LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the second opera of Wagner's Ring cycle: Die Walküre during LA Opera’s pre-performance lecture in June 2010. Maestro Conlon goes in depth on Die Walküre's characters, plot line, and musical themes. Listen to all four talks in preparation of LAO At Home's audio stream of Wagner's epic four-part Der Ring des Nibelungen, conducted by Mu...

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the first opera of Wagner's Ring cycle: Das Rheingold during LA Opera’s pre-performance lecture in June 2010. Maestro Conlon goes in depth on Das Rheingold's characters, plot line, and musical themes. Listen to all four talks in preparation of LAO At Home's audio stream of Wagner's epic four-part Der Ring des Nibelungen, conducted by...

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon sets the stage for the upcoming audio-stream of Richard Wagner's epic, four-part Ring cycle (Der Ring des Nibelungen) by reflecting on the philosophy of the German-language music drama. Commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the company's first complete presentation, the Ring cycle will be featured in a marathon, back-to-back audio stream of...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he concludes his exploration of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this episode, Maestro Conlon continues sharing the real-life stories of Pierre-Augustin Caron...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he continues his exploration of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this episode, Maestro Conlon shares the real-life stories of Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarc...

In this podcast, LA Opera's Sebastian Paul & Marybelle Musco President & CEO Christopher Koelsch speaks with renowned mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey. Ms. Lindsey was scheduled to appear as Mélisande in LA Opera's production of Pelléas and Mélisande, but it was necessarily cancelled due to COVID-19. Listen to this wide-ranging conversation, recorded in early May from their respective homes, as the two...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this third episode, Maestro Conlon continues his exploration of class struggle and the battle of...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this second episode, join Maestro Conlon continues his exploration of class struggle and the bat...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this episode, join Maestro Conlon as he explores class struggle and the battle of the sexes that...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this second episode of the series, Conlon continues his exploration and comparison of Rossini an...

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this first episode of the series, Conlon begins his exploration by taking us on a journey into R...

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, considers the important aspects of how music and opera enhance our very being – especially in difficult times. Join him from his home, as he explores how operatic selections from Verdi, Mozart, Wagner and more, can inspire, heal, console, distract and entertain. www. LAOpera.org/podcasts

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the connections between composers Claude Debussy and Richard Wagner, and their operas "Pelléas & Mélisande" and "Tristan and Isolde," respectively. Join him from his home, as he delves into the music and universal mythological themes of these important composers' work. (Part Two of a two-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the connections between composers Claude Debussy and Richard Wagner, and their operas "Pelléas & Mélisande" and "Tristan and Isolde," respectively. Join him from his home, as he delves into the music and universal mythological themes of these important composers' work. (Part One of a two-part series.)

As part of LA Opera Connects' Opera for Educators day on March 21, we focused on inspiring research and creative methods for teachers and parents to share opera with children. Dr. Beatriz Ilari Associate Professor for Music Teaching and Learning at USC, discussed music and early child development research, and ideas that you can easily implement at home. Follow along with Dr. Ilari's PowerPoint fr...

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part Three of a three-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part Two of a three-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part One of a three-part series.)

In this special Spanish language edition of Behind the Curtain, world-renowned tenor Ramón Vargas joins LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Gabriela Flores for a lively conversation about his career, his artistry, and developing the human elements of the characters he portrays on the stage.

Opera scholar and enthusiast Duff Murphy discusses the inspiration behind Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Roberto Devereux, as well as Queen Elizabeth I’s role as a romanticized historical figure, in his pre-performance talk on February 22, 2020. More information on LA Opera's production of Roberto Devereux: www. LAOpera.org/Devereux

Dana Gioia, former poet laureate of California, explores the life and struggles of Gaetano Donizetti, composer of LA Opera's upcoming production of "Roberto Devereux". The so-called “underrated” composer produced almost 70 operas before he died at the age of 50. In his short life, Donizetti changed the future of opera by defining the bel canto style and the role of the diva. For more information o...

Composer of Eurydice, Matthew Aucoin, takes us on a creative journey behind the musical themes of his newest opera. Recorded live on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Shortly before the final dress rehearsal for "Eurydice" on January 29, 2020, scenic designer Daniel Ostling and costume designer Ana Kuzmanić sat down for a conversation with LA Opera Connects Vice President Stacy Brightman and an audience of excited students and teachers.

LA Opera's Artist in Residence and composer Matthew Aucoin and playwright Sarah Ruhl speak on their opera "Eurydice" with LA Opera's Joshua Winograde (Senior Director of Artistic Programs) during the pre-show talk prior to the opera's world premiere on February 1, 2020. More information on Eurydice: https://www.laopera.org/performances/201920-season/eurydice/

How do you give birth to an opera? This conversation between the creators of the world-premiere opera Eurydice - Matthew Aucoin (composer) and Sarah Ruhl (librettist) - reveals the process, the inspirations and the hurdles. Soprano Danielle de Niese, who is originating the role of Eurydice, joins the conversation along with LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. Eurydice makes is premie...