Tosh Show Episode Summary: "My Opera Singer - Danielle Bond"

Host: Daniel Tosh
Guest: Danielle Bond, Mezzo Soprano Opera Singer
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Duration: Approximately 47 minutes

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Daniel Tosh humorously addressing the absence of his regular co-host, Eddie Gosling, who is in Florida visiting his father in the hospital. Tosh lightheartedly jabs at Eddie, setting a playful tone for the episode. He invites listeners to dive into the main content, teasing the absence of Eddie by encouraging witty banter about him.

2. Understanding the Mezzo Soprano Voice Type

Timestamp: [11:02]

Daniel Tosh welcomes Danielle Bond, a professional mezzo soprano, and begins the discussion by seeking to clarify her vocal classification.

Danielle Bond:
"It's basically a mezzo is kind of between the high soprano and then the lower range of the voice of an alto. It is not the most prestigious, but it is the cooler of all the voice types. Like, you get to be the witch, the bitch, and the pants, basically. So you get to be like more of a fun, dark-colored voice."
([11:06])

Key Insights:

• Mezzo Soprano Definition: Positioned between soprano and alto, mezzo sopranos often portray more complex and darker characters in operas.
• Voice Type Prestige: While not deemed the most prestigious, mezzo sopranos enjoy versatility in roles, allowing for dynamic and multifaceted performances.

3. Danielle's Journey into Opera

Timestamp: [16:19]

Daniel Tosh probes Danielle about her path into the world of opera, exploring her educational background and initial motivations.

Danielle Bond:
"I was a music theater kid, and I always wanted to sing. My family, they do not really love music. My mom, like, actively did not like music for a very long time, and now she's, like, really trying."
([16:19])

Host's Follow-up:
"So they wouldn't play music in the house and stuff like that."
([16:20])

Danielle Continues:
"My mom would play Julio Iglesias, and that's it. I would be practicing on the piano."
([16:42])

Educational Path:
Danielle attended Indiana University before transferring to Arizona State University (ASU) to major in Vocal Performance. Her final performance at ASU was in "The Coronation of Poppaea," marking her deep dive into classical opera intertwined with music theater.

4. Opera vs. Musical Theater

Timestamp: [21:38]

The conversation delves into the distinctions between opera and musical theater, highlighting the unique aspects of each art form.

Danielle Bond:
"Opera technically is a story that is fully sung... it has something to do with the vocal mechanism and the production of it, where you really have a certain way that you are projecting your voice and utilizing your voice that can be carried over an audience."
([33:16])

Key Differences Discussed:

• Performance Style: Operas are entirely sung performances, emphasizing vocal technique and projection without spoken dialogue, whereas musical theater incorporates both singing and spoken lines.
• Orchestration: True operas always use a live orchestra, maintaining acoustic fidelity, unlike some musical theaters that might incorporate microphones to accommodate mixed acoustics.
• Narrative Depth: Operas often explore profound and intense emotional narratives, while musical theater can range from light-hearted to dramatic.

5. The Opera Industry: Challenges and Insights

Timestamp: [31:42]

Danielle sheds light on the financial and logistical aspects of the opera industry, particularly in the United States.

Danielle Bond:
"Opera isn't like, you know, the most highly attended thing, you need to get as many people into the seats as possible. In this country, yeah. If you go to other countries, like in Germany, they have pretty much every major city has an opera house and they have full-time people at each of those houses. But America, like you get contracted per performance, per production, I should say. And then all of the musicians too."
([32:12])

Key Points:

• Economic Viability: Operas in the U.S. face challenges due to lower attendance compared to European counterparts, making financial sustainability difficult.
• Production Costs: High costs associated with staging operas limit the number of performances and productions that can be sustained annually.
• Employment Structure: Unlike Europe, where opera singers often hold full-time positions with regular performances, American opera singers are typically contracted per production, leading to job instability.

6. Techniques and Training for Opera Singers

Timestamp: [26:27]

The discussion transitions to the rigorous training and vocal techniques required for opera singing.

