LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

In this special episode of Behind the Curtain, join LA Opera staff and affiliated scholars as they share their favorite songs and recordings to listen to during the holidays.

Kathleen O'Mara didn't expect to win Operalia when she travelled to Mumbai for the renowned competition, but since winning first place, she's been offered roles around the world. Listen in as she discusses her journey to the competition, her experience as a member of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, and her upcoming roles with Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Paul Hopper...

In this episode, Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with conductor Domingo Hindoyan to discuss his musical background and how he brings his artistic passion for creativity and emotional expression to Romeo and Juliet. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode LA Opera Chorus Director, Jeremy Frank, provides additional context for Romeo and Juliet by diving deep into the music of Gounod and the history of French opera. This lecture was recorded as part of LA Opera Connects, professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this pre-recorded, pre-performance lecture, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano guides you through Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, the plot, the history, and of course the music. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this pre-recorded lecture (recorded Sunday, October 20, 2024), courtesy of the Opera League of Los Angeles and Hispanics for LA Opera, hear from film archivist Alejandra Espasande about the history of Spanish language film in Los Angeles and the making of Spanish Dracula. Then get a sneak peek of the music you'll hear from conductor Lina González-Granados. Playing October 25-27, tickets for Spa...

In this episode, made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, music critic Gerardo Kleinburg sits down with two-time Oscar winning composer, instrumentalist, and producer Gustavo Santaolalla; discussing his approach to creativity and the process of scoring the rediscovered classic, Spanish Dracula. Don't miss Gustavo's brand-new score, conducted by Lina Go...

In this episode, Vinicius Costa, member of the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program shares the synopsis for Romeo and Juliet, with annotated musical notes from musicologist, Dr. Tiffany Kuo. Playing November 2 - 23, tickets are available now at LA Opera.org

In this episode, a part of our Music and Wellness series, music therapist Stacie Aamon Yeldell shares her perspective on the power of the voice, and guides us through a musical grounding exercise. Learn more about how LA Opera Connects is exploring the connections between music, wellness, and recovery at LAOpera.org/ArtsandHealth and be sure to save the date for our Arts and Health Week Summit on...

In this episode Dr. Rebecca Corbett, USC's Director of Special Projects and Japanese Studies Librarian in the East Asian Library provides additional context for Madame Butterfly, through her research on Japanese tea practices. This conversation was recorded as part of Connects' professional development series, Opera for Educators.

In this episode, Executive Director of the Asian Opera Alliance, Melody Chang sits down with Madame Butterfly cast members, Rodel Rosel and Yuntong Han discussing their experiences in Madame Butterfly, how their identities influence their performances, and the work being done by LA Opera in collaboration with AOA to mitigate potential harm. Tickets to Madame Butterfly are on sale now.

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano provides additional context for Madame Butterfly in this pre-recorded lecture a part of Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Tickets for Madame Butterfly are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot and, of course, the music of Madame Butterfly by Puccini. Don't miss this unforgettable masterpiece, tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, musicologist, Dr. Tiffany Kuo shares an annotated listening guide and synopsis for Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Playing September 21 - October 13, tickets are available now at LA Opera.org

In this episode, Dr. Nita Baxani, chair of the Early Childhood Music Department at the Colburn School shares her research on BambinO, an opera for babies - and why early music exposure is so important for childhood development. Learn more about LA Opera Connects touring production BambinO at LAOpera.org/BambinO.

This upcoming season, LA Opera presents 5 exciting works, Madame Butterfly, Romeo and Juliet, Cosi fan tutte, Ainadamar and Rigoletto. Listen in as Richard Seaver Music Director Maestro James Conlon shares his insights into these operatic treasures in this pre-recorded conversation, a part of Opera for Educators. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Connects-affiliated scholar Dr. Tiffany Kuo, sits down with Fire and Blue Sky librettist Imani Tolliver and composer Joel Thompson to discuss the creative process behind this biographical work in this pre-recorded pre-show conversation.

In this episode, Connects-affiliated scholar Dr. Tiffany Kuo, sits down with Turandot cast member Julius Ahn and Stanford University professor Dr. Gordon H. Chang to contextualize Turandot in this pre-recorded post-show conversation.

In this episode, LA Opera Legacy Ambassador, Kennedy-Rue McCullough, reads the synopsis for Turandot. Playing May 18-June 8, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot and, of course, the music of Turandot by Puccini. Don't miss this thrilling masterpiece, tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

In this pre-recorded episode, Book of Mountains and Seas composer and librettist Huang Ruo and director and production designer Basil Twist join Beth Morrison for this post-performance conversation to discuss this adaptation of Chinese mythology, reshaped to match contemporary times.

Shawna Lucey and Rachel Willis-Sorensen bring the story of La Traviata to life through extensive research and world-building, sharing glimpses of their unique rehearsal process and personal stories that shape their artistry with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. Don't miss this new to LA production, playing now through April 26. Tickets are available at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon guides you through history of Verdi's La Traviata. Tickets to this new to LA production of La Traviata are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Sarah Saturnino, member of the LA Opera Young Artist Program, reads the synopsis for La Traviata. Playing April 6 through the 27. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org .

William Grant Still's Highway 1, USA is an opera about family. Listen in as affiliated scholar, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano and the grand-daughter of William Grant Still - Celeste Headlee, discuss who Still was at home - and how the powerful women in his life influenced the drama we see unfold on stage.