LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

"Expanding the Operatic Canon and Reframing How We Consider its History Part 1" with Dr. Tiffany Kuo May 18, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Dr. Tiffany Kuo, Professor of Music at Mount San Antonio College and Colburn Conservatory of Music, analyzes the importance of patronage in opera and the arts as she examines "Perle Noire: Meditations for Joséphine" by composer Tyshawn Sorey, whose digital short "DEATH" is currently streaming at laopera.org/death Tiffany Kuo’s discussion of "Perle Noire", a staged-song cycle conceived by Peter Sellars and sung by soprano Julia Bullock, helps us to explore and expand how we conceive of the operatic canon. This discussion was recorded in May 2021 as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Learn more about Opera for Educators at laopera.org/community.

"Don Giovanni: Not PG-13" with Dr. Susan McClary May 11, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Susan McClary discusses the ways in which the perception of Mozart’s works as “safe,” or otherwise perfect, affects our understanding of the deeper meanings and sense of beauty of his works, with a focus on Don Giovanni. This discussion was recorded as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators, in February 2021. Dr. McClary is a professor of music and head of musicology at Case Western Reserve University. This podcast addresses mature topics, and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Opera Happy Hour: Opera Dance Party May 04, 2021

Show notes

Jeremy Frank, LA Opera's Associate Chorus Master is 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. Put on your dancing shoes and get your cocktail shakers ready.⁣ In this episode, Jeremy's headed to the dance floor to explore dance and opera in The Marriage of Figaro, Salome, Aida and Orpheus and Eurydice.

James Conlon on Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

As part of LA Opera's On Now digital offerings, we are thrilled to be sharing an audio performance of "Billy Budd" beginning Tuesday, April 27th at 5:00 p.m. PT. on LA Opera's website, Facebook and YouTube (links below). "Billy Budd" was composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by English novelist E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier, based on the short novel "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville. LA Opera's production, from February and March 2014, was conducted by James Conlon with Stage Direction by Francesca Zambello. In anticipation of the audio presentation, we are delighted to share, from the vaults, Mo. Conlon's pre-performance talk on this opera and composer he adores. LA Opera website: https://www.laopera.org/discover/la-opera-on-now/la-opera-on-now-all-events/from-the-vault-billy-budd-audio-stream/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAOpera YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/laopera

Opera Happy Hour: Verismo Opera and Reality TV Apr 20, 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. Are you a fan of reality TV? Well, believe it or not, opera has its own style of this truth-like entertainment, called "Verismo". In this episode, Jeremy walks us through one of the best-known and well-loved examples of Verismo opera - "Pagliacci" (the one with that famous sad clown).

Opera Happy Hour: Opera In America Apr 13, 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 that originally aired in January 2021, Jeremy explores opera in America through the works of three contemporary composers – André Previn, Philip Glass, and Anthony Davis.

Opera Happy Hour: Bel Canto and the Original Golden Age Apr 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 episode that originally aired in November 2020, Jeremy breaks down one of the most beloved subgenres of opera: bel canto.

A Contemplation on the Musical Traditions of Easter with James Conlon Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

In this special edition of Behind the Curtain, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon contemplates some of the rich musical works, oratorios, opera and stage festival plays, that have been associated with Easter traditions and celebrations. Works featured include: Messiah by George Frideric Handel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r68P8TBWiIQ St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach https://youtu.be/28bIf-OzKVE Anne Sofie von Otter - "Erbarme dich, mein Gott": https://youtu.be/r2C8TvF3dJk Easter Oratorio. BWV 249 by Johann Sebastian Bach https://youtu.be/xUKc_-x6v0M Stabat Mater by Antonín Dvořák https://youtu.be/MTPxgiAtTp0 https://youtu.be/BaKhp6voYdw Stabat Mater, Op. 53 by Karol Szymanowski https://youtu.be/soC2WFYgWH0 Quattro pezzi sacri: Stabat mater by Giuseppe Verdi https://youtu.be/HU9rqXpYWJk Christus by Franz Liszt https://youtu.be/PteHCN8_fHk Parsifal - Act Three - Karfreitag (Good Friday) Excerpt by Richard Wagner https://youtu.be/z-vcbbRREUgKarfreitagrauber

Children’s Musical Experiences in the Pandemic: Lessons for the Future with Dr. Beatriz Ilari Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Beatriz Ilari is Associate Professor of Music Education and Chair of the Department of Music Teaching and Learning at the University of Southern California. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, she has conducted extensive research with infants and children to examine the intersections between music, child development, cognition, and culture. In this talk, recorded on March 20 as a part of LA Opera Connects' Opera for Educators series, she discusses the latest research into children's musical experiences during the pandemic and what lessons may we glean for the future. More about Dr. Ilari: https://www.LAOpera.org/community/affiliated-scholars/beatriz-ilari/ More about Opera for Educators: https://www.LAOpera.org/OperaForEducators

A Conversation with the Creative Team of Breaking the Waves Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In conjunction with LA Opera's presentation of Breaking the Waves (a co-commission with Opera Philadelphia and Beth Morrison Projects), we are pleased to offer this conversation between LA Opera's Senior Director of Artistic Programs Joshua Winograde and the creative team behind the opera: creative producer Beth Morrison, composer Missy Mazzoli, and librettist Royce Vavrek. This conversation was recorded in February 2021. Presented digitally through the LA Opera On Now initiative, this compelling adaptation of Lars Von Trierʼs 1996 cinematic masterpiece reaches audiences through an incredibly emotional filmed performance. Winner of the 2017 award for “Best New Opera” by the Music Critics Association of North America, groundbreaking composer Missy Mazzoli's first large-scale opera is already recognized as one of the most powerful music-theater pieces of our time. Reserve your free access to watch from now until April 12 on LA Opera website here: https://www.laopera.org/performances/upcoming-digital-performances/breaking-the-waves-3/

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