Just what makes us laugh?  Experts say the three most important elements are surprise, recognition, and exaggeration.

And there is no doubt that Anna Russell made masterful use of all three of those elements—and much more—to transform the raw materials of classical music into unforgettable comedy.

In this hour, Russell’s classic commentaries on the bagpipe, coloratura sopranos, and Wagner’s opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung ("I'm not making this up, you know!").