Opera Box Score

Latest Episodes:

The Infallible Doug Dodson! Mar 06, 2019

Show notes

The OBS goofballs reach into their ‘Listener Mailbag’ and pull out Doug Dodson! That’s right, you'll hear the creator of the Dodson Scale™ himself talk about the importance of diversity in opera, and why he thinks Wagner doesn’t count... In 'Chalk Talk', it's all about acting. How can you change your theatrical presence onstage to mirror the music? Kathleen Turner has some opinions, as do the guys... Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill’, robots take over Operaland... operaboxscore.com/thisweeksshow @operaboxscore

The Met Rallies on the Dodson Scale™! Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

It’s a ‘Chalk Talk’ double header, as George, Oliver and Tobias take a look at the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-2020 season and run it through the Dodson Scale™. Find out if the Met can set a new high score... Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill’, there's harsh words in Berlin, and last words as three opera greats exit Stage Right... operaboxscore.com/thisweeksshow @operaboxscore

Jordan Rutter and Shirley Verrett! Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

The guys go ‘Inside the Huddle’ with countertenor Jordan Rutter, who’s currently performing in Chicago Opera Theater’s new production of “The Scarlet Ibis”. What's it feel like for a singer from Florida to perform in the middle of a brutal Chicago winter...? Matt has a brand new member to induct into the hallowed corridors of the OBS 'Hall of Fame' in honor of Black History Month. Find out who needs to start working that acceptance speech... In the ‘Two Minute Drill’, take a peek at some of the rejected plans for the Sydney Opera House... operaboxscore.com/thisweeksshow @operaboxscore

Witches, B*tches, and Divas! Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

The boys go ‘Inside the Huddle’ with soprano Christina Pecce to talk about her new one-woman show “Witches, Bitches, and Divas!”... In ‘Chalk Talk’, the team wonders if opera needs to hang onto the traditional system of gendered vocal classification in the twenty-first century... And in the ‘Two Minute Drill’, you'll hear about Grammy winners and conductor losers... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

Bass Adrian Sâmpetrean! Feb 06, 2019

Show notes

Oliver goes ‘Inside the Huddle’ with bass Adrian Sâmpetrean, talking about what it takes to be a Romanian singer performing around the world, and what happens when you try to sing outside your comfort zone... But first, in ‘Chalk Talk’, recent articles arguing about English National Opera’s practice of translating their productions into English makes the OBS guys weigh in on that age-old argument in the opera world: "To translate, or not to translate...?" In the ‘Two Minute Drill’, find out why it's not a great idea to host a gamers convention in your opera house... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

Out of the closet and Onto the podium! Jan 30, 2019

Show notes

The OBS crew go ‘Inside the Huddle’ with Alexandra Enyart. An orchestra and opera conductor, Alex serves as Music Director for Thompson Street Opera Company where she chartered “Faulty Systems”, an annual program in which activists and artists come together to present on underrepresented communities or ideas through music, speech, poetry, dance and other mediums... But first, San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago have announced their 2019-2020 seasons. The team reads between the lines about what’s to look forward to and what might be missing from each company’s list... In the ‘Two Minute Drill’, hear about the new diversity initiative at English National Opera... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

Alexa, play opera song! Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

The guys go ‘Inside the Huddle’ with soprano Elena Villalón who placed first in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions Central region last weekend... Last Friday Chicago Opera Theater announced that General Director Douglas R. Clayton was stepping down from his leadership position with the company. In ‘Hometown Team’, the boys throw around some ideas on what’s behind this move... Then, they ‘Crunch the Numbers’: recent stats from the British Phonographic Institute reveal a rise in streams of classical tracks that is outpacing the rest of the sector... and in the ‘Two Minute Drill', you'll find out what was stolen from an opera house last week... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

Stage Director Greg Eldridge! Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

George goes 'Inside the Huddle’ with Australian director Greg Eldridge. Greg was the youngest director ever to join the Young Artist programme at the Royal Opera House, London, where he recently directed Verdi’s “La Traviata”... Tobias opens up the Listener Mailbag and gets a letter all to himself... In the ‘Two Minute Drill’, the Disabled List is overflowing... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

High Notes of 2018! Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

In a ‘Chalk Talk’ double header, George, Oliver and Weston look back at the opera highlights of 2018, from live performances and seminal recordings to major news stories and just plain ol' clickbait. And they share what they're looking forward to in opera this coming year… In the ‘Two Minute Drill’, there's deception, drag queens and Dungeons & Dragons... www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1/ @operaboxscore

Happy NYE from the OBS! Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

NYE wishes from OBS host George Cederquist with a preview of 2019's first show on January 7... @operaboxscore www.facebook.com/OBSCHI1