Behind The La Opera Curtain

LA Opera Connects' annual Community Opera invites hundreds of performers to join LA Opera professionals on stage, no experience necessary. After weeks of rehearsals with Connects teaching artists, performers share that they feel more confident, a sense of belonging, and excited to perform again. Listen in as Dr. Nita Baxani, Chair of Early Childhood Music at the Colburn School, interviews composer and librettist of this year's Community Opera Carla Lucero, and assistant conductor Mercedes Juan Musotto on their experiences with communal music-making and their role in breaking down barriers to opera. Come see The Three Women of Jerusalem, playing March 14 and 15. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org/CommunityOpera.

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot, and, of course, the music of Mozart's Così fan tutte. Don't miss this razor-sharp comedy playing March 8-30. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Jonathan Lacayo, LA Opera Connects teaching artist shares the synopsis for Cosi fan tutte, with annotated musical notes from musicologist, Dr. Tiffany Kuo. Playing March 8-30, tickets are available now at LA Opera.org

In this episode, an installment of our Music and Wellness series, Arts and Healing Initiative Founder and Director, Ping Ho shares the power of music in helping you to free your voice, reduce stress, and heal through drumming and thought exercises she uses in her everyday practice. Learn more about how LA Opera Connects is exploring the connections between music, wellness, and recovery at LAOpera.org/ArtsandHealth and be sure to save the date for our Arts and Health Week Summit on June 13, 2025.

From the embroidery on a single gown, to the hair in every wig, LA Opera's costume shop creates gorgeous looks and magical moments with every show. Go Behind the Curtain with LA Opera Costume Director Jeannique Prospere as she sits down with Xochi Hernandez to discuss how her team spends months sourcing materials and putting each look together by hand. Experience the magic LA Opera's costume shop creates during Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

Pablo Larrain's biopic, Maria, featuring Angelina Jolie as the illustrious Maria Callas has the opera world abuzz. Listen in as long-time LA Opera chorus member and vocal coach to Angelina Jolie for the film, Lori Stinson, sits down with Chorus Director Jeremy Frank to discuss her process in preparing Jolie for the role. 351105

In this special episode of Behind the Curtain, join LA Opera staff and affiliated scholars as they share their favorite songs and recordings to listen to during the holidays.

Kathleen O'Mara didn't expect to win Operalia when she travelled to Mumbai for the renowned competition, but since winning first place, she's been offered roles around the world. Listen in as she discusses her journey to the competition, her experience as a member of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, and her upcoming roles with Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Paul Hopper.

In this episode, Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with conductor Domingo Hindoyan to discuss his musical background and how he brings his artistic passion for creativity and emotional expression to Romeo and Juliet. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode LA Opera Chorus Director, Jeremy Frank, provides additional context for Romeo and Juliet by diving deep into the music of Gounod and the history of French opera. This lecture was recorded as part of LA Opera Connects, professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this pre-recorded, pre-performance lecture, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano guides you through Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, the plot, the history, and of course the music. Tickets to Romeo and Juliet are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this pre-recorded lecture (recorded Sunday, October 20, 2024), courtesy of the Opera League of Los Angeles and Hispanics for LA Opera, hear from film archivist Alejandra Espasande about the history of Spanish language film in Los Angeles and the making of Spanish Dracula. Then get a sneak peek of the music you'll hear from conductor Lina González-Granados. Playing October 25-27, tickets for Spanish Dracula are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, music critic Gerardo Kleinburg sits down with two-time Oscar winning composer, instrumentalist, and producer Gustavo Santaolalla; discussing his approach to creativity and the process of scoring the rediscovered classic, Spanish Dracula. Don't miss Gustavo's brand-new score, conducted by Lina González-Granados. Playing October 25-27, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org. Learn more about GRoW @ Annenberg at growannenberg.org.

In this episode, Vinicius Costa, member of the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program shares the synopsis for Romeo and Juliet, with annotated musical notes from musicologist, Dr. Tiffany Kuo. Playing November 2 - 23, tickets are available now at LA Opera.org

In this episode, a part of our Music and Wellness series, music therapist Stacie Aamon Yeldell shares her perspective on the power of the voice, and guides us through a musical grounding exercise. Learn more about how LA Opera Connects is exploring the connections between music, wellness, and recovery at LAOpera.org/ArtsandHealth and be sure to save the date for our Arts and Health Week Summit on June 13, 2025.

In this episode Dr. Rebecca Corbett, USC's Director of Special Projects and Japanese Studies Librarian in the East Asian Library provides additional context for Madame Butterfly, through her research on Japanese tea practices. This conversation was recorded as part of Connects' professional development series, Opera for Educators.

In this episode, Executive Director of the Asian Opera Alliance, Melody Chang sits down with Madame Butterfly cast members, Rodel Rosel and Yuntong Han discussing their experiences in Madame Butterfly, how their identities influence their performances, and the work being done by LA Opera in collaboration with AOA to mitigate potential harm. Tickets to Madame Butterfly are on sale now.

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano provides additional context for Madame Butterfly in this pre-recorded lecture a part of Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Tickets for Madame Butterfly are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot and, of course, the music of Madame Butterfly by Puccini. Don't miss this unforgettable masterpiece, tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, musicologist, Dr. Tiffany Kuo shares an annotated listening guide and synopsis for Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Playing September 21 - October 13, tickets are available now at LA Opera.org