LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American opera - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences, and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode, recorded in 2018, Opera producer Beth Morrison sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in a conversation covering what led Morrison to create her company, Beth Morrison Projects; h...

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American operas - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode from May 2018 Dana Gioia, internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet, former California Poet laureate and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, discusses one of his heroes,...

In this podcast, Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera's Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO, chats with internationally acclaimed tenor and LA Opera Artist in Residence Russell Thomas about careers and access in opera as well as Mr. Thomas's journey to the operatic stage. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, listen as we explore the experiences of the future generations of opera-lovers. Moderators Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano and Xochitl Hernandez chat with LA Opera Connects' College Advisory Committee and Leadership Academy members Sakeenah Godfrey, JJ Abraham Flores, and Joseph-Nathaniel Cuenca. To apply for LA Opera Connects' College Advisory Committee, or for more information about...

In this podcast recorded in 2019, Indre Viskontas, neuroscientist and operatic soprano, discusses the relationship between music and the brain. From June 12 to June 18, 2022, explore the intersection between arts and health through a series of events across LA County. For more information and a full schedule, please visit LAOpera.org/Wellness.

In this podcast, ​Andréa Fuentes, Director for LA Opera Connects, chats with opera singers and arts and health advocates Nani Sinha and Michele Patzakis. Join LA Opera Connects in celebrating LA County Arts and Health Week June 12-18, 2022. In collaboration with LA County Department of Arts and Culture and the WHO Healing Arts Initiative as well as multiple arts and health organizations around Los...

In this podcast, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano discusses Verdi's Aida; the music, the women and the drama. See LA Opera's Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from May 21 to June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, listen to James Conlon, Richard Seaver Music Director for LA Opera, in his pre-performance lecture for Verdi's Aida, showing now at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. See LA Opera's Aida from May 21 - June 12, 2022, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, Dr. Muriel McClendon hosts "History Vs. Opera", in which Dr. Tiffany Kuo and Dr. Kara Cooney analyze Verdi's depiction of Egypt in Aida and historical records of Egypt's Old Kingdom. This recording was made as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. LA Opera's Aida is playing from May 21 to June 12 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavil...

In this podcast, Richard Seaver Music Director and conductor James Conlon shares his insight into the contexts and history of Aida, one of Verdi's great works. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. See LA Opera's Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion between May 21 and June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at...

In this podcast writer, music critic and cultural promoter, Gerardo Kleinburg, discusses "Aida: When Verdi (Almost) Said Good-bye". This recording was made as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. See Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from May 21 through June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, renowned soprano Latonia Moore shares the synopsis for Verdi's Aida, an opera with some of the most famous music in the operatic canon. Showing May 21 - June 12, see Latonia Moore and Russell Thomas star as secret lovers from rival kingdoms in this timeless romance, directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by James Conlon, at LA Opera. Tickets are available now on our website,...

In this podcast, LA Opera Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Koelsch and Aida Director Francesca Zambello discuss the challenges and joys of producing Verdi’s Aida for modern audiences. Come see LA Opera’s Aida from May 21 - June 12, 2022 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, LA Opera Connects director Andréa Fuentes interviews composer Nathan Wang, author and librettist Lisa See and director Jennifer Chang regarding On Gold Mountain, an opera based on Lisa See's book of the same title. See On Gold Mountain May 5-15, in the newly expanded Chinese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Tickets are available now, only at The...

In this special edition of Behind the Curtain LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon contemplates some of the rich musical works, oratorios, opera and stage festival plays, that have been associated with Easter traditions and celebrations. This recording was created in April of 2021.

In this podcast, composer Du Yun and creative producer Beth Morrison chat with musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo about the opera In Our Daughter’s Eyes, which is showing April 13, 14, 16, and 17, 2022 at REDCAT in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets to the world premiere of In Our Daughter’s Eyes are available now at laopera.org

Discover On Gold Mountain, the true story of Fong See, a pioneer of Los Angeles’ Chinatown who immigrated to the United States to find his fortune. Author and librettist Lisa See and composer Nathan Wang join Li Wei Yang, curator for the Pacific Rim Collections at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, soprano Shana Blake Hill, an original cast member of On Gold Mountain, and vi...

In this podcast, mezzo-soprano and host Suzanna Guzmán interviews Mexican tenor Javier Camarena regarding his journey to the operatic stage, his extensive career, and his love of music. See Javier Camarena in recital on March 31 and April 2, 2022, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, composer Tamar-kali Brown and filmmaker dream hampton discuss the genesis of their work with We Hold These Truths, a musical and cinematic triptych setting three iconic poems from Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, and Claude McKay. We Hold These Truths is available now on LA Opera's digital platform LA Opera On Now available at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Bach's St. Matthew Passion in this pre-recorded pre-performance talk.

In this podcast, Susan Graham, Artistic Advisor to the LA Opera's Young Artists Program, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. This production of St. Matthew Passion opens March 12, 2022.

In this podcast, composer Carla Lucero, poet and translator Dr. Rita Urquijo-Ruiz, and Silvia Nuñez director of UNAM (La Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México en Los Ángeles) discuss The Three Women of Jerusalem or Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén the first Spanish-language work commissioned by LA Opera for performances at the Cathedral of Our Lady of The Angels. This production will premiere on Sa...

In this podcast, musicologist Dr. Mitchell Morris continues our Exploring the Canon podcast series with a discussion of Spanish composer Manuel de Falla and his work El retablo del Maese Pedro, a puppet opera based on Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators, in celebration of the p...

In this podcast, composer Carla Lucero discusses the upcoming premiere of her work The Three Women of Jerusalem or Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén with stage director Eli Villanueva and consulting Vice President of LA Opera Connects Stacy Brightman. The Three Women of Jerusalem will premiere on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles. This recordin...

In this podcast, Dr. Ariane Helou, a scholar whose research focuses on drama, music and poetry in early modern Europe, and artist and choreographer Kitty McNamee discuss choreography and communication in the music, libretto and visuals of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.