33.6K and higher

audio help page

schedule page

CESKY ROZHLAS 3 -
VLTAVA

Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC

.

224K stereo OGG VORBIS
suitable for 384k connections and higher
96K stereo OGG VORBIS
suitable for 256k Broadband connections or higher
64K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 64k Single ISDN connections and higher
32K mono OGG VORBIS
suitable for 56k connections and higher
32K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 56k connections and higher
32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56k connections and higher
20K mono Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 28.8k connections and higher
16K mono OGG VORBIS
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

CKUA

Alberta, CANADA

Public radio, supported by its listener base

20K mono Windows Media Player
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher

schedule page

CLASSIC FM

UNITED KINGDOM

 NOTE: This station's stream is now available only to those with a valid UK Post Code. We no longer carry their listings, but their Evening Concert sometimes has vocal/operatic programming. (8/14/06) 32K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher		 schedule page

CLASSICALMUSIC-
BROADCAST.COM

Trenton, Michigan, USA		 an online radio station featuring the best classical, vocal, choral and instrumental music from all time! 96K stereo MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for128K connections and higher
40K mono MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 33.6K connections and higher
[This streasm has considerable distortion]
  

CONCERT FM
(Radio New Zealand)

Wellington, NEW ZEALAND

 

 . 64K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and highe and scaled for lower connections

audio help page

schedule page

CONCERT-
ZENDER

Hilversum, NETHERLANDS

[Link is to English-language page]

.

128K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 256K connections and higher
32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K connections and higher
192K MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

CONNOISSEUR
CLASSICS

Norfolk Virginia, USA

 An online radio station provided by WHRO, featuring "alternative classical music" - they play several complete operas every Tuesday 128K stereo MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 256K connections and higher		 schedule page

CPR

Colorado Public Radio

Denver, Colorado, USA

 .

48K stereo aacPlus
suitable for 56K connections and higher
32K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

DEUTSCHLAND
FUNK

Cologne, GERMANY

Sister station to DeutschlandRadio Kultur

104K (VBR) stereo Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher
56K stereo Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
48K mono MP3 (WINAMP)
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
48K Flash Audio
suitable for broadband connections
44.1K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 56K connections and higher and scaled - available to 28.8K and 19.2K connections
48K stereo Window Media Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher
36K mono Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

DEUTSCH-
LANDRADIO KULTUR

Berlin, GERMANY

Sister station to DeutschlandFunk

104K (VBR) stereo Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connecntions and higher
56K stereo Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
48K mono MP3 (WINAMP)
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
48K Flash Audio
suitable for broadband connections
48K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher
 36K mono Ogg Vorbis
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

DR P2

Copenhagen, DENMARK

 .

128K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher and scaled for lower connections speeds Can ONLY be played with WMP Version 9 or better
64K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled
 32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K modem connections and higher and scaled

audio help page

schedule page

DR P2 KLASSISK

Copenhagen, DENMARK

As of 5/1/2006, DR KLASSISK no longer carries a weekly operatic program. Although the station does air some vocal/operatic programming, their program listings provide few details.

128K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher Can ONLY be played with WMP Version 9 or better
64K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled for 56K connections and scaled
 32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K modem connections and higher and scaled

audio help page

schedule page

DWOJKE POLSKIE RADIO

Warsaw, POLAND

 .

192K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher and scaled - available to 112K Dual ISDN, 56K& 28.8K mode connections
64K mono Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled for slower connections

audio help page

schedule page

ESPACE 2

Lausanne, SWITZERLAND

.

128K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher
48K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

 

ESPACE MUSIQUE

Montreal, Quebec, CANADA

.

 96K stereo Windows Media Player Version 9
suitable for 128K connections and higher
64K OGG VORBIS
suitable for 112K Dual ISBN connections and higher
32K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 56k connections and higher

schedule page

 

 

FILARMONIA

Lima, PERU

 La Radio Cultural de Peru
FM Stereo 102.7		 40K stereo MP3
suitable for 64K SIngle ISDN connections and higher
??K stereo Flash Player		 schedule page

FRANCE MUSIQUE

Paris, FRANCE

Archives for 24 hours its Saturday opera and the weekday Prima La Musica concerts.

128K MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable modem connections and higher
64K MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN Connections and higher
32K MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

France Vivace

Paris, FRANCE

 Successor to HECTOR 128K MP3 [use WINAMP]
[suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
64K MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN Connections and higher
32K MP3 [use WINAMP]
suitable for 56K connections and higher

schedule page

audio help page

GPR
(Georgia Public Radio)

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

 .

132.3K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher, with scaled high fidelity available to 112K Dual ISDN, 28.8K, and 19.2K connections
64K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for128K connections and higher
20K stereo Windows Media Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher
usually audible hiss on this stream

 schedule page

IPR
(Indiana Public Radio)

Indiana, USA

 . 32K mono G2 Real Player
suitable for 56K connections and higher and scaled - available to 28.8K and 19.2K connections

audio help page

schedule page

KAMU

College Station/Bryan, Texas, USA

 .

192K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher and scaled - available to 112K Dual ISDN, 56K& 28.8K mode connections
96K stereo G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher and scaled - available to 112K Dual ISDN, 56K& 28.8K mode connections
48K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher

 schedule page

KBAQ

Tempe, Arizona, USA

 .

48K Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher
48K Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher
96K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable connections and higher
24K mono MP3
suitable for 33.6K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KBIA2

Columbia, Missouri, USA

 .

32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K connections and higher
32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56K connections and higher

 schedule page

KBPS

Portland, Oregon, USA

 .

64K stereo Abacast
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher
44.1K stereo G2 Real Player 6
suitable for 56K connections and scaled - available to 19.2K connections
32K stereo Windows Media Player 9
suitable for 56K connections and higher
32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KBYU

Provo, Utah, USA

Radio station of Brigham Young University

32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56K modem connections and higher and scaled - available to 28.8K and 19.2K modem connections

audio help page

schedule page

KCHO

Chico, California, USA

 . 44.1K mono G2 Real Player 8
suitable for 56K connections and higher and scaled - available to 28.8K connections

schedule page

KCME

Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

.

64K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 112k Dual ISDN connections and higher
32K mono MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 56K connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KCSC

Edmond/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

.

96.5K stereo G2 Real Player 10
suitable for 112K Dual ISDN connections and higher and scaled - available to 56K, 28.8K and 19.2K modem connections

audio help page

schedule page

KCSN

Northridge, California, USA

Radio station of California State University, Northridge

128K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 256K DSL/Cable modem connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KDFC

San Francisco, California, USA

64K Windows Media Player
suitable for 112K Double ISDN connections and higher
64K stereo MP3 [WINAMP]
suitable for 112k Dual ISDN connections and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KDIA

San Francisco, California, USA

 . 20K mono Windows Media Player
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher		 schedule page

KHCT

Hutchinson, Kansas, USA

 . 22K Windows Media Player 9
 suitable for 56K connections and higher
22K Windows Media Player
suitable for 28.8K connections and higher
22K Windows Media Player
suitable for 28.8K connectons and higher

audio help page

schedule page

KING-FM

Seattle, Washington, USA

.

64K stereo ABACAST
suitable for 64K Single ISDN connections and higher
NOTE: The first time you use this stream