In this episode, Les speaks with Vancouver-born lyric soprano Simone Osborne. Simone was one of the youngest-ever winners of the Met Competition in New York at age 21, and most recently headlined Vancouver Opera's 2019 production of Faust in the role of Marguerite. Simone is currently based in Frankfurt, Germany and shares some delightful stories of inspiring mentorship, finding balance as a busy soprano, and her formative experiences.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Simone's Spotify playlist, Les' Spotify selection of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

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In this episode, Les speaks with Canadian bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, who most recently starred as Joseph De Rocher in Vancouver Opera's 2017 production of Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking. Daniel has been involved in the creation of several world premiere operas, including Brokeback Mountain, The Fly, JFK, and Marnie, among others. In addition to his accomplished career in opera, Daniel has also appeared on Broadway in the role of Schaunard in Baz Luhrmann's 2002 Broadway musical adaption of La bohème. Dan shares fascinating and humorous stories of performing around the globe as well as his perspectives on performance in a socially-distanced digital landscape.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Daniel's Spotify playlist, Les' YouTube selection of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

Support the show (http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/dev/contribute.aspx)

In this episode Les takes a stroll down memory lane with legendary Canadian mezzo-soprano Judith Forst. Judi has an association with Vancouver Opera dating back to the 1960s, when she was a member of the first training program for young singers. Since that time she has had a prestigious international career with appearances at some of the most important opera houses of the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and San Francisco Opera. Judi most recently appeared with Vancouver Opera as Mrs. DeRocher in 2017's Dead Man Walking. We are treated to Judi's stories of performing with Opera greats such as Joan Sutherland, hear about her beginnings in British Columbia, and discover Judi's love for new composition.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Judi's Spotify playlist, Les' Spotify selections of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

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In this podcast, Les speaks with Stage Director Rachel Peake, who last directed La Cenerentola for Vancouver Opera in 2019 and is the Associate Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. Rachel was also director of 2014's Stickboy and will return to direct Vancouver Opera's 60th Anniversary Season production of George Bizet's masterpiece Carmen. Rachel gives us a fascinating look into her process as a director in both theatre and opera.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Rachel's Spotify playlist, Les' listening recommendation of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

Support the show (http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/dev/contribute.aspx)

In this podcast, Les chats with Vancouver Opera Music Director Emeritus Jonathan Darlington. We explore Jonathan's musical journey and how he got involved in the world of opera, and Maestro Darlington also shares his thoughts on Mozart, Verdi and Strauss, composers whose operas have figured prominently in his tenure at Vancouver Opera. Plus, we get a peek at what Jonathan is doing to keep busy during this quarantine period.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Jonathan's Spotify playlist, Les' listening recommendation of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

Support the show (http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/dev/contribute.aspx)

In our first podcast, Les chats with Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera’s newly appointed general director. Tom previously held the position of director of artistic planning at VO for 13 seasons. Les and Tom discuss leadership during a pandemic and his vision for the future of Vancouver Opera.

Check out our special features for the episode, including Tom's Spotify playlist, Les' listening recommendation of the week, and more at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage !

Support the show (http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/dev/contribute.aspx)

A series preview of the Vancouver Opera Offstage podcast with Les Dala; an introduction from Episode 1.

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