Behind The La Opera Curtain

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American opera—production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences, and more—through our artist and scholar community. How do you give birth to an opera? In this episode, recorded in 2020, the creators of the world-premiere opera Eurydice - Matthew Aucoin (composer) and Sarah Ruhl (librettist) - reveal their process, the inspirations and hurdles. Soprano Danielle de Niese, who originated the role of Eurydice, joins the conversation along with LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American opera - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences, and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode, Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong highlights and celebrates the work of five African-American composers from the first part of the 20th century. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American opera - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences, and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany Kuo discusses the intersectional qualities that can make American opera challenging to define, according to four musicians and two scholars who were asked to share their perspectives on a wide range of operas, from Scott Joplin's Treemonisha to Philip Glass' Einstein on the Beach and more. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org. Please be advised that some of the musical content in this episode may not be suitable for all audiences.

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American opera - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences, and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode, recorded in 2018, Opera producer Beth Morrison sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in a conversation covering what led Morrison to create her company, Beth Morrison Projects; how BMP and LA Opera formed their artistic partnership; and the relationship between new work and the standard opera repertoire.

In this new podcast series, we explore elements of American operas - production and reception histories, social contexts, historical valences and more - through our artist and scholar community. In this episode from May 2018 Dana Gioia, internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet, former California Poet laureate and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, discusses one of his heroes, Walt Whitman, and how Whitman's great love of opera influenced his life and work. To continue learning about American opera visit our Lesson Plans and Resources page at LAOpera.org/Connects.

In this podcast, Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera's Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO, chats with internationally acclaimed tenor and LA Opera Artist in Residence Russell Thomas about careers and access in opera as well as Mr. Thomas's journey to the operatic stage. Tickets to LA Opera's 22-23 season are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, listen as we explore the experiences of the future generations of opera-lovers. Moderators Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano and Xochitl Hernandez chat with LA Opera Connects' College Advisory Committee and Leadership Academy members Sakeenah Godfrey, JJ Abraham Flores, and Joseph-Nathaniel Cuenca. To apply for LA Opera Connects' College Advisory Committee, or for more information about our learning and community programming, please visit LAOpera.org/Community.

In this podcast recorded in 2019, Indre Viskontas, neuroscientist and operatic soprano, discusses the relationship between music and the brain. From June 12 to June 18, 2022, explore the intersection between arts and health through a series of events across LA County. For more information and a full schedule, please visit LAOpera.org/Wellness.

In this podcast, ​Andréa Fuentes, Director for LA Opera Connects, chats with opera singers and arts and health advocates Nani Sinha and Michele Patzakis. Join LA Opera Connects in celebrating LA County Arts and Health Week June 12-18, 2022. In collaboration with LA County Department of Arts and Culture and the WHO Healing Arts Initiative as well as multiple arts and health organizations around Los Angeles County, join us at several events during the week as well as at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 for an arts and health summit. For more information visit LAOpera.org/Wellness.

In this podcast, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano discusses Verdi's Aida; the music, the women and the drama. See LA Opera's Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from May 21 to June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, listen to James Conlon, Richard Seaver Music Director for LA Opera, in his pre-performance lecture for Verdi's Aida, showing now at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. See LA Opera's Aida from May 21 - June 12, 2022, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, Dr. Muriel McClendon hosts "History Vs. Opera", in which Dr. Tiffany Kuo and Dr. Kara Cooney analyze Verdi's depiction of Egypt in Aida and historical records of Egypt's Old Kingdom. This recording was made as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. LA Opera's Aida is playing from May 21 to June 12 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org. https://youtu.be/ZOVpQYGm3NM

In this podcast, Richard Seaver Music Director and conductor James Conlon shares his insight into the contexts and history of Aida, one of Verdi's great works. This recording was created as part of LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. See LA Opera's Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion between May 21 and June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast writer, music critic and cultural promoter, Gerardo Kleinburg, discusses "Aida: When Verdi (Almost) Said Good-bye". This recording was made as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. See Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from May 21 through June 12, 2022. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, renowned soprano Latonia Moore shares the synopsis for Verdi's Aida, an opera with some of the most famous music in the operatic canon. Showing May 21 - June 12, see Latonia Moore and Russell Thomas star as secret lovers from rival kingdoms in this timeless romance, directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by James Conlon, at LA Opera. Tickets are available now on our website, LAOpera.org.

In this podcast, LA Opera Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Koelsch and Aida Director Francesca Zambello discuss the challenges and joys of producing Verdi’s Aida for modern audiences. Come see LA Opera’s Aida from May 21 - June 12, 2022 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this podcast, LA Opera Connects director Andréa Fuentes interviews composer Nathan Wang, author and librettist Lisa See and director Jennifer Chang regarding On Gold Mountain, an opera based on Lisa See's book of the same title. See On Gold Mountain May 5-15, in the newly expanded Chinese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Tickets are available now, only at The Huntington's website; Huntington.org.

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. This recording was created in April of 2021.

In this podcast, composer Du Yun and creative producer Beth Morrison chat with musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo about the opera In Our Daughter’s Eyes, which is showing April 13, 14, 16, and 17, 2022 at REDCAT in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets to the world premiere of In Our Daughter’s Eyes are available now at laopera.org

Discover On Gold Mountain, the true story of Fong See, a pioneer of Los Angeles’ Chinatown who immigrated to the United States to find his fortune. Author and librettist Lisa See and composer Nathan Wang join Li Wei Yang, curator for the Pacific Rim Collections at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, soprano Shana Blake Hill, an original cast member of On Gold Mountain, and violinist Shelly Ren. This podcast was recorded on November 19, 2020. Come see On Gold Mountain May 5-15 in the newly-expanded Chinese gardens of The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. Tickets are available now at Huntington.org.