LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

In this episode, music critic and regular "Detrás del telón" host Gerardo Kleinburg takes us into the world of "Akhnaten" — in his words, "an utterly singular opera unlike any other." Kleinburg's exploration pulls themes from history, art history, and religion to weave a fascinating portrait of the historical figure Akhnaten before taking us into musical minimalism and the surprising world of comp...

Following a performance of "West Side Story" earlier this season, LA Opera Connects hosted a special panel on Arts & Health to celebrate the launch of the 2025 Arts and Health Week video series. This conversation touches on the arts as an essential part of personal and community wellness, and features LA Opera Advisor for Special Projects Renée Fleming and soprano Gabriela Reyes in dialogue with c...

In this special look inside the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, LA Opera's Senior Director of Artistic Planning Paul Hopper is joined by Young Artist Emily Damasco. Today, Emily and Paul chat about early opera memories, pierogi pizza, the intersection of arts and health, and the two roles Emily will be singing on the LA Opera mainstage this season in "Akhnaten" and "The Magic Flute." Y...

In this special look inside the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, we're featuring Young Artist Vinícius Costa, a bass from São Paulo, Brazil, who is singing three roles on the LA Opera main stage this season. Listen in as he chats with LA Opera's Paul Hopper about his musical origin story, first impressions of the American vocal scene, and visions for the future of his career. Catch this...

On this episode of "Behind the Curtain," UCLA scholar and musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano returns with another installment of "Serious Fun with Opera." She turns the pages of "La Bohème" all the way back to Henri Murger's original source material, immersing us in 1800's Paris and paying special attention to muses Mimì and Musetta. Enjoy this literary journey and be sure to get your tickets...

In this second episode of "Opera in the Community," musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo uses the lens of "La Bohème" to speak with three arts leaders and artist advocates —Asuka Hisa, who walks us through the exhibits at ICA LA; Mackenzie Royce, who shares about the affordable housing and work space rental programs at ArtShare LA; and artist Fatima Burns, who talks about the importance of having a safe p...

In this episode—an excerpt from our Exploring Opera series— LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank guides you through the musical moments of "La Bohème." Join Jeremy as he shares his wealth of knowledge about Puccini and the arias of Mimì and Musetta and all of your favorite bohemians. Don't miss this classic opera, and be sure to catch Jeremy Frank one hour before each performance in Stern Grand H...

On today's episode of "Behind the Curtain," LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with "La Bohème" star Janai Brugger. Follow Janai's journey all the way back to the start as she shares spectacular stories about following her dreams, approaching opera as an actor, balancing work and family, and her unbelievable experience at the Operalia competition. She also shares her approach to embod...

On this episode of "Behind the Curtain," Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal is joined by international director of opera and theater Brenna Corner. They discuss the addiction that is opera, the grandness of the operatic scale, advice for aspiring singers and directors, and, of course, "La Bohème." Dig deep into Brenna's directorial process here on Behind the Curtain, and then get your tickets to thi...

In this episode of "Behind the Curtain," Richard Seaver Music Director Maestro James Conlon compares and contrasts Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" and Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," painting a lively picture of 19th-century France. From consumptive heroines to young lovers in strife, these operas tug at our heartstrings while maintaining a timeless relevance. Experience the drama of "La Bohème" fro...

Welcome back to Behind the Curtain's mini series, 20 Years with Maestro Conlon, in which Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Maestro James Conlon to discuss his legacy here at LA Opera. In this episode, we explore Italian opera—Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, and beyond—touching on bel canto and what makes a 'perfect opera.' Get your tickets now for Puccini's "La Bohème" and Verdi's "Falstaff...

On today's exciting episode of "Behind the Curtain," Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Beth Morrison, the visionary behind Beth Morrison Projects. BMP's "Hildegard" is coming up at LA Opera's Off Grand series, November 5-9 at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. A world premiere, Hildegard is the first opera from Composer and Librettist Sarah Kirkland Snider, whose compositions have been hai...

