LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Latest Episodes:

Behind the Curtain: Opera Superstar Susan Graham with Brian Lauritzen Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Opera superstar Susan Graham and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen discuss her role as LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist program's Artistic Adviser, as well as her own experiences as a young artist and some key moments from the beginning of her career.

From the Vaults: Dana Gioia on Walt Whitman and Opera Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

In May 2018, internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and current poet laureate of California, Dana Gioia, discussed one of his heroes, Walt Whitman, Whitman's great love of opera, and how that influenced his work.

Behind the Curtain: Brian Lauritzen Showcases Opera Camp Jul 24, 2018

Show notes

Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen has a conversation about LA Opera's youth Opera Camp with composer/director Eli Villanueva; the Autry Museum's Director of Education and Visitor Engagement, Erik Greenburg; and LA Opera's Vice President for Education and Community Engagement, Stacy Brightman.

From the Vaults: James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on "Candide" Jul 10, 2018

Show notes

This week in July 1966, "Candide" had its North American premiere in Los Angeles with the Center Theatre Group on campus at UCLA. In this "From the Vault" episode, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon gives his pre-show talk on Bernstein's "Candide" prior to the January 27, 2018 performance.

From the Vaults: Duff Murphy’s Pre-Performance Talk on "Pearl Fishers" Jun 26, 2018

Show notes

Duff Murphy of Classical KUSC gives his pre-show talk on Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" prior to the October 7, 2017 performance.

From the Vaults: James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on "Carmen" Jun 12, 2018

Show notes

James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, gives his pre-pre-show talk on Bizet's "Carmen" prior to the September 14, 2017 performance.

Behind the Curtain: Mark Lamos on "Rigoletto" May 29, 2018

Show notes

Mark Lamos, director of plays, musicals and opera, including LA Opera’s current production of “Rigoletto,” has a conversation with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen.

Behind the Curtain: Matthew Aucoin on "Crossing" May 22, 2018

Show notes

Matthew Aucoin (LA Opera's Artist In Residence) discusses his own composition, “Crossing”, with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen. Inspired by poet Walt Whitman’s experiences tending to wounded soldiers during the Civil War, “Crossing” explores the connections that come between us and pull us apart. Performances of this LA Opera Off Grand production take place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26, both at 8:00pm.

Introduction to Rigoletto May 16, 2018

Show notes

An introduction to the plot, characters and music of "Rigoletto" at LA Opera.

Behind the Curtain: Matthew Aucoin's "Rigoletto" Pre-Show Talk May 15, 2018

Show notes

LA Opera Resident Artist Matthew Aucoin gives his pre-show talk on "Rigoletto" opening night (May 12, 2018).