Opera Apéro

On this episode, I talk to my friend Jake about George Handel's opera Agrippina. It's a long-winding story of politics, betrayal, love and lotsa scheming (my favorite!). Taking place during the Roman Empire, we follow along as a broad cast of characters including the Emperor Claudius and the titular character the Empress Agrippina pursue their heart's desires. We discuss how it's similar to The Bachelor/Bachelorette (and how it's not), and whether or not these characters are good or bad.

On this episode I talk to my friend Natali about Jules Massenet's Thaïs. In Ancient Egypt, a Christian monk, hoping to convert a courtesan who is also a devoted worshipper of the goddess Venus, runs into some unexpected consequences.

Luckily, my guest just so happens to be a former Egyptology expert. We discuss religious purity, why we think some of the choices made are bullshit (but maybe not!), and learn a little bit about the historical context of the play. 

On this episode, I talk to my friend Ella about Béla Bartók's only opera Bluebeard's Castle.  Incidentally, the Hungarian opera is based on a French folk tale from the Middle Ages. This is a two-for-one episode: an opera recap and a folk tale recap!

We chat about the creepiness of emotionally closed and murderous men, the nightmares the original folk tale gave me, relationship dynamics, and whether or not the protagonist in this one is truly evil. 

Today on Opera Apéro, we're going to learn more about Strauss' masterpiece Der Rosenkavalier. Get ready for some fun gender-bending shenanigans, German language laughs, and a lot of love triangle feelings. 

Welcome to Opera Apéro: listen to hear more about what to expect from these opera story breakdowns and a little bit about why this Berlin-based lady is striking out into the opera podcast space.