Behind The La Opera Curtain

A maddening descent into jealousy and rage ends in murder. Join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he explores the drama, the history and of course the music of Verdi's Otello. See Otello now through June 4, tickets are available at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Sarah Saturnino, member of the LA Opera Young Artist Program, reads the synopsis for Otello. See the opera hailed as the pinnacle of the Italian operatic repertoire, May 13 - June 4. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

Beth Morrison launched her production company to create space for diverse artists. Sixty world premieres later, Beth Morrison Projects' intimate and cutting-edge operas share universal stories. Listen as Beth Morrison and musicologist, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano, dig deeper into why these works are so important for long-time opera lovers and those new to the art form. Catch the west-coast premiere of our Off Grand double bill, TRADE and Mary Motorhead, playing April 27-30, 2023. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

Listen as Dr. Michael Hackett discusses "Pelléas et Mélisande: From Play to Opera" in this recording from LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Tickets to Debussy's only opera are available now at LAOpera.org.

Dreamy, mystical, emotional. In this pre-performance talk, Maestro Conlon guides you through the atypical soundscapes and enigmatic plot of Claude Debussy’s only opera; Pelléas and Mélisande.

In this episode, Anthony León, member of the LA Opera Young Artist Program, reads the synopsis for Pelléas and Mélisande. See Debussy's only opera, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

Eli Villanueva and Natalie Iscovich share a passion for creating environments where students and community members feel comfortable expressing themselves creatively. This shared passion has brought them together as a dynamic duo of teaching artists, who both got their start with LA Opera Connects on the same production, almost 30 years apart. Eli and Natalie talk to Tehvon Fowler-Chapman, Vice President of LA Opera Connects about their creative beginnings and what it takes to mount a community opera with hundreds of participants. Tickets to this year's Community Opera, Moses, are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, talented soprano Janai Brugger discusses her introduction to opera, motherhood and how she brings Susanna to life in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Don't miss Janai as the ever-resourceful bride of Figaro now through February 26. Tickets for The Marriage of Figaro are available at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, LA Opera Connects Vice President Tehvon Fowler-Chapman sits down with internationally acclaimed tenor and LA Opera Artist in Residence Russell Thomas to discuss storytelling in opera and what he hopes to impart to the next generation of artists. Hear Russell Thomas in recital at the Colburn on Saturday February 25, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, join LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon as he delves into the history of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais and his beloved character Figaro for this pre-recorded pre-talk. See Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro now through February 26. Tickets are available at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Anthony León, member of the LA Opera Young Artist Program, reads the synopsis for The Marriage of Figaro. See Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, playing February 4-26. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this special episode of Behind the Curtain, join LA Opera Connects' Vice President Tehvon Fowler-Chapman and LA Opera staff as they share and dive into their favorite songs and recordings to listen to during the holidays.

In this episode, Kathleen Moriarty discusses "A Tale of Two Toscas". This recording was made as part of LA Opera Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. See Tosca at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion now until December 10. Tickets are available at LAOpera.org

In this episode, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, James Conlon explores Tosca - the story, its history, and of course, the music. See LA Opera's Tosca at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from November 19 through December 10. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, soprano Angel Blue shares the synopsis for Tosca. Showing November 19 through December 10, see Angel Blue as Floria Tosca — the glamorous heroine — in this enthralling tale of love, deception and corruption. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, the director for Omar Kaneza Schaal and production designer Christopher Myers, discuss their collaboration, artistry and the importance of telling Omar ibn Said's story. Learn more about Omar at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, Director of LA Opera Connects, ​Andréa Fuentes, interviews Ashley Faatoalia, Cedric Berry and Patrick Blackwell who discuss their experiences as part of the cast for Omar. This recording was made as part of Connects professional development series for teachers, Opera for Educators. Don't miss the West Coast premiere of Omar at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, October 22 through November 13. Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org

In this episode, composer Michael Shapiro is interviewed by LA Opera's Senior Director of Artistic Programs Joshua Winograde. Together they discuss Michael's atmospheric and original score for Frankenstein. Come see composer Michael Shapiro conduct his new score to this 1931 masterpiece of horror at the Ace Theater, performed by the LA Opera Orchestra on October 28 and 29.

In this episode, Omar co-composer Michael Abels and Professor of Music at Mount San Antonio College, Dr. Tiffany Kuo discuss the music, the story and the process of creating Omar in this pre-recorded pre-performance talk. Tickets to Omar are available now at LAOpera.org.

In this episode, composer Michael Abels shares the synopsis for Omar. Hear Michael Abels and Rhiannon Giddens music bring Omar's memoir to life in this inspiring true story about one man's faith and courage. Tickets to the West Coast premiere of Omar are available now at LAOpera.org.