Behind the Curtain by Living Opera

Send us Fan Mail New episode of Behind the Curtain featuring international vocalist George Perris.   George is one of the rare artists who moves fluidly between classical technique, contemporary crossover, and global pop traditions. His multilingual albums have reached wide international audiences, and his concert work spans major stages around the world. Known for his expressive range and refined...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when rigorous economic research meets the world of classical music? Prepare to have your assumptions challenged as Soula Parassidis interviews economist Christos Makridis about his groundbreaking research quantifying the true value of arts and culture in our communities. With seven degrees (including two PhDs from Stanford) and over 80 published academic papers, Chris...

Send us Fan Mail Stillness and intuition play pivotal roles in the heartbeat of a performance for conductor Michael Hofstetter. His insights shed light on how the music industry has evolved over the last 40 years and why maintaining a deep connection to the art form is essential for both conductors and performers alike. He engages us with personal anecdotes from his life, revealing how childhood e...

Send us Fan Mail In this Behind The Curtain episode, Soula Parassidis and Norman Reinhardt talk about the multifaceted realities of pursuing an opera career, especially regarding often overlooked financial aspects. By sharing personal experiences and shedding light on hidden costs, to goal of this episode is to empower aspiring artists to understand better what lies ahead, emphasizing hope and edu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind The Curtain , hosted by Soula Parassidis, Maddalena Del Gobbo takes us on a captivating journey through her life in music, tracing her evolution from the cello to the viola da gamba and back again. She shares the deeply personal impact of family and pivotal life events on her artistic identity, revealing how music has been both a refuge and a source of he...

Send us Fan Mail This episode centers on the concept of future-proofing in the arts, exploring the grim employment statistics facing musicians and the need for adaptability and innovation. The discussion emphasizes mentorship, personal branding, and proactive roles for artists to reshape their futures in an evolving landscape. • Exploring the concept of future-proofing and its relevance to opera •...

Send us Fan Mail We explore optimistic predictions for the opera industry in 2025, discussing the importance of digital transformation, operational efficiency, regional engagement, collaboration, and audience education. The conversation emphasizes finding creative solutions to empower artists, connect with communities, and revitalize the art form. • Digital platforms will enhance audience reach th...

Send us Fan Mail What if the warmth of Christmas music could bridge gaps and foster global connections? As we unveil our mini Christmas special and launch our album All is Bright , we invite you to join us on a melodic journey that captures the true spirit of the season. This episode offers a performance of Silent Night , including a special verse in German for our Vienna audience, and a rendition...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine standing on stage, the spotlight burning down on you, as you prepare to hit that elusive high note—your personal Roman Emplire, constantly looming in your thoughts. In our latest episode, we promise an eye-opening journey into the minds and souls of opera singers, exploring the immense mental and physical preparation required for these critical moments. Through candid refl...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the worlds of economics and opera collide? Christos Makridis , professor, entrepreneur, social scientist, and co-founder of Living Opera , joins us to explore this unique intersection and reveal why the arts often go unnoticed by those who study numbers and markets. Christos takes us on his journey from the realms of economics and engineering into the intricate w...

Send us Fan Mail In Behind the Curtain , hosts Soula Parassidis and Norman Reinhardt delve into the raw realities of life as opera singers. In this premiere episode, they reflect on the catalyst moment that led to the founding of their organization, Living Opera . It all began in Paris on October 13, 2016, when Norman faced an unexpected crisis during a high-profile, celebrated performance. This e...