Central City Opera Podcast

Join our Director of Choruses, Tyler Tucker, and Stage Manager Kendra Green for an exploration of all things Marriage of Figaro. centralcityopera.org/2026-festival

Welcome to the 2026 season of the Central City Opera Podcast! This summer's festival is full of music, drama, and fun. On today's episode, take a tour of what we will SEE and HEAR this summer with our Director of Production, Emily Barber, and our Head of Music, Jeremy Reger. For tickets and more, head to centralcityopera.org/2026-festival. See you at the opera!

In the final episode of Season 10, we sit down with star of  Once Upon a Mattress , Marissa Rosen, to discuss what a career on Broadway is like, and what it's like for a performer to cross over from musical theatre to opera. We then chat with John Heginbotham, choreographer for this year's production of  Once Upon a Mattress , to discuss movement in an opera on a jewel-box stage. Finally, we'll he...

Hear from Deborah Brevoort, librettist of  The Knock, about the process of writing an opera, bringing The Knock  to Central City, and where she sees the future of contemporary opera and world premieres. Then, listen in to our conversation with Armando Contreras, star of  The Knock , about originating a role in a new work, his Colorado roots, and why this opera in particular holds a special place i...

Join Louis Lohraseb, principal conductor, and Luke Sutliff, playing Figaro, for conversations about this season's production of  The Barber of Seville, how they got their starts in opera, and what it's like collaborating and singing on the CCO stage.  Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at  podcast@centralcityopera.org . Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episo...

In this episode, we sit down Artistic Director Alison Moritz to discuss the 2025 Central City Opera Festival, our inagural CCO in Concert, and a preview of what's on for next year! We then check in with Dave Mazzeno, our Supervising Stagehand and Head Lighting Electrician, to talk about what our stagehands do behind the scenes to make every show come to life. Have questions or want to provide feed...

In this episode, we sit down with our inspiring CEO, Scott Finlay, to learn more about the man behind the leadership. With over 12 years at Central City Opera, Scott shares his journey, from his early days with the company to stepping into the role of CEO. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of leading an opera company, the importance of transparency, and how he navigates issues like audien...

In this episode, sopranos Kara Shay Thomson and Jasmine Habersham reflect on forging your own path in opera. Both began their journeys at Central City Opera as Young Artists in the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program and returned last season as principal performers. They share advice and encouragement for the next generation of Young Artists. Later, meet Eric Chinn, Director of His...

On this episode, Central City Opera's new Artistic Director Alison Moritz, and Managing Director of External Affairs Adam Scurto discuss the 2024 Festival Season. Join Alison and Adam as they discuss the future of Central City Opera, give tips on how to get the best out of Central City whether it's your first time or your hundredth, and talk about the places Opera can take you. Have questions or w...

On this episode, Cecilia Violetta López and Digital Marketing Manager Peter Constas Cecilia's role as Desdemona in this year's production of  Othello . Cecilia dives into how her mom taught her to sing while working on a sugar beet farm, how she got her own day in Idaho, and how she acclimated to Central City's altitude.  Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at  podcast@centralcity...

On this episode, Developing Artist Kameron Alston and Digital Marketing Manager Peter Constas discuss Kameron's role as Tybalt in this year's production of  Romeo & Juliet . Learn about one of the youngest members of the Developing Artist troupe and what it's like duel-wielding on stage.  Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at  podcast@centralcityopera.org . Remember to subscribe...

On this episode, Developing Artist Isaiah Feken and Digital Marketing Manager Peter Constas discuss Isaiah's role as a "gangster" in this year's production of  Kiss Me, Kate . Learn about what it's like to be on stage with Broadway legends as an opera singer, why it's more fun being the villian, and the commonalities between opera and dogs.  Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at...

On this episode, Music Director John Baril and Central City Opera CEO Pamela Pantos discuss the three main-stage productions being featured in this year's Summer Festival. Brush up on your Shakespeare, because this season includes productions of Romeo & Juliet, Kiss Me, Kate, and Othello . Join John and Pamela as they detail the rarity of seeing six tenors in one opera, how Cole Porter keeps the d...

On this episode, we hear from David Duffield, a historian with The Center on Colfax in Denver, Colorado. David was part of a panel of experts hosted by Central City Opera on June 12, 2022, to give perspectives on the themes within the chamber opera TWO REMAIN. I asked him to be on the podcast to dig even deeper, and he shares about LGBTQ history in Colorado and beyond, art as activism, and cultura...

On this episode, we hear from sopranos Rebecca Caine and Diana Newman, principals in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. Rebecca plays the role of Margaret Johnson, and Diana plays the role of Margaret's daughter Clara. This is the first time they've worked together, and watching them onstage, you'd think they were old friends. Rebecca shares how much she loves playing a woman of a "certain age," and Diana t...

On this episode, we hear from conductor Brandon Eldredge and soprano Tessa McQueen about Act One of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's chamber opera, TWO REMAIN. Act One focuses on the true story of Polish poet Krystyna Zywulska surviving the Holocaust – and the psychological trauma she dealt with the rest of her life. It's based on her searing memoir of 1946, "I Survived Auschwitz." Brandon and Tessa...

On this episode, we pull back the curtain and hear from the Costume Designer for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Edina Hiser. There are a LOT of costumes in this production, and Edina gives us the insights into the symbolism she embeds in the design, the anatomy of a quick change – since there are so many! – how she is able to engineer costumes to function efficiently yet not alter their authenticity, an...

On this episode, we hear from two principal singers in DIE FLEDERMAUS: mezzo-soprano Kira Dills-DeSurra who plays the role of Prince Orlofsky, and tenor William Ferguson, who plays the role of Eisenstein. Both Kira and Will are seasoned comedic performers, and their healthy senses of humor are on full display during this episode. Will and Kira talk about the magic of live performance and how much...

On this episode, we dive deep into DIE FLEDERMAUS with stage director Joachim Schamberger and conductor John Baril. While on the surface, this operetta may seem like nothing but champagne bubbles and fun, Joachim and John reveal the complexities of the story and music that make this operetta timeless. Joachim is an acclaimed stage director and video designer who is currently Director of Opera at N...

On this episode, stage director Ken Cazan and conductor Adam Turner share their insights into the musical THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. This is Ken's 20 th season directing at Central City Opera, and Adam has worked on the music side for seven seasons since 2011, first as associate conductor, then as guest principal conductor. Ken and Adam dig into the story and sounds of this Tony-Award-winning musica...

On this episode, we go behind the scenes with Technical Director Kerry Cripe and Stage Manager Angela Turner. Kerry's been TD with Central City Opera since 2017, and this was Angela's first summer with us. And what a summer it's been! Kerry and Angela share all the insider details on producing an outdoor opera festival in Colorado, complete with 100-degree weather and monsoons. They also share som...

On this special "Young Artist Spotlight" episode, we meet three singers from Central City Opera's Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program: baritone Bernardo Medeiros, mezzo-soprano Michelle Monroe, and soprano Marin Tack. The two women have small but significant roles in all three shows, and Bernardo is covering the two title roles, Rigoletto and Aeneas. We talk about what this summer...