LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

Behind the Curtain: Dr Mitchell Morris - The Romantic Disease Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

The scene is set for a romantic tale, complete with candlelight, music and...coughing? Musicologist and author, Dr. Mitchell Morris, discusses the way composer Giuseppe Verdi and his audiences would have thought about tuberculosis and how those ideas manifest in La Traviata.

Behind The Curtain: Gerardo Kleinburg discusses "La Traviata" Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

Gerardo Kleinburg, former director of the National Opera of Mexico and renowned music critic, discusses the life of Giuseppe Verdi, his affinity for the work of William Shakespeare, and how the boldness of La Traviata transformed opera. LA Opera would like to thank the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) and Descarga Cultura UNAM.

Behind the Curtain: James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on "La Traviata" Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

Music Director, James Conlon, explores the two main themes of La Traviata during LA Opera’s pre-performance lecture on June 1, 2019. Maestro Conlon goes in depth with La Traviata’s history, plot line, and musical themes.

"La Traviata" Scene-By-Scene with Peabody Southwell May 28, 2019

Show notes

Ms. Southwell, who plays the role of Flora in LA Opera’s production of “La Traviata,” takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. In it, we learn that high-flying Violetta, performed by Adela Zaharia, fills her nights with crazy parties and her days with rich admirers who reward her with anything she wants. Enter a nice man declaring his true love for her, Violetta must face a heart-breaking sacrifice, one that will surely doom her last chance at happiness.

Behind the Curtain: Artist-in-Residence Matthew Aucoin on "Eurydice" May 21, 2019

Show notes

Composer and 2018 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Matthew Aucoin takes us deep behind the scenes to describe the “birth” of his opera, Eurydice, which will premiere on February 1, 2020 at LA Opera. Matthew describes the work’s origins, his process and even shares a musical sneak peek.

El Reparto de "El Gato Montés": Una Charla Post-Show en Español May 16, 2019

Show notes

Ana María Martínez y Arturo Chacón-Cruz, quienes interpretan a Soleá y Rafael en nuestra producción de "El Gato Montés", se reúnen con el director musical Jordi Bernàcer para una charla post-show (en Español) facilitada por el crítico Gerardo Kleinburg el miércoles 8 de Mayo 2019. Ana María Martínez and Arturo Chacon-Cruz, who play Soleá and Raphael in our production of "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat", sit down with conductor Jordi Bernàcer for a special post- performance conversation (in Spanish) facilitated by critic Gerardo Kleinburg on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Conductor Jordi Bernàcer & Duff Murphy’s Pre-Show Talk on "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat" May 14, 2019

Show notes

Spanish conductor Jordi Bernàcer and opera super-fan Duff Murphy discuss Manuel Penella's "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat" during a pre-show conversation prior to LA Opera's performance on May 11, 2019. Want more info on LA Opera's production of "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat"? Visit our website: www.LAOpera.org

Gerardo Kleinburg's Pre-Performance Talk on "El Gato Montés" May 07, 2019

Show notes

Renown Mexican music critic Gerardo Kleinburg explores Manuel Penella's "El Gato Montés" ("The Wildcat") during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on May 3, 2019.

"El Gato Montés", escena por escena de Ana María Martínez May 02, 2019

Show notes

Ana María Martínez, quien interpreta el papel de Soleá en la producción de "El Gato Montés" de Los Ángeles, nos lleva a través de una descripción escena por escena de la ópera. Esta ópera presenta un triángulo amoroso, un torero, un bandido y una mujer hermosa (por supuesto). La ópera está llena de pasión, música preciosa y coreografía, y es considerada una de las mejores obras maestras del teatro lírico español. De hecho, esta producción que es nueva para Los Ángeles, viene directamente de Madrid y es interpretada en español.

"El Gato Montés" Scene-By-Scene by Ana María Martínez May 02, 2019

Show notes

Ana María Martínez, who plays the role of Soleá in LA Opera’s production of “El Gato Montés" (“The Wildcat”), takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. It has a love triangle, a bullfighter, a mountain dwelling bandit, and a beautiful woman (of course). The opera weaves a quintessentially Spanish tale with all the passion, beautiful music, and choreography you'd expect. Never heard of it? You're in for a treat because it's considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Spanish lyrical theater. More info on LA Opera's production: https://www.laopera.org/performances/season-2018-19/el-gato-montes-the-wildcat/