LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

LA Opera is proud to share this special conversation recorded on November 9, 2015 between renowned opera artist Maria Ewing and Michael Hackett of UCLA. Throughout her remarkable career, Miss Ewing astonished audiences with her searing performances in both soprano and mezzo-soprano roles. As one of the early leading artists at LA Opera, she spoke with Dr. Hackett as part of LA Opera's oral history...

In this podcast, which continues our Exploring the Operatic Canon series, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano takes us through the influences on the canon and helps us to examine the nature of opera as well as the possibilities and challenges for its future.

In this podcast, which continues our Exploring the Operatic Canon series, Dr. Tiffany Kuo discusses the identity and accessibility of the traditional canon, from production to reception, and the ways in which we can discover new works and address equity in the performing arts today.

In this podcast, which continues our Exploring the Operatic Canon series, Dr. Naomi André discusses the Italian origin of opera and the concept of the operatic canon, as well as changes and influences over the years and some of her joy as she looks forward to the inclusion of wonderful new works.

In this podcast, the first of an Exploring the Operatic Canon series, Maestro James Conlon discusses one of opera lovers' favorite parts of the canon: the operas of the 19th and 20th centuries. From Verdi to Stravinsky, Maestro Conlon shares his wisdom and insight.

Jeremy Frank, LA Opera's Associate Chorus Master, is actually a man of many talents: conductor, pianist, educator and... mixologist? He is certainly the delightful host of LA Opera Connects' popular Opera Happy Hour web series. In this podcast version of the episode, join Jeremy for a piano-side chat all about countertenors. Jacob Ingbar, a current member of our Young Artist Program and all-star c...

In this special episode of Behind the Curtain, join LA Opera's Senior Director of Artistic Programs Joshua Winograde and Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artists as they share and dive into their favorite songs and recordings to listen to during the holidays. Follow the link below for full-length recordings featured in this episode. https://www.laopera.org/discover/podcasts/behind-the-curtain-holiday-s...

In this podcast, Associate Chorus Master Jeremy Frank explores classic operatic holiday tunes in an episode of Opera Happy Hour. If you're ready for an Opera Happy Hour, sip (and sing) along with Jeremy as he plays favorites from "La Bohème" and "Die Fledermaus" with a festive Manhattan in hand. For an even more participatory experience, head over to the video linked in the description and enjoy....

In this special episode of Behind the Curtain, the whole family can discover the story of Rossini's opera Cinderella (La Cenerentola). Introduce your young ones (and the young at heart) to spunky Cinderella (no damsel in distress here), who overcomes adversity and finds true love with the dashing prince. This unforgettable family-friendly comedy delivers laughs, love and, of course, stunning music...

In this podcast, tilted "Rossini's Plucky Mezzos", Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong, LA Opera Connects affiliated scholar, presents a historical and cultural context behind Italian opera - exploring voice types, characters, and how these influenced Rossini's work. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators.

Before you enter the (bright pink) fantasy world of Cinderella, learn more about the opera and its composer with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano, Chair of Music History at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and a LA Opera Connects affiliated scholar. This pre-show talk gives you the ins and outs of Rossini's life, his magical opera, and the characters of Cinderella.

In this podcast, Andréa Fuentes, Director of LA Opera Connects, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of Rossini's La Cenerentola. This production of La Cenerentola, new to Los Angeles Opera, opens November 20, 2021.

In this podcast, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano, Chair of Music History and Literature at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, explores the careers and influences of Rossini and Wagner up to 1850 in the context of European opera cultures of that time. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects' Scholar Series on Rossini's La Cenerentola and Wagner's Tannhäuser.

In November of 2021, LA Opera and CalPerformances are co-presenting The English Concert on tour with Handel's Alcina. In this podcast, Jeremy Geffen of CalPerformances leads conductor Harry Bicket in conversation about Handel's masterpiece.

In this pre-performance talk, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano, Chair of Music History at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and an LA Opera Connects affiliated scholar, introduces audiences to "Alcina," an opera seria written by George Frideric Handel. Dr. Brown-Montesano discusses the composer, the baroque period and the story of this great work.

Jeremy Frank, LA Opera's Associate Chorus Master, is actually a man of many talents: conductor, pianist, educator and mixologist? He is certainly the delightful host of LA Opera Connects' popular Opera Happy Hour web series. In this episode, Jeremy is mixing up a Cuba Libre (aka rum and coke) in preparation for the spookiest episode of Opera Happy Hour yet. This week, we're talking all about the c...

In this podcast, Michael Abels, composer of the score for Get Out, is interviewed by host Bruce Lemon Jr, actor, writer, producer, and director of LA Opera's 2020 production of The Anonymous Lover. Together, they discuss Michael Abels' work with Get Out at the Ace Theater. Come see composer Michael Abels conduct his disconcerting “gospel horror” original score, performed live by the LA Opera Orche...

In this podcast, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Wagner's Tannhäuser in this pre-recorded pre-performance talk.

In this podcast, Andréa Fuentes, Director of LA Opera Connects, speaks with composer Carlos Simon, librettist Sandra Seaton, and Director and Choreographer Jamar Roberts about the collaboration, artistry, and meanings in the digital short "The First Bluebird in the Morning." "The First Bluebird in the Morning" is available at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, Andréa Fuentes, Director of LA Opera Connects, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of Wagner's Tannhäuser. An original LA Opera production of Tannhäuser opens October 16.

In this podcast, delve into the universe (literally) during this wide-ranging conversation with musical selections, featuring astronomer Dr. Laura Danly, Curator of the Griffith Observatory and James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director. Together they examine the power and influence of Venus, the goddess and star of love, over the title character of Wagner's Tannhäuser. This podcast wa...

In this podcast, Il Trovatore performers Morris Robinson and Tiffany Townsend, along with Fight Choreographer Andrew Kenneth Moss, discuss their creative beginnings, the way they kept their creativity during COVID, and, of course, Verdi's Il Trovatore with this episode's host, Suzanna Guzmán.

In this podcast, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Il Trovatore - the story, its social contexts, and, of course, the music - in this pre-recorded pre-performance talk.

In this podcast, Dr. Mitchell Morris discusses Verdi, Verdi's operas and melodramma, and Il Trovatore. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators.

In this podcast, mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis, who plays Azucena in LA Opera's 2021 production of Il Trovatore, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of Verdi's masterpiece, which opens September 18th.