On today's episode of Behind the Curtain, Dr. Patricia Caicedo is a musicologist, a physician, and a world-class soprano whose work redefines the role of music in society. Today, she shares her excitement for LA Opera's upcoming production of West Side Story, and makes a passionate case for performers and listeners alike to engage with Spanish-language repertoire.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, and get your tickets now to West Side Story at LAOpera.org.

LA Opera kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season this fall with West Side Story, and in this episode from the vault, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank joins Connects Teaching Artist and renowned tenor Ashley Faatoalia to try and answer the age-old question: what's the difference between opera and musical theater? Whether you call West Side Story an opera or a musical, one thing's for sure; you'll laugh, cry, and shimmy along in your seat when it hits the LA Opera stage this fall. Get your tickets now for West Side Story—playing September 20 through October 12—at LAOpera.org.

In this episode from the vault, LA Opera Connects' Dr. Andréa Fuentes sits down with Colombia University's Dr. Shana Redmond to talk about why La Bohème so deeply resonates with us. They discuss the friendships, the economic struggle, the resilience, and the gender paradigms that populate this timeless opera, and what gives it its enduring charm. They also travel trains of thought-- from RENT to Paul Robeson to grand visions for the future of the art form. Get your tickets to La Bohème now at LAOpera.org and don't forget to leave a comment, rating, or review on this episode.

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano takes us on a romp through the romantic relationships of the upcoming season, from tragic bohemians to passionate Egyptians (with more than a few nods to Shakespeare). LA Opera's 40th Anniversary productions have more steamy intrigue than an episode of—well, we'll let Dr. Brown-Montesano tell you about that. Get your tickets to romance at LAOpera.org, and get ready to feel the love.

As we joyfully prepare for our 40th Anniversary Season, which includes an original LA Opera production of La Bohème, we're going into the vault to bring you a special episode from 2016: a La Bohème talk by Duff Murphy. Here, he shares fascinating knowledge about Puccini, La Bohème's reception in its time, who the opera is dedicated to, and how the lush, enduring classic almost didn't come to be. How well do you know La Bohème? Listen in and get your tickets now to La Bohème, playing this November 22 through December 14. Tickets available at LAOpera.org.

For our historic 40th anniversary season, LA Opera brings back the world's most delightful opera, the Magic Flute playing May 2026. In this special episode we flash back to a 2019 conversation between Brian Lauritzen and former resident conductor Grant Gershon. Together, they discuss all things Magic Flute, including the secrets of performing on high platforms, staging an opera with animations, and why it's such a clever choice to stage the production as a silent film.

Celebrate 40 years of bold storytelling with LA Opera and don't miss the world's most popular opera, The Magic Flute, tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

As we approach the 4th of July, we’re turning our attention to the bold, ever-evolving world of American opera. In this special episode, Dr. Tiffany Kuo explores what makes an opera “American,” highlighting works that span ragtime, hip hop, minimalism, and the avant-garde. It’s a powerful reminder that American opera is not one sound—but many.

From thrilling drama to laugh-out-loud comedy, celebrate 40 years of bold storytelling with LA Opera this season, starting with the American classic, West Side Story. Tickets for LA Opera's historic 40th Anniversary Season are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

This February 2026, Akhnaten returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the first time in a decade. In this special episode, we rewind to a 2017 conversation between Akhnaten's composer, Philip Glass, and LA Opera’s then-artist-in-residence, Matthew Aucoin. Together, they explore the radical reign of the pharaoh Akhnaten, the revolutionary vision that reshaped ancient Egypt, and the hypnotic score that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Celebrate 40 years of bold storytelling with LA Opera. Tickets to our historic anniversary season, including Akhnaten, West Side Story, The Magic Flute, and more are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

This episode is an in-depth analysis of the music of Rigoletto, with LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank. From his piano, Jeremy takes us on a journey through the music of Rigoletto, providing context from the end of the bel canto period into Verdi's early, middle, and late periods. This episode was recorded as part of LA Opera's learning series, now known as Exploring Opera. Tickets for Rigoletto are available now at LA Opera.org.

In this episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with Rigoletto star Quinn Kelsey to discuss the baritone's artistic journey, his experience of embodying one of Verdi's most iconic roles, and how his Hawaiian cultural heritage has influenced it all. Playing now through June 21, tickets to Verdi's Rigoletto are available at LAOpera.org.