LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

As a leader in the field of Arts & Health, LA Opera is thrilled to have two guests today on the podcast who are incredible advocates with long histories in the realm: Dr. Eraka Bath and Patrisse Cullors. Through UCLA’s HEARTS program, they are providing arts-based mental health workshops for civic leaders and healthcare workers who are experiencing stress and burnout. But how do you heal the healers? Dig into this question and more with host Gail Eichenthal, today on Behind the Curtain. Then learn more and celebrate November’s Arts & Health Month with LA Opera Connects by visiting LAOpera.org/ArtsAndHealth.

In this episode—an excerpt from our Exploring Opera series—Dr. Catalina Castillón, Emerita Professor of Spanish at Lamar University, unpacks the character of Carmen. Look beyond the timeless allure and discover the symbolism, the archetypes, and the mythos behind Carmen herself. Then, don't miss this classic opera, with a brand new twist. Tickets to "Carmen" are available now at LAOpera.org.

On today's episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank is back at the piano, exploring the themes that make "Carmen" universal, from love triangles to liberation. He'll share musical excerpts from "Carmen" that you know and love—such as the famous "Habanera"—and trace the motifs that run through the opera, with a special ear to how the musical score complements the story. It's an aria-filled episode today on "Behind the Curtain." Tickets to "Carmen" are selling fast. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.

Today's episode of the podcast brings contemporary art downstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as we unveil the many inspirations—both artistic and scientific—behind LA Opera's jaw-dropping new curtain! This 70-foot commissioned curtain is the vision of artist and author Enrique Martínez Celaya, who joins us today on the podcast. Alongside Enrique is Christina Nielsen, Director of the Art Museum at The Huntington Library, who discusses the impact of the curtain and the importance of Celaya's work. See the new curtain unfold in person when you visit your opera house, with tickets to LA Opera's 2026/27 season, available now at LAOpera.org.

On today's episode of "Behind the Curtain," soaring Tunisian-Canadian soprano Rihab Chaieb reveals her surprising musical past, shares about the hustle it takes to become an opera star, and spills the secrets of "Carmen," our season opening production. To her, Carmen is an unwavering beacon of freedom who aches to be loved for the right reasons, and collaborating on this world premiere has opened up a plethora of creative questions. It's a joyfully multilingual episode of "Behind the Curtain" that will have francophiles smiling and opera fans singing along. Get your tickets to "Carmen" now at LAOpera.org.

This Halloween, LA Opera is thrilled to present "Hercules vs. Vampires" on October 30 and 31 at The United Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. In this episode, we talk to the composer of "Hercules vs. Vampires," Patrick Morganelli, about this high art meets high camp movie experience. Patrick has roots in some of LA's finest music schools and has worked in a fascinating variety of media, so grab your pumpkin spice lattes, start picking out your costume, and listen in as he shares the process of adapting a film into an orchestral score. Then get your tickets to this campy, vampy cult classic at LAOpera.org.

Today's episode is part of our Arts and Health Series, which highlights the benefits of the arts on wellness. Listen in as we're joined by a distinguished panel including world-renowned artist and advocate and LA Opera Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming, neuroscientist and musician Dr. Indre Viskontas, Founder and CEO of Social RX Chris Appleton, and moderator Michael J. Bobbitt, President and CEO of OPERA America. Join us as they extol the value of the arts in bringing meaning to life, and as they expand the definition of health to be characterized not simply by the absence of disease, but by the presence of meaning. Arts and health is a fertile field of exploration, and LA Opera is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Visit LAOpera.org/Wellness for the latest discoveries on our resources.

In today's episode, LA Opera Connects Vice President Dr. Andréa Fuentes dives into the discourse around "Carmen" with LA Opera affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. They talk about the cultural, social, and political reverberations of "Carmen"—what's controversial, what's dynamic, and what resonance the opera holds for us today. Consider complexities you may or may not have examined in a whole new light, and get your tickets to our world premiere production at LAOpera.org/Carmen, playing October 17 through November 7. We can't wait to see you there.

What does engineering have in common with opera? What brought a Tulsa boy to New York City before he even finished high school? And what is it about the music that makes "Carmen" one of the most performed operas of all time? Uncover all of this and more when Gail Eichenthal interviews director and scenic designer Thaddeus Strassberger on this episode of "Behind the Curtain." Thaddeus helms the LA Opera season opener, "Carmen," running October 17 through November 7 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

Today’s episode is a special feature from the Vault, with James Conlon, LA Opera Conductor Laureate, whom we couldn’t be more excited to have returning to the LA Opera podium this season to conduct “The Marriage of Figaro.” In this episode, Conlon discusses renaissance man Leonard Bernstein, growing up in Bernstein’s New York City, and Bernstein’s unique gift for connecting with people. Conlon also illustrates how Bernstein’s “Candide” is just as timely now as it was in the 1950’s, tackling challenging political themes with humanity, humor, and grace. Get your tickets now to “Candide” and “The Marriage of Figaro” as part of season packages at LAOpera.org.