Central City Opera Podcast

The stage director of this summer’s production of COSI FAN TUTTE is Australian Stephen Barlow. On this episode of the podcast, Stephen discusses his concept for this updated production and why he considers Mozart to be the “Shakespeare of opera.” He also tells us how he was inspired to work in theater – has to do with puppet shows and old theater programs,  why he ended up in England, and his impressions of Central City.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

On this episode of the podcast, meet Carmen’s other half, Don Jose. Welsh tenor Adriano Graziani talks about the mental and physical demands of the role and what he loves about this character. He also shares how he first became interested in opera, the challenges and fun of an international career, and the Welsh connection to Central City. You may even hear him sing a sweet Welsh folk song.  

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Jose Maria Condemi is our stage director of CARMEN this season. On this episode, he shares how hearing a duet from CARMEN when he was a kid in Buenos Aires got him excited about in opera, and how he always remembers that reaction whenever he works on the show. He also delves into the different themes within the opera, brainstorms an alternate ending, and shares how he got into directing and his philosophy about working with young singers.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

On this episode of the podcast, Adam Turner talks about how he’s looking forward to his first Carmen as principal conductor after being the Associate Conductor/Chorusmaster on many other productions. He tells us what he thinks we should listen for and why Carmen is one of those operas that will never fade from the repertoire. Adam also describes his main gig at Virginia Opera and shares how he got started in conducting, how he thinks opera companies can adapt and keep moving forward, and why he’s become addicted to long distance running after Central City Opera’s music director took him on a run in Idaho Springs 6 years ago.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Meet this summer’s “Carmen” on this episode of the podcast. Soprano Emily Pulley shares how she hopes to make her mark on this iconic role and why she thinks audiences keep coming back to this warhorse of an opera. She also reflects on how she got into opera in the first place, the advice she got as a young singer, including her days as a Studio Artist in 1992, and ruminates on how opera has changed over the years.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Nancy Parker is the Chairperson of the Central City Opera Board and has been involved with the company for over 30 years. On this episode, she shares her experiences with the company and why it is so important to her that it keeps thriving. 

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

On this first episode of Season Two of the podcast, Central City Opera’s General and Artistic Director Pat Pearce shares his reflections from the 2016 Festival, gives a rundown of the 2017 Festival, his hopes for the opera industry and advice for singers, especially those starting their vocal studies. He also spills the beans on what he’d do if he ever won the Powerball.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Week Six - Until We Meet Again

On this final episode of the 2016 Festival podcast series, we wanted to introduce you to someone who you may not even know is part of the Central City Opera family, but who the company members see on a daily basis.  Jeanne Richards has been coming to Central City Opera since 1953, and for the last 30 years, she has come to every single performance. She’s an unassuming, energetic woman who always seems to have a smile on her face, especially around the artists, and on this episode, she shares some of her stories about Central City Opera. 

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Week Five - Getting to Know You (Better)

Baritone Grant Youngblood commands the stage this summer as Horace Tabor in the 60th anniversary production of The Ballad of Baby Doe. On this episode, recorded a few days after Opening Night in July, Grant shares his thoughts on this iconic Colorado silver king, including his theory as to why Horace left Augusta for Baby Doe. He tells us his favorite moments in the production, how he “ages” onstage in the role, the interesting words that show up in Horace’s libretto, and what it’s been like working with the other performers in the show, including the young artists. Grant also shares what it’s like being on the road and how he recreates home wherever he is, how he manages doing a long run of performances, and much more.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.

Week Five - Getting to Know You (Better)

Michael Wingfield is the “man-behind-the-curtain,” the Technical Director at Central City Opera. On this episode, he tells us the details of being a Technical Director, the challenges of working in a historic building, and how a show is put together from design plans to putting it on the stage. He also shares where he’s from, how he got into his field, and how he loves being part of the larger tradition of storytelling on stage. Mike is also a very talented visual artist and a set designer in his own right, and his background as an art assistant for famous artist Robert Rauschenberg and education in architecture led him to his work in opera.

Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at [email protected]. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at www.centralcityopera.org.