Central City Opera Podcast

On this episode, meet baritone Curt Olds, here this season for our special performances of ENCORE - A MUSICAL REVUE on August 8, 9, and 11. Curt has a long history with Central City, last seen with the company as Frank Schultz in SHOW BOAT in 2013. Still performing nationally, he is also a director, producer, and artist manager. Curt describes ENCORE and the cool Central City history woven into it...

On this episode, we go behind the scenes to the props department. Properties Master Kurt Tiede takes us into this fascinating area and tells us the secrets of props you'll see onstage this season at Central City Opera. He also shares how he has to know something about everything that happens on and off stage, from the acting and singing to scenic design, to electrics and costume design. He gives a...

On this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing the mayor of Central City, Kathryn Heider. The first woman mayor of the 159-year-old town, Kathy shares how she got involved in city government, some cool stories about Central City and the historic home she lives in, how the opera and the city co-exist, and her hopes and dreams for Central City, including its recent acquisition of the historic...

On this episode, meet bass-baritone (and my long-time friend) Ashraf Sewailam. Making his debut in our opera house this summer, Ashraf performs the roles of The Speaker in THE MAGIC FLUTE and Ferrando in IL TROVATORE. He tells us about these characters and their significance in the overall story arc of the operas, as well as what it's like juggling the roles in rehearsal. We also get into the impo...

On this episode, we meet our Queen of the Night and Sarastro, principals in THE MAGIC FLUTE. Soprano Jeni Houser and bass Kevin Langan share their ideas of who these enigmatic characters are and how they are interpreted in this production. Jeni reveals how she approaches singing such famous music, and Kevin unpacks the opera's history and traditions. While they may not appear onstage together, the...

On this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the two creative leaders of Verdi's IL TROVATORE - director and designer Joachim Schamberger and conductor John Baril. Joachim tells us about his production concept - how he stays true to the medieval setting of the opera while using 21st-century storytelling techniques - and John gets into what you should listen for and why Verdi is truly one...

On this episode, we are reunited with soprano Alexandra Loutsion and tenor Jonathan Burton. They have both been busy since we last saw them in TOSCA in 2016! Back this summer as Leonora and Manrico in IL TROVATORE, Alex and Jon dive deep into the complexities of the opera's plot and music. And since they've known and performed with each other many times, this interview was a lot of fun. Have quest...

On this episode, we meet soprano Katherine Manley and tenor Joseph Dennis, the Pamina and Tamino in Central City Opera's production of THE MAGIC FLUTE. They delve into the characters, their relationship onstage, and this production, sharing their personal connections with the opera and the themes within. Joe tells us about his experiences as an ensemble member of the Vienna State Opera, and Kate s...

On this episode, we meet the director of THE MAGIC FLUTE, Alessandro Talevi. Alessandro shares his unique and creative concept for this summer's production, explaining how he's found the balance between the playful and serious sides of the opera. He also talks about how he handles the controversial aspects in the libretto and how seeing the movie "Amadeus" got him hooked on classical music. Have q...

On this episode, General/Artistic Director Pelham "Pat" Pearce takes us through the 2018 Festival, sharing what he's excited about and how these four operas – THE MAGIC FLUTE, IL TROVATORE, ACIS AND GALATEA, and THE FACE ON THE BARROOM FLOOR – came to be part of the season. He also reveals what's on the exciting 2019 season.    Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at  podcast@centr...

On this final episode of Season Two of the podcast, meet Director of Marketing Lisa Zetah. Brand-new to opera, Lisa shares some exciting plans for the company and gives her reactions to seeing her first summer festival, as well as how she's not the only one to have "drunk the Central City Opera Koolaid" in her family. Be sure to listen to the very end of this episode for an extra special send-off....

Want to know who the real Wizards behind the Curtains are? Stage managers Rachel Ginzberg and Erin Thompson-Janzsen are the nerve centers for Cosi fan tutte  and Carmen  this season. On this episode, they'll give you the run-down on what they're doing right before curtain goes up, how the uniqueness of the Central City Opera House offers up a few interesting challenges, and some secrets behind eac...

