LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

In the Green Room: Hercules vs Vampires with Patrick Morganelli Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

This Halloween, LA Opera is thrilled to present "Hercules vs. Vampires" on October 30 and 31 at The United Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. In this episode, we talk to the composer of "Hercules vs. Vampires," Patrick Morganelli, about this high art meets high camp movie experience. Patrick has roots in some of LA's finest music schools and has worked in a fascinating variety of media, so grab your pumpkin spice lattes, start picking out your costume, and listen in as he shares the process of adapting a film into an orchestral score. Then get your tickets to this campy, vampy cult classic at LAOpera.org.

Arts and Health: Social Prescribing Panel with Renée Fleming and OPERA America Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Today's episode is part of our Arts and Health Series, which highlights the benefits of the arts on wellness. Listen in as we're joined by a distinguished panel including world-renowned artist and advocate and LA Opera Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming, neuroscientist and musician Dr. Indre Viskontas, Founder and CEO of Social RX Chris Appleton, and moderator Michael J. Bobbitt, President and CEO of OPERA America. Join us as they extol the value of the arts in bringing meaning to life, and as they expand the definition of health to be characterized not simply by the absence of disease, but by the presence of meaning. Arts and health is a fertile field of exploration, and LA Opera is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Visit LAOpera.org/Wellness for the latest discoveries on our resources.

Ideas on Stage: The Resonance of Carmen with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, LA Opera Connects Vice President Dr. Andréa Fuentes dives into the discourse around "Carmen" with LA Opera affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. They talk about the cultural, social, and political reverberations of "Carmen"—what's controversial, what's dynamic, and what resonance the opera holds for us today. Consider complexities you may or may not have examined in a whole new light, and get your tickets to our world premiere production at LAOpera.org/Carmen, playing October 17 through November 7. We can't wait to see you there.

In the Green Room: Engineering a New Carmen with Thaddeus Strassberger Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

What does engineering have in common with opera? What brought a Tulsa boy to New York City before he even finished high school? And what is it about the music that makes "Carmen" one of the most performed operas of all time? Uncover all of this and more when Gail Eichenthal interviews director and scenic designer Thaddeus Strassberger on this episode of "Behind the Curtain." Thaddeus helms the LA Opera season opener, "Carmen," running October 17 through November 7 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

From the Vault: James Conlon on Bernstein's Candide Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Today’s episode is a special feature from the Vault, with James Conlon, LA Opera Conductor Laureate, whom we couldn’t be more excited to have returning to the LA Opera podium this season to conduct “The Marriage of Figaro.” In this episode, Conlon discusses renaissance man Leonard Bernstein, growing up in Bernstein’s New York City, and Bernstein’s unique gift for connecting with people. Conlon also illustrates how Bernstein’s “Candide” is just as timely now as it was in the 1950’s, tackling challenging political themes with humanity, humor, and grace. Get your tickets now to “Candide” and “The Marriage of Figaro” as part of season packages at LAOpera.org.

From the Vault: The Great David Hockney's Turandot with Julia Friedman Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

With the "Behind the Curtain" team taking the summer to compose a great new podcast season for you, we're sharing Julia Friedman's thoughtful analysis of David Hockney's set design from the 2024 run of "Turandot" at LA Opera, on this episode from the Vault. Julia shares what Hockney saw as the commonalities between theater, photography, and painting, what inspired him to start designing the floor of a set, and why he represented the essence of an object—not the object itself—on stage. She also reveals what artistic experience Hockney described as "one of the best days of his life." "Turandot" returns to the LA Opera stage in 2027, with tickets on sale now as part of a season package at LAOpera.org. So, listen in and celebrate the great David Hockney with us on this episode of "Behind the Curtain."

Welcoming Music Director Domingo Hindoyan to LA Opera Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

This episode of Behind the Curtain is a toast to new beginnings. It's a special introduction to LA Opera's new Music Director, Domingo Hindoyan, joined in conversation by LA Opera President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Koelsch. Domingo shares deeply about his youthful discipline on the violin, his first experience conducting (which he describes as a "wave of sound"), and his equal love of symphonic work and opera. The conversation then lights on the joy of collaboration and having the utmost respect for the orchestra's skills. So settle in and meet the Maestro, and then get tickets for LA Opera's 26/27 season at laopera.org.

20 Years with Maestro Conlon: James Conlon's Legacy Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Lost and recovered voices. Contemporary composers and community opera. This episode of Behind the Curtain is a special one because it is the final episode in our miniseries with Maestro Conlon, as he rounds out his final season as Music Director with LA Opera. It's also one of the last episodes of our podcast season as the opera season sings to a close. We'll bring you some episodes from the vault this summer before starting up again with new episodes for our 26/27 season in the fall. But first, enjoy this fascinating exploration of 20th century music with the Maestro, and join us, with all of Los Angeles, in thanking him for an incredible 20 years as Richard Seaver Music Director of LA Opera. What a legacy. Thank you, Maestro, from all of us.

The Queen of the Night: Gender Roles in The Magic Flute with Dr. Tiffany Kuo and Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, LA Opera Connects affiliated scholars Dr. Tiffany Kuo and Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano discuss "The Magic Flute," lighting up the LA Opera stage. They tackle the tough issues of gender raised by depictions of the Queen of the Night. Is she good, or is she evil? Empowered or beholden? Or is it far more complicated than any binary? They also touch on the influence of Freemasonry in Mozart's magical fairy tale, with plenty of musical interludes to whet your appetite. Enjoy, and then get your tickets to "The Magic Flute" at LAOpera.org.

Advocates, Innovators, Changemakers: Conversations with Arts & Health Leaders Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Today on the podcast, Gail Eichenthal is joined by leaders at the intersection of Arts & Health to celebrate LA Opera’s partnerships and impact as we reflect on 5 years of LA County Arts and Health Week Summits. Listen in to conversations covering our 5th annual Summit's Core Themes. From Research to Practice with Sunil Iyengar of the NEA; Five Years of Progress with Kristin Sakoda, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; and Advocacy Across Sectors with Co-Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab Dr. Nisha Sajnani. Then, we'll hear from LA Opera Connects Vice-President Dr. Andréa Fuentes as we look the future of caring for our communities through the arts. LAOpera.org/Summit Arts.gov/Impact/Research LACountyArts.org JameelArtsHealthLab.org

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