Podcast
LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain
Hosted by LA Opera · EN
Created in 1986 by a team of visionaries, LA Opera has become a leader in artistic innovation, while honoring the great historical legacy of opera. Through the powerful art form of opera, we celebrate the diversity and pioneering spirit of our great city.
49episodes
Episodes
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"Stravinsky And Cocteau's Oedipus Rex" With Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano And Dr. Ariane Helou
Jun 1, 2021Tap to summarizeIn this Behind the Curtain conversation, musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown Montesano and Dr. Arianne Helou, a dramaturg and French studies scholar, discuss "Oedipus Rex," composed by Igor Stravinsky to a libretto by Jean Cocteau based on the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles. The 1927 opera is a highly stylized, ritualistic work set in the time of plague. On Sunday, June 6, 2021, LA Opera will present "Oedipus Rex" at our home in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. With a limited audience and safety protocols observed, it will be our first public, indoor performance since March 2020. Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon conducts a stellar cast led by tenor Russell Thomas, LA Opera's Artist in Residence, as Oedipus, the doomed king. Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges returns as Jocasta, his queen (and mother). Legendary actor Stephen Fry will make his LA Opera debut (via audio recording) as the Narrator in this equally-legendary tale. A special online version of "Oedipus Rex" will be released on June 17 for home viewing. Please check our website at www.LAOpera.org for more information.
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Bass Morris Robinson in Conversation with LA Opera's Christopher Koelsch
Feb 16, 2021Tap to summarizeBass Morris Robinson is considered one of the most compelling and sought-after performers in opera today. He regularly appears at the Metropolitan Opera, where he is a graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. He made his LA Opera debut in 2009 with The Magic Flute and has appeared subsequently in numerous thrilling roles. LA Opera audiences love him - especially our teen audiences. Mr. Robinson regularly meets with students and has been one of the greatest ambassadors in welcoming young people into the opera house. In this conversation, recorded immediately before the final dress rehearsal of Rigoletto in 2018, Mr. Robinson chats with LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch and an audience of several hundred local students.
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Women Leading the Way In Opera - A Post-Performance Conversation
Aug 18, 2020Tap to summarizeThis conversation was recorded in front of a live audience following the February 8, 2020 performance of Eurydice, by Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl, and was part of the County-wide Eurydice Found festival. It features singers Danielle de Niese, Raehann Bryce-Davis and producer Beth Morrison being interviewed by musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano.
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Style and Status: Dr. Mitchell Morris on Music’s Social Roles in "The Magic Flute"
Dec 3, 2019Tap to summarizeWhat is an opera seria character doing in a fairy tale opera? How does Mozart’s use of musical form demonstrate how we are supposed understand the characters? Dr. Mitchell Morris, UCLA Professor of Musicology, answers these questions and more, cracking open our understanding of "The Magic Flute" through a detailed discussion of the composer's use of music and poetic forms. Recorded live at LA Opera Connects' Opera for Educators class on "The Magic Flute" (Saturday, October 26, 2019).
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All About The Magic Flute: A Pre-Performance Talk with James Conlon
Nov 20, 2019Tap to summarizeLA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Magic Flute" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on November 16, 2019.
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"The Magic Flute" Scene-By-Scene by Frederick Ballentine
Nov 11, 2019Tap to summarizeFrederick Ballentine, who plays the role of Monostatos in LA Opera’s production of “The Magic Flute," takes us through a scene-by-scene telling of the story. Follow along as Mozart’s dazzling celebration of love conquering all transports you into an enchanted world where good battles the forces of darkness. More information on LA Opera’s production can be found here: https://www.laopera.org/performances/201920-season/the-magic-flute/
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Making Opera Magical: Grant Gershon and Brian Lauritzen on The Magic Flute
Nov 5, 2019Tap to summarizeListen in as LA Opera’s Resident Conductor Grant Gershon and Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen talk about Gershon’s history with LA Opera, his journey of becoming a conductor and upcoming performances of LA Opera’s production of "The Magic Flute". Gershon cracks open his experience with the challenges and excitement behind performing with animated scenes and characters, as well as the themes and entertainment value in this fantastical production. For more information on "The Magic Flute", visit LA Opera's website: www.LAOpera.org.
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Pre-Show Talk: The Magic Flute
May 26, 2017Tap to summarizeIn this pre-show talk, James Conlon discusses "The Magic Flute."
Transcribe →Behind the Curtain: Ben Bliss
Feb 23, 2016Tap to summarizeHost Brian Lauritzen talks to Ben Bliss, who stars as Tamino in "The Magic Flute."
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