Behind The La Opera Curtain

Composer and 2018 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Matthew Aucoin takes us deep behind the scenes to describe the “birth” of his opera, Eurydice, which will premiere on February 1, 2020 at LA Opera. Matthew describes the work’s origins, his process and even shares a musical sneak peek.

Ana María Martínez y Arturo Chacón-Cruz, quienes interpretan a Soleá y Rafael en nuestra producción de "El Gato Montés", se reúnen con el director musical Jordi Bernàcer para una charla post-show (en Español) facilitada por el crítico Gerardo Kleinburg el miércoles 8 de Mayo 2019. Ana María Martínez and Arturo Chacon-Cruz, who play Soleá and Raphael in our production of "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat", sit down with conductor Jordi Bernàcer for a special post- performance conversation (in Spanish) facilitated by critic Gerardo Kleinburg on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Spanish conductor Jordi Bernàcer and opera super-fan Duff Murphy discuss Manuel Penella's "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat" during a pre-show conversation prior to LA Opera's performance on May 11, 2019. Want more info on LA Opera's production of "El Gato Montés: The Wildcat"? Visit our website: www.LAOpera.org

Renown Mexican music critic Gerardo Kleinburg explores Manuel Penella's "El Gato Montés" ("The Wildcat") during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on May 3, 2019.

Ana María Martínez, quien interpreta el papel de Soleá en la producción de "El Gato Montés" de Los Ángeles, nos lleva a través de una descripción escena por escena de la ópera. Esta ópera presenta un triángulo amoroso, un torero, un bandido y una mujer hermosa (por supuesto). La ópera está llena de pasión, música preciosa y coreografía, y es considerada una de las mejores obras maestras del teatro lírico español. De hecho, esta producción que es nueva para Los Ángeles, viene directamente de Madrid y es interpretada en español.

Ana María Martínez, who plays the role of Soleá in LA Opera’s production of “El Gato Montés" (“The Wildcat”), takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. It has a love triangle, a bullfighter, a mountain dwelling bandit, and a beautiful woman (of course). The opera weaves a quintessentially Spanish tale with all the passion, beautiful music, and choreography you'd expect. Never heard of it? You're in for a treat because it's considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Spanish lyrical theater. More info on LA Opera's production: https://www.laopera.org/performances/season-2018-19/el-gato-montes-the-wildcat/

Ever wanted to know how our Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artists became participants in this renowned program? Joshua Winograde, LA Opera’s Senior Director of Artistic Programs, sits down with two of these talented folks for this week's podcast: soprano Liv Redpath and baritone Michael Hawk. The trio discuss their artistic journeys, the incredible family support they both had and continue to have, the impact their time in the program has had on their artistry and careers, and their dream roles. More information on the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist program: https://www.laopera.org/company/yap/

For over two decades soprano Ana Maria Martinez has been featured on LA Opera’s stage. Back in the fall, when she was in Los Angeles for “Don Carlo”, Ana Maria and President & CEO Christopher Koelsch sat down for a chat in front of a live audience. Listen in as the two have an open and genuine conversation ranging from her thoughts about her thriving career, advice for young singers, the inspiration and influence her mother and her father gave her, and being the proud mom of a middle schooler.

Thanks to our friends at the Hammer Museum, we are able to share this fun and freewheeling conversation between composer, conductor, pianist, and writer Matthew Aucoin and comedy writer and performer Megan Amram. Best known for his operas, Aucoin is LA Opera’s first artist-in-residence and has been commissioned by the Company as well as the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and NPR's This American Life. Amram currently works on “The Good Place” and has written for the series “Transparent”, “Silicon Valley”, “Parks and Recreation”, and “The Simpsons”, as well as for publications such as the New Yorker and McSweeney’s. This event on March 21, 2019 was a co-presentation between the Hammer and LA Opera. Watch video of the conversation here: https://livestream.com/accounts/5045103/events/8520463/videos/189015021

Listen in as Vice President of Education and Community Engagement Stacy Brightman chats with Composer Henry Mollicone and Librettist Shishir Kurup on the creation of LA Opera’s Community Opera: “Moses”. “Moses” has its world premiere at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown LA on March 22 and 23, 2019. Henry and Shishir talk with Stacy about how they each first came to opera, the development of this special work (an opera for professionals and community members to perform together?!), and their hopes for the piece. Want more information on “Moses”? Visit LAOpera.org/Moses.

Music Director James Conlon and opera super-fan, actor and opera stage director Christoph Waltz chat about Waltz’s relationship to opera (saw his first opera at 10 in Vienna), his experience directing opera, and his inspiring ideas about securing the future of opera. Recorded after the March 10, 2019 performance of "The Clemency of Titus".

Listen in on a fascinating conversation between Thaddeus Strassberger - stage director and scenic designer for our production of “The Clemency of Titus” – and President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. They discuss Mr. Strassberger’s general philosophy as a director and designer, as well as how this brand-new production (a "feast for the eyes" says the LA Times) - came to be.

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Clemency of Titus" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on March 2, 2019.

Thaddeus Strassberger, stage director and scenic designer for LA Opera’s production of “The Clemency of Titus,” takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. In Mozart’s final masterpiece, the most powerful civilization in the world falls vulnerable to the machinations of power players seeking glory. In a drama marked by shifting layers of morality and loyalty, Mozart’s unmistakable love for humanity shines through in his glorious and endlessly inventive music.

There's no room for mistakes with Mozart's music. Renowned tenor Russell Thomas talks with LAO President and CEO Christopher Koelsch about the joy and challenges of singing the composer’s music and specifically the role of Titus in our upcoming production of Mozart’s "The Clemency of Titus". The two also discuss his process of preparing a role, his ideal rehearsal environment, and the complicated dance of crafting his performance schedule.

LA Opera is proud to share this special conversation recorded on November 9, 2015 between renowned opera artist Maria Ewing and Michael Hackett of UCLA. Throughout her remarkable career, Ms. Ewing has astonished audiences with her searing performances in both soprano and mezzo-soprano roles. As one of the early leading artists at LA Opera, she spoke with Dr. Hackett as part of LA Opera’s oral history project to discuss her career, roles and a life in opera.

Special Edition! LA Opera announced it’s 2019/20 season today (we are so excited to share it with you, we couldn't wait until Tuesday). In this podcast, Christopher Koelsch - LA Opera’s President and CEO - sits down with Classical KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal to preview the upcoming operas and concerts.

Joshua Winograde, LA Opera’s Senior Director of Artistic Programs, sits down with Dr. Stephen King, Head of Vocal Instruction for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, to discuss his career teaching young opera singers on the verge of a major career, in both Los Angeles and Houston (attention aspiring opera singers).

On December 2, 2018, The Kennedy Center held its 41st annual national celebration of the arts — The Kennedy Center Honors. Celebrated composer Philip Glass was one of the honorees. In honor of Philip Glass’ recognition by The Kennedy Center and the broadcast of the awards last week (December 26), this "From the Vault" episode features LA Opera's Artist-in-Residence Matthew Aucoin in conversation with Glass prior to the November 17, 2016 performance of his opera “Akhnaten”, which was conducted by Aucoin.

Composer David Lang sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen to discuss his opera “the loser”, which will be presented with LA Opera in February 2019 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. They talk about “solving musical problems”, what draws him to compose, and how opera in the 21st century is a lot like experimental theater.