Behind The La Opera Curtain

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this episode, join Maestro Conlon as he explores class struggle and the battle of the sexes that plays out in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Visit LA Opera's podcast page for more related content: https://bit.ly/2YAUlpZ

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this second episode of the series, Conlon continues his exploration and comparison of Rossini and Paisiello's different settings of The Barber of Seville. Visit LA Opera's podcast page for more related content: https://bit.ly/2VKSrkZ

Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, his beloved character Figaro, and the renowned operas that sprang from his plays (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother). In this first episode of the series, Conlon begins his exploration by taking us on a journey into Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville. Visit LA Opera's podcast page for more related content: https://bit.ly/2RWcfiY

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, considers the important aspects of how music and opera enhance our very being – especially in difficult times. Join him from his home, as he explores how operatic selections from Verdi, Mozart, Wagner and more, can inspire, heal, console, distract and entertain. www.LAOpera.org/podcasts

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the connections between composers Claude Debussy and Richard Wagner, and their operas "Pelléas & Mélisande" and "Tristan and Isolde," respectively. Join him from his home, as he delves into the music and universal mythological themes of these important composers' work. (Part Two of a two-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, explores the connections between composers Claude Debussy and Richard Wagner, and their operas "Pelléas & Mélisande" and "Tristan and Isolde," respectively. Join him from his home, as he delves into the music and universal mythological themes of these important composers' work. (Part One of a two-part series.)

As part of LA Opera Connects' Opera for Educators day on March 21, we focused on inspiring research and creative methods for teachers and parents to share opera with children. Dr. Beatriz Ilari Associate Professor for Music Teaching and Learning at USC, discussed music and early child development research, and ideas that you can easily implement at home. Follow along with Dr. Ilari's PowerPoint from the session here: https://bit.ly/33GBg6v Over the next several months, LA Opera will continue to share resources, free lesson plans and strategies on our website: www.LAOpera.org LA Opera’s Professional Development for Teachers is made possible in part by a grant from the Zolla Family Foundation, in memory of Edward M. Zolla.

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part Three of a three-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part Two of a three-part series.)

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon, delves deeply into Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande" - one of his desert island favorites. Join him as he delves into the gorgeous music and mystery of this beloved work. (Part One of a three-part series.)

In this special Spanish language edition of Behind the Curtain, world-renowned tenor Ramón Vargas joins LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Gabriela Flores for a lively conversation about his career, his artistry, and developing the human elements of the characters he portrays on the stage.

Opera scholar and enthusiast Duff Murphy discusses the inspiration behind Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Roberto Devereux, as well as Queen Elizabeth I’s role as a romanticized historical figure, in his pre-performance talk on February 22, 2020. More information on LA Opera's production of Roberto Devereux: www.LAOpera.org/Devereux

Dana Gioia, former poet laureate of California, explores the life and struggles of Gaetano Donizetti, composer of LA Opera's upcoming production of "Roberto Devereux". The so-called “underrated” composer produced almost 70 operas before he died at the age of 50. In his short life, Donizetti changed the future of opera by defining the bel canto style and the role of the diva. For more information on LA Opera's Roberto Devereux visit: https://www.laopera.org/devereux

Composer of Eurydice, Matthew Aucoin, takes us on a creative journey behind the musical themes of his newest opera. Recorded live on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Shortly before the final dress rehearsal for "Eurydice" on January 29, 2020, scenic designer Daniel Ostling and costume designer Ana Kuzmanić sat down for a conversation with LA Opera Connects Vice President Stacy Brightman and an audience of excited students and teachers.

LA Opera's Artist in Residence and composer Matthew Aucoin and playwright Sarah Ruhl speak on their opera "Eurydice" with LA Opera's Joshua Winograde (Senior Director of Artistic Programs) during the pre-show talk prior to the opera's world premiere on February 1, 2020. More information on Eurydice: https://www.laopera.org/performances/201920-season/eurydice/

How do you give birth to an opera? This conversation between the creators of the world-premiere opera Eurydice - Matthew Aucoin (composer) and Sarah Ruhl (librettist) - reveals the process, the inspirations and the hurdles. Soprano Danielle de Niese, who is originating the role of Eurydice, joins the conversation along with LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. Eurydice makes is premiere at LA Opera on Saturday, February 1, 2020. More information: www.LAOpera.org/Eurydice

In anticipation of the world premiere of "Eurydice", Mary Louise Hart, Associate Curator of Antiquities for the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Villa, together with Brian Lauritzen, discusses ancient theatre, myth and how the story of Orpheus and Eurydice continues to fascinate us, in a conversation recorded earlier this fall. More information about "Eurydice": www.laopera.org/eurydice

Listen in on this intimate and in-depth conversation between President and CEO Christopher Koelsch and Grammy-nominated baritone - and LA Opera's own - Rod Gilfry about his 34 year performance career. They discuss his diverse pallet of roles and musical styles, his deep history with LA Opera, as well as his role in Matthew Aucoin’s new opera "Eurydice", premiering at LA Opera on February 1, 2020. More information about "Eurydice": https://www.laopera.org/eurydice

What 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).