Behind The La Opera Curtain

On November 3, 2018, UCLA Professor of Musicology Mitchell Morris spoke on "Hansel and Gretel" to a group of educators. Dr. Morris answers the question, is “Hansel and Gretel” Wagner for kids? Some adult themes are briefly discussed in this podcast.

Artistic Adviser to LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and opera superstar Susan Graham sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in a conversation about her role debut as The Witch in LA Opera’s production of “Hansel and Gretel” and how she approaches learning new parts.

Composer Ellen Reid sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen to discuss her opera “p r i s m”, which premieres with LA Opera on November 29, 2018 at REDCAT. The opera is about the boundaries we create to around ourselves to separate us from our own darkness or trauma, and the lengths we go through to keep those boundaries up. CONTENT WARNING: This podcast and the opera contain information about assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors.

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on November 17, 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; the BMP productions LA Opera is presenting this season; how BMP and LA Opera formed their artistic partnership; and the relationship between new work and the standard opera repertoire.

Composer Joby Talbot and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen talk about the many different compositional hats Talbot wears, writing operas, ballets, concert music and film scores. Just in time for Halloween, they discuss Talbot’s current project commissioned by LA Opera for the Off-Grand series: a new score for the 1931 German film “Vampyr” performed at the Theatre at Ace Hotel.

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, Dr. Vinay Lal, UCLA Professor of History and Asian American Studies, spoke as a part of LA Opera’s Opera for Educators professional development for teachers on Philip Glass’ “Satyagraha”. Dr. Lal’s presentation covered a brief overview of Gandhi’s life, the birth of satyagraha (the movement), the philosophical foundations of satyagraha and the idea of nonviolence, the “portability” of Gandhi, and the history of global nonviolence.

Classical KUSC's Duff Murphy unpacks Philip Glass' "Satyagraha" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening night performance on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Sean Panikkar, who plays the role of Gandhi in LA Opera’s production of Satyagraha, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. Satyagraha focuses on the years Gandhi spent in South Africa from 1893 to 1914. The opera unfolds thematically rather than chronologically, in depicting the development of Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, and is sung in Sanskrit.

Bass Morris Robinson, who takes on the role of Parsi Rustomji in LA Opera's upcoming production of “Satyagraha”, sits down with Classical KUSC's Brain Lauritzen. One of the most sought after basses performing today, Morris discusses his journey from playing college football to leaving a good corporate job for a career in opera.

Recorded following the October 7, 2018 performance of "Don Carlo", LA Opera Music Director James Conlon and Dr. Jeffery High, CSULB professor and renowned Friedrich Schiller expert, dive deeply into the connection between Schiller’s German play "Don Karlos", Verdi’s grand opera "Don Carlo", and the fascinating history which inspired them both.

Join Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in conversation with retired Major Nick Seidel, a childhood friend of composer David T. Little and one of the inspirations behind his opera "Soldier Songs".

Composer David T. Little sits down with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen for a conversation about his opera "Soldier Songs", which will be presented October 13 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood as a part of the Off Grand series. They discuss the opera and the role that arts organizations can play in welcoming home veterans after active duty.

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon delves deep into Verdi's "Don Carlo" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's 2018/19 season opening performance on September 22, 2018.

LA Opera's President and CEO Christopher Koelsch and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen discuss the operas that comprise the 2018/19 season, both productions on the mainstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and “Off-Grand” at venues such as the Theater at Ace Hotel and the Ford Theatre. Mr. Koelsch also talks about his vision for the Company, and how he and the team at LA Opera work to make opera accessible to as many people as possible.

LA Opera's Resident Conductor Grant Gershon and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen discuss the upcoming production of Philip Glass's "Satyagraha", which Gershon will conduct in October/November. The conversation begins with Gershon talking about his long history with LA Opera.

Opera superstar Susan Graham and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen discuss her role as LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist program's Artistic Adviser, as well as her own experiences as a young artist and some key moments from the beginning of her career.

In May 2018, internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and current poet laureate of California, Dana Gioia, discussed one of his heroes, Walt Whitman, Whitman's great love of opera, and how that influenced his work.

Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen has a conversation about LA Opera's youth Opera Camp with composer/director Eli Villanueva; the Autry Museum's Director of Education and Visitor Engagement, Erik Greenburg; and LA Opera's Vice President for Education and Community Engagement, Stacy Brightman.

This week in July 1966, "Candide" had its North American premiere in Los Angeles with the Center Theatre Group on campus at UCLA. In this "From the Vault" episode, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon gives his pre-show talk on Bernstein's "Candide" prior to the January 27, 2018 performance.