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera with film archivist Alejandra Espasande as she interviews three of the leading experts on this horror classic, including Emmy Award-winning make-up artist and the definitive biographer on Lon Chaney himself, Michael F. Blake. Set your Halloween plans now and get your tickets to The Phantom of the Opera at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, veteran broadcast journalist Gail Eichenthal of Classical California KUSC sits down once again with Maestro James Conlon for the second episode of our miniseries, "20 Years with Maestro Conlon." This time, they transport us to the Classical period, with special emphasis on Maestro's legacy conducting Beethoven and Mozart—including Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," and Mozart's fi...

This week's episode is a panel discussion that was recorded live at our Opera Prep series, which brings secondary school groups to the Dorothy Chandler to experience a dress rehearsal. Hosted by Ashley Faatoalia, this West Side Story panel features Maestro James Conlon, Assistant Director Andrea Beasom, Assistant Choreographer Courtney Ortiz, and a very special guest, George Chakiris, who won the...

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar, Dr. Tiffany Kuo brings you "Opera in the Community," a Behind the Curtain mini-series that pairs each opera in our historic 40th Anniversary Season with an arts organization in Los Angeles. This episode pairs "West Side Story" with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Their current immersive music exhibit, A Great Day in East LA, illustrates the heritage, rhyt...

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot, and of course, the music of LA Opera's historic 40th season opener—Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story." Don't miss this American classic, playing now through October 12. Tickets are on sale at LAOpera.org.

In this week's episode of "Behind the Curtain," we tune in to a live-discussion hosted by our friends at the Opera League of Los Angeles between LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank and "West Side Story" Assistant Director Andrea Beasom, who brings her background as a professional dancer to the rehearsing and staging of Jerome Robbins original choreography. "West Side Story" electrifies the LA Op...

Not every tenor gets to play both Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" and Tony in "West Side Story," but Duke Kim is doing just that. In this episode, we go behind the curtain on Duke's burgeoning career, from his first aria to his success in prestigious vocal competitions. LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with Duke for a conversation that spans "West Side Story," "Romeo and Juliet," KPop,...

In this episode, veteran broadcast journalist Gail Eichenthal of Classical California KUSC sits down with Maestro James Conlon for the inaugural episode of our new mini-series "20 Years with Maestro Conlon." Here in this introductory episode, we'll explore LA Opera's upcoming 40th Anniversary Season with an in-depth look at each production through the Maestro's eyes, as well as getting a peek behi...

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano is back with another installment of Serious Fun with Opera. Starting with a look at the relationship between musical theater and opera, she compares and contrasts the two art forms and how they interplay musically. She then tackles West Side Story, which opens LA Opera's 40th Anniversary Season. With its still relevant theme...

On this week's episode of Behind the Curtain, KUSC's Gail Eichenthal interviews the director of West Side Story at LA Opera, Francesca Zambello. What unfolds is a fascinating conversation touching on Zambello's extensive work in the community, her vision for West Side Story, and this production's faithfulness to Jerome Robbins' original choreography. Listen in for a dose of inspiration, and get yo...

On today's episode of Behind the Curtain, Dr. Patricia Caicedo is a musicologist, a physician, and a world-class soprano whose work redefines the role of music in society. Today, she shares her excitement for LA Opera's upcoming production of West Side Story, and makes a passionate case for performers and listeners alike to engage with Spanish-language repertoire. Be sure to like, comment, and sub...

LA Opera kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season this fall with West Side Story, and in this episode from the vault, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank joins Connects Teaching Artist and renowned tenor Ashley Faatoalia to try and answer the age-old question: what's the difference between opera and musical theater? Whether you call West Side Story an opera or a musical, one thing's for sure; you'l...

In this episode from the vault, LA Opera Connects' Dr. Andréa Fuentes sits down with Colombia University's Dr. Shana Redmond to talk about why La Bohème so deeply resonates with us. They discuss the friendships, the economic struggle, the resilience, and the gender paradigms that populate this timeless opera, and what gives it its enduring charm. They also travel trains of thought-- from RENT to P...