In our first act,  Jane Glover tells us why The Return of Ulysses might be a good place to start for opera cynics, credits Monteverdi as the father of opera, and reveals how her musicians helped with architect Rafael Viñoly’s minimal set design.

Plus, hear Edward Lifson’s recent report on British architect Richard Rogers. He was just awarded the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s most prestigious award.

Originally broadcast March 28, 2007, on All Things Considered