Danielle Bond:
"When I start warming up, I actually do... more like this: tell a dramatic story with your mouth closed like a blowfish. So it just gets you into a better resonating placement and it drops your larynx down. So it's really healthy for your voice."
([26:33])

Vocal Health Practices:

• Resonance Placement: Techniques to optimize voice projection without strain.
• Breath Control: Emphasizing the release of air rather than holding breath, crucial for sustaining notes.
• Vocal Exercises: Incorporating storytelling and controlled breathing to enhance pitch range and vocal flexibility.

7. Notable Performances and Future Plans

Timestamp: [30:04]

Danielle shares experiences from her international performances and outlines her aspirations within the opera world.

Danielle Bond:
"My favorite outdoor venue that I've performed at is Schloss Braunfels, a castle in Germany in the Rhine area. The Count and the Countess still live there, and they had us to dinner. They were super obsessed with dentists. It was very funny. They kept asking about our dentists. They were crazy and wonderful."
([30:06])

Future Endeavors:

• Upcoming Performances: Danielle is set to perform in "Ina de Mar" at LA Opera, a Spanish-language production she is particularly excited about.
• Creative Aspirations: She expresses interest in composing her own opera, aiming to collaborate with modern composers to create relevant and engaging works for contemporary audiences.

8. Personal Anecdotes and Life Outside Opera

Timestamp: [38:43]

The conversation takes a personal turn as Danielle discusses her recent house-buying experience and community interactions.

Danielle Bond:
"I'm just being a little lazy right now. That's fine. I got a lot to do."
([39:28])

Key Stories:

• House Projects: Danielle is currently engaged in extensive home renovations, including electrical work to ensure safety.
• Neighborhood Music: She humorously recounts living next to a mariachi band that rehearses every Friday night, finding joy in the free concerts despite their amateur status.
• Community Engagement: Danielle shares touching moments, such as singing “Ave Maria” at a neighbor's wake, highlighting the profound connections music facilitates in her personal life.

9. Opera Myths and Fun Facts

Timestamp: [43:02]

Danielle dispels common myths about opera and shares intriguing facts about vocal abilities.

Danielle Bond:
"It's more fun, like, you know, if you don't need to know them, make them your own."
([25:14])

Myth-Busting:

• Shattering Glass: While often dramatized, the human voice alone typically cannot shatter glass; it's more feasible with physical force.
• Castrati Boys: Danielle clarifies historical practices, noting that modern operas occasionally include children's choruses but do not employ castrati.

Vocal Fun Facts:

• Languages in Opera: Danielle has a preference for singing in French and Russian, appreciating the melodious qualities of these languages.
• Vibrato Usage: She explains the importance of vibrato in opera, enhancing the emotional expression and resonance of performances.

10. Conclusion and Upcoming Performances

As the episode winds down, Danielle provides details about her next performance and wraps up her segment on the show.

Timestamp: [47:02]

Danielle Bond:
"I'm gonna be in Ina de Mar at LA Opera. It's in Spanish, so that's fine. It's fun. And it's gorgeous. It's one of my favorite operas, and so I'm very pumped about it."
([47:09])

Closing Remarks: Daniel Tosh thanks Danielle for her insightful and entertaining discussion, encouraging listeners to attend her upcoming performance in April. The episode concludes on a light-hearted note, maintaining the show's characteristic humor while celebrating Danielle's artistry in opera.

Notable Quotes

• Mezzo Soprano Roles:
  "You get to be the witch, the bitch, and the pants, basically."
  ([11:37])

• Opera Nightmares:
  "I know, no, no canoodling with Putin. But, my God, Russian music is so gorgeous."
  ([23:58])

• Personal Transformation through Opera:
  "Self Love made me a better dad because I realized my worth. Never stop being a dad."
  ([50:16])

• Vocal Techniques:
  "It's really healthy for your voice."
  ([26:33])

• Opera as a Visionary Artform:
  "My favorite thing about singing in German is, like, when you're holding a really long note... you just put the consonant on the end and you're like, I just sing super long."
  ([25:26])

Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Tosh Show, Danielle Bond offers listeners an in-depth look into the world of opera from a mezzo soprano's perspective. From the technical aspects of vocal performance to personal stories of living among music enthusiasts, Danielle's insights illuminate the passion and dedication required in the operatic art form. Daniel Tosh's engaging and comedic interviewing style complements Danielle's expertise, making for an informative and entertaining episode that appeals to both opera aficionados and casual listeners alike.