LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

Opera Happy Hour: Musical Theater Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

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, Ashley Faatoalia joins Jeremy to help answer the age-old question: What’s the difference between musical theater and opera?

History vs. Opera: Don Giovanni with Dr. Muriel McClendon, Dr. Teofilo Ruiz and Jeremy Frank Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Dr. Muriel McClendon, Associate Professor of History at UCLA, and Dr. Teofilo Ruiz, a scholar of social and popular cultures of late medieval and early modern Spain, chat with LA Opera Associate Chorus Master Jeremy Frank about Mozart’s "Don Giovanni" — the fantasy and reality of the story, the meanings of Mozart’s music, and the complexity of the histories that centered this story in social roles and agency are discussed in a deep exploration of one of Mozart’s most well-known operas. This discussion, which was recorded as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series, Opera for Educators, covers some adult topics, and may not be suitable for listeners of all ages. Learn more about Opera for Educators at LAOpera.org/Connects.

"Styles And Philosophies Of Opera Since The 1950s” With Dr. Mitchell Morris Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Dr. Mitchell Morris discusses the complexity of opera post-1950. In his talk, titled “Modernism and the Sonically Complex: Styles and Philosophies of Opera Since the 1950s”, Dr. Morris invites us into the history of opera house repertory and a study of the effects of modernism. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Learn more about Opera for Educators at LAOpera.org/Connects.

Opera Happy Hour: Virtual Opera Vacation Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

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 special summer episode, Jeremy takes us on a virtual trip around the world while we listen to some of our favorite operas.

"Expanding the Operatic Canon and Reframing How We Consider its History Part 2" with Dr. Tiffany Kuo Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Dr. Tiffany Kuo discusses the influence of cultural context, venues, and patronage in producing opera as she analyzes Francesca Caccini’s "La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina", which Dr. Kuo refers to as "The Rescue of Roger". This recording was created in May 2021 as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. The subject for the entire day was "Expanding the Canon". We asked scholars to consider If the operatic canon is made up those works that are most frequently performed, who are the composers and what are the works, new and old, that may be brilliant but are currently overlooked, and even more, should be performed more often. Learn more about Opera for Educators at LAOpera.org/Connects.

Good and Bad Utopias in Billy Budd: A Conversation with Mitchell Morris Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

On June 26 at 10 am PT, LA Opera On Air will return to KUSC radio station with a broadcast of "Billy Budd." With an all-male cast of 25 solo roles, and vast choral and orchestral forces, all conducted by James Conlon, it’s the most grandly scaled of Britten’s many operas. Liam Bonner, Richard Croft and Greer Grimsley take the leading roles. And, of course, June is also Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. Benjamin Britten, the composer, was an openly gay man in a time and place where homosexuality was illegal. In this Behind the Curtain conversation, LA Opera's Connects Vice President Stacy Brightman speaks with Dr. Mitchell Morris, UCLA's chair of Musicology and chair for LGBTQ Studies; Dr. Morris speaks about Britten, his work, and how or if this opera is relevant in relation to how far the LGBTQ community has come since the opera’s premiere in 1951. Please note, this frank conversation touches on adult themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

James Conlon on Oedipus Rex Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

In anticipation of LA Opera's On Now streaming of "Oedipus Rex", Conductor and LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon delves into the one-act opera's mythic and musical power. Composer Igor Stravinsky and librettist Jean Cocteau based "Oedipus Rex" on the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles—yes, the one where Oedipus unknowingly kills his own father and marries his mother. The 1927 opera is a highly stylized and ritualistic work. The production will be available to watch beginning June 17, 2021. You can sign-up for free to access the video on LA Opera's website at www.LAOpera.org.

A Conversation with Composer Mariela Rodríguez and Soprano Vanessa Becerra Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

In this Behind the Curtain podcast, Andrea Fuentes, Associate Director for Programming with LA Opera Connects, speaks with composer Mariela Rodríguez and soprano Vanessa Becerra to discuss their work, artistry, and the importance of musical discovery in LA Opera's "After Hours: Latina Composers" recital, which is available at laopera.org.

"Stravinsky And Cocteau's Oedipus Rex" With Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano And Dr. Ariane Helou Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

In this Behind the Curtain conversation, musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown Montesano and Dr. Arianne Helou, a dramaturg and French studies scholar, discuss "Oedipus Rex," composed by Igor Stravinsky to a libretto by Jean Cocteau based on the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles. The 1927 opera is a highly stylized, ritualistic work set in the time of plague. On Sunday, June 6, 2021, LA Opera will present "Oedipus Rex" at our home in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. With a limited audience and safety protocols observed, it will be our first public, indoor performance since March 2020. Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon conducts a stellar cast led by tenor Russell Thomas, LA Opera's Artist in Residence, as Oedipus, the doomed king. Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges returns as Jocasta, his queen (and mother). Legendary actor Stephen Fry will make his LA Opera debut (via audio recording) as the Narrator in this equally-legendary tale. A special online version of "Oedipus Rex" will be released on June 17 for home viewing. Please check our website at www.LAOpera.org for more information.

Behind the Curtain LIVE: "Oh Freedom": Protest and Liberty Through Music May 25, 2021

Show notes

LA Opera artist in residence Russell Thomas has curated the digital recital "After Hours: Songs of Protest", honoring and celebrating some of the unforgettable music that has galvanized social justice. In this Behind The Curtain conversation, Dr. Shana Redmond, Professor of Musicology and African American Studies at UCLA, speaks with Russell Thomas, soprano Brandie Sutton and baritone Justin Austin about their journeys into and through music, and how they are approaching this repertory of powerful musical works. "After Hours: Songs of Protest" will be available to stream on LA Opera's website, www.laopera.org, beginning on Friday, June 11 at 5pm PST.

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