LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

Behind the Curtain: The Female Leads of LA Opera's 22/23 Season with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano discusses the multifaceted female leads in LA Opera's 22-23 season. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

Behind the Curtain: An In-Depth Look at LA Opera's 22/23 Season Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, LA Opera's Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO Christopher Koelsch, takes an in-depth look at the mainstage operas and special events that make up our spectacular 37th season with Maestro James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, and Russell Thomas, LA Opera's Artist in Residence. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org

Discussing The State of American Opera with Alaysha Fox and Jeremy Frank Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

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, LA Opera's Alaysha Fox hosts Chorus Director Jeremy Frank for a discussion about the unique roots and qualities of American Opera as well as their shared excitement about Omar, an opera by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels opening at LA Opera this October. Tickets to Omar and the rest of LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

From the Vault: Building an Opera: A Conversation with the Creators of Eurydice Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

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. How do you give birth to an opera? In this episode, recorded in 2020, the creators of the world-premiere opera Eurydice - Matthew Aucoin (composer) and Sarah Ruhl (librettist) - reveal their process, the inspirations and hurdles. Soprano Danielle de Niese, who originated the role of Eurydice, joins the conversation along with LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

Highlighting 20th Century African-American Opera Composers with Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

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, Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong highlights and celebrates the work of five African-American composers from the first part of the 20th century. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

What Makes American Opera with Dr. Tiffany Kuo Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

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, Dr. Tiffany Kuo discusses the intersectional qualities that can make American opera challenging to define, according to four musicians and two scholars who were asked to share their perspectives on a wide range of operas, from Scott Joplin's Treemonisha to Philip Glass' Einstein on the Beach and more. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org. Please be advised that some of the musical content in this episode may not be suitable for all audiences.

From the Vault: Opera Producer Beth Morrison with Brian Lauritzen Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

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; how BMP and LA Opera formed their artistic partnership; and the relationship between new work and the standard opera repertoire.

From the Vault: Dana Gioia on Walt Whitman and Opera Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

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, Walt Whitman, and how Whitman's great love of opera influenced his life and work. To continue learning about American opera visit our Lesson Plans and Resources page at LAOpera.org/Connects.

Behind the Curtain: In Conversation with Russell Thomas and Christopher Koelsch Jun 29, 2022

Show notes

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.

Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with LA Opera Connects' College Advisory Committee Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

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 our learning and community programming, please visit LAOpera.org/Community.