One of the hardest working people in our orchestra, bassoonist Kim Peoria is also the Orchestra Manager, Music Librarian, and Assistant to the Music Director. A part of Central City Opera for 26 years, Kim takes us behind the scenes and into the pit in this episode, sharing details such as how loud it gets down there, the audition process, and how he found his way to the bassoon. He also describes...

On this episode of the podcast, meet the set and costume designer for Cosi fan tutte , Andrew D. Edwards. He discusses why he and director Stephen Barlow chose to set this opera around the year 1900 at a university, as well as how he designs for the opera stage and singers, what a costume fitting is like at Central City Opera, and how he found his way to the field of theater design. Have questions...

David Jacques is the long-time lighting designer at Central City Opera. I interviewed him over Skype back in April about what exactly a lighting designer DOES, and David explains how music and light go hand-in-hand. We also talk about how the people at CCO are like family to him and why those relationships help make great art, as well as his philosophy in teaching the next generation of lighting d...

The Apprentice and Studio Artists of the Bonfils-Stanton Artists Training Program at Central City Opera are some of the most talented up-and-coming singers in the country. In addition to performing in the chorus, opera scenes, and one-act operas, many are also covering principal roles. On this episode, meet mezzo-soprano Gina Perregrino and tenor John Kun Park, who will perform the roles of Carmen...

If you saw  The Prodigal Son  in 2015 at Central City Opera, you'll recognize this summer's Nebuchadnezzar in  The Burning Fiery Furnace  – tenor Bille Bruley. A highly talented Britten interpreter, Bille shares how he is putting this updated production concept into a context that works for him, and describes this flawed King and his journey to enlightenment. Have questions or want to provide feed...

On this episode of the podcast, meet the stage director of the one-acts  Gallantry  and  Cabildo . Alison Moritz is back this season after assistant directing  Tosca  last summer, and she talks about her concepts for both these pieces. She also shares how she got into directing and what she's dying to direct next, and why Williams Stables in Central City is the perfect venue for these operas, espe...

The stage director of The Burning Fiery Furnace is Ken Cazan, who has directed at Central City Opera for 16 seasons. This one-act opera by Benjamin Britten is a timeless tale from the Bible, and Ken walks us through the storyline and background of the piece, as well as his friendship with the opera's original director, why he has such a connection to Britten's works, and why you don't need to be r...

You'll finally get to meet tenor Matthew Plenk on this episode of the podcast. He's playing the role of Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte this season. We talk about his favorite aspects of Ferrando's character and music, his experiences at the Metropolitan Opera during the National Council Auditions and the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, teaching at the University of Denver, his musical youn...

On this episode of the podcast, get to know soprano Angela Mortellaro, who is performing the role of Micaela in Carmen this season. She shares her thoughts on the symbolism of Micaela in the opera, how she loves the rehearsal process of any show she's in, prepping for a new role and a new company, life on the road, and how she got into singing. Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us...

On this episode of the podcast, meet mezzo soprano Tamara Gura who is performing the role of Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte this season. Tamara talks about living and working in Europe, the magic of Mozart's music, how the experience of losing her father 10 years ago has made her into a more honest and authentic performer, and the inner workings of Dorabella. Have questions or want to provide feedbac...

Get ready for a long conversation between good friends on this episode of the podcast. Mezzo-soprano Megan Marino and I have known each other for nearly 12 years, and she is our Despina in COSI FAN TUTTE this summer. We get into how she's a lot like Despina in real life, her journey with classical singing after starting as a jazz vocal major in college, and how her previous impressions regarding t...

A fan favorite at Central City, baritone Michael Mayes is back this summer as Escamillo in Carmen. On this episode, Mike talks about the difference between singing this kind of a role versus roles he's done in the past at CCO, and he digs into the psychology of the lead characters. Mike also shares what it's like having his wife Megan Marino here (Despina in this season's Cosi fan tutte ) and give...