The Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera)

From riots to radicalism to Disney and dinosaurs, Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" blasted on the classical music scene in May of 1913 and has been captivating audiences ever since. In one of their Deep Dives, Jeff and Carol talk about the man behind the music, the stories around the premiere, and the music that still sounds modern more than a century later (even though it isn't).

Though there is a children’s chorus, a children’s ballet, and adults playing children, "Hansel and Gretel" is much more than a children’s opera. In preparation for Utah Opera’s presentation of this beloved fairytale, Jeff and Carol talk about the opera’s backstory and why it’s one of the more underrated and sophisticated scores of the late nineteenth century.

For over 50 years, John Williams has delighted millions of listeners with his epic film music. Compositionally sophisticated and melodically inventive, his more than one hundred cinematic scores are masterpieces of virtuosic story-telling. In one of their patented Deep Dives™️, film score devotees Jeff and Carol talk about John Williams' life and amazing body of work, while sharing their personal...

From Salsa to Symphony—get to know newly appointed Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor Jessica Rivero Altarriba. The Ghostlight Team welcomes Maestra Altarriba to Utah and learns about her path to the podium. With a joyful commitment to audience engagement and a vision for the future of symphonic programming, she's a vibrant addition to our organization and our community.

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background information about the upcoming Utah Symphony performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. For tickets to Utah Symphony's November 2024 performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, visit: https://utahsymphony.org/event/id/33379

The Ghost Light team sits down with Leslie Peterson (Vice President of Development, USUO) to discuss arts funding in America. She shares insights from her experiences at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and the organization's support for the local Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) program in Salt Lake County.

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background and behind-the-scenes information about the upcoming Utah Opera production of Sondeim’s Sweeney Todd. In short, Sweeney Todd is a vengeance story in the vein of so many of the tragedies Utah Opera has staged in recent years. Although there is a high body count in this production, it’s about more than just murder. The complex stories and motives of bo...

The Ghost Light team sits down with Maestro John DeMain (Music Director, Madison Symphony) to discuss the intersection of Opera and Musical Theater. He shares insights from his experiences conducting Houston Grand Opera, his conversations with Stephen Sondheim regarding Sweeney Todd, and what subject he would like to see be made into an opera. To get tickets to the upcoming Utah Opera performance...

Co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down to discuss Scheherazade, Utah Symphony’s May performance featuring both Rimsky-Korsakov's famous orchestral suite as well as Ravel’s lesser-known Shéhérazade (a lovely song cycle originally inspired by Rimsky-Korsakov's version sung by Utah Opera Favorite Wendy Bryn Harmer). These two evening concerts perfectly captures the sultan’s savagery, the st...

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Massenet's "Thaïs." Giving you a behind the curtain look into this grandiose production, what to expect, and the history of Massenet's timeless work.

The Ghost Light Podcast sits down with guitarist Gretchen Menn and USUO VP of Education and Community Outreach Ben Kipp to discuss the upcoming Guitar Celebrations Festival featuring Another Night On Earth guitar ensemble with the Utah Symphony.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." They discuss why this opera is among the most performed operas worldwide, what to expect with THIS production, and the history of Mozart's timeless work.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give an in-depth look into Utah Opera's upcoming production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's "The Little Prince." The opera is based on the children's book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Originally debuted in 2019 by Utah Opera, this colorful instant classic returns to the Capitol Theatre stage with a whole new cast.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take a deep look into the origins of film music. From silent films to the first "talkies" and to the modern epic scores. What are their favorite movie scores? Who are their favorite creative partners? How does movie music fit in with the modern symphony orchestra? and finally, how do movie score composers stack up against the great composers in history?

Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with the newly appointed Utah Symphony Creative Partner, David Robertson, to discuss the genesis of his new role, the challenges and opportunities of programming a compelling concert, and what it's like being a part of a very musical family.

From the confused cosmos of the opening movement, to the folky and athletic scherzo, to the glorious finale. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you deep into the history and subtle details of Beethoven’s magnum opus. Learn about Beethoven’s personal life at the time of writing, the contemporary reaction to the work, and what Symphony No.9 means in modern culture. And finally, why do “war horse” p...

To kick of the 8th season of the Ghost Light Podcast, co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts take you behind the music and production of the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Puccini's La bohème. Discover the historical origins of the famed opera and why it's among the most performed operas world-wide. Jeff and Carol also give you some insider details of this production, and discuss La bohème's...

Now at the end of his tenure as Music Director of the Utah Symphony, Thierry Fischer sits down with hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to reflect on his time with the orchestra. What are his favorite memories? What travel advice would he give to a newcomer to Utah? Maybe most importantly of all, will he remain a fan of the Utah Jazz? Find out all of this and more with the latest episode of the G...

A modern opera about Steve Jobs? Ghost Light Podcast hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you behind the scenes of the next Utah Opera production: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. From electric guitar and techno sound patches combined with a full orchestra, complicated characters, and big voices get the inside scoop behind this Grammy Award winning opera. Learn why this production shows the fu...

Composer Mason Bates shares insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. What elements are considered when creating a new opera? What sound elements are considered with each character? And why write an opera about a tech giant? Find out in the lat...

Among the many facets of creating a new opera, librettist Mark Campbell feels that the most important element is starting with heart. Hear insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Verdi's “Rigoletto.”

Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment.”

Recently hired Costume Director, CeeCee Swalling joins the podcast to discuss what goes on behind the scenes in an opera costume shop. Find CeeCee on instagram @costumesbyceecee Or online at https://www.costumesbyceecee.com

In the first episode of The Ghost Light Podcasts seventh season, Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera performance of Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman." Find tickets for the production here: https://bit.ly/3M4lfgK