LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

Behind the Curtain: Tannhäuser Scene-By-Scene Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

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.

From the Vault: A Return to Venusberg Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

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 was recorded in October, 2020.

Artists, Creativity, and Sacrifice – A Conversation with Il Trovatore artists Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

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.

James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on Il Trovatore Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

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.

Il Trovatore, Verdi, and Melodramma Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

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.

Behind the Curtain: Il Trovatore Scene-By-Scene Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

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.

Staging and Creation in Il Trovatore - A conversation with Raehann Bryce-Davis and Angela Saroglou Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis and assistant stage director Angela Saroglou discuss Il Trovatore behind the scenes and the pathways forward to bringing Verdi's work to life.

Convention and Form in Il Trovatore Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Dr. Mitchell Morris, Chair of Musicology as well as of LGBTQ studies at UCLA, discusses Il Trovatore, the career of Verdi, and the reception of Italian Opera. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects’ professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators, in September of 2020.

Building an Opera Community - LA Opera's Artist in Residence, Russell Thomas Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Christopher Koelsch, President and CEO of LA Opera, speaks with world-renowned tenor, Russell Thomas, LA Opera's recently-appointed Artist in Residence. They discuss Mr. Thomas’s new role with LA Opera which includes his two newly created training programs for young singers, his journey discovering and sharing opera, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the art form.

The Growth of Opera Leaders - Khori Dastoor in conversation with Suzanna Guzmán and Eli Villanueva Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, renowned mezzo soprano Suzanna Guzman chats with Khori Dastoor, an artist-turned administrative leader in the field of opera and the first woman to have the role of General Director and CEO of Houston Grand Opera. Joined by Eli Villanueva, the Resident Stage Director for LA Opera Connects, they discuss their journeys to discovering opera, careers, and plans for the future. This conversation was recorded as part of LA Opera Connects’ Opera Camp, a summer performance intensive for children ages 9 through 17.