George, Oliver and Tobias preview the productions and artists they're looking forward to seeing and hearing in 2017...

Plus you get all your opera headlines in 'The Two Minute Drill'...

@operaboxscore #operaballs

Day after Christmas? Hell, yeah, we have a show! But it's podcast-only!

Guest co-host Matthan Black joins George to talk about the best and worst of 2016. They take you through the year's highs and lows: of opera news stories, live productions and their own personal artistic decisions...

@operaboxscore #operaballs

Tonight it’s the final installment of our three-part series listening to and talking about our favorite holiday pieces of classical music. Daina tells George what’s on her playlist...

But first, in ‘Chalk Talk’, we talk about the best and worst of 2016. Daina takes us through her highs and lows of opera news stories, live productions and personal artistic decisions...

Also, you get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

Very happy merry! @operaboxscore #operaballs

The holidays are here, and we’re continuing our three-part series listening to and talking about our favorite holiday pieces of classical music. Tonight, creative consultant Oliver Camacho tells us what’s on his Christmas playlist and introduces us to a few major works that don’t get as much play as Handel’s 'Messiah' or Mariah Carey’s 'All I Want for Christmas'...

But first, in ‘Chalk Talk’, we talk about Russian baritone Dimitri Hvorostovsky. He’s been battling brain cancer for months, and now he’s withdrawn from all future opera performances. Can he return to the stage? If not, who’ll take his place? And what sort of a void will not singing roles leave in the life of one of the world’s biggest opera stars? Guest co-host and baritone Matthan Black chimes in...

And you get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

@operaboxscore #operaballs

The holidays have arrived, and here on the OBS we’re ready to celebrate. How? With a three-part series examining holiday operas, of course. Tonight, we take a closer look at Gian Carlo Menotti’s Christmas opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors”. Tender feel-good show or cheap sentimentality? We’ll tell you what we think...

But first, we discuss the Metropolitan Opera’s struggle to program new commissions. We’ll let you know what the problems are and how they might be solved...

Also, you get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

@operaboxscore #operaballs

It's a special podcast-only show! Let the swearing begin!

In ‘Chalk Talk’, George and Oliver take a look at those events that happen before and after an opera performance: pre-show lectures, post-show discussions and, as seen last Sunday night at LA Opera, after-parties. Do they add to the experience or do they distract from the main event...?

Then, you get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

Plus, ‘Monday Evening Quarterback’ returns, when we review the new production of “Les Troyens”, by Hector Berlioz, at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mega hit or epic fail? We’ll tell you what we think...

And you tell us what you think! @operaboxscore #operaballs

It’s a ‘Chalk Talk’ double-header tonight. In Part One, Tobias and Daina and George reveal what they’re each thankful for in opera; see if you’re thankful for the same things...

You get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

Then, in ‘Chalk Talk’ Part Two, the boys (and girl) talk about turkeys and take a few potshots. Find out what some of the dud ideas, dreadful productions and dismal moments have been so far this opera season...

Are you on Twitter?

#operaballs

Whether you’re surprised or not, Donald Trump has been elected President of these United States. What can opera teach us about why he won? And what is the future for opera under the Trump administration...?

Then, 'Pop Quiz' returns. Oliver and Daina team up to identify operas just by listening to each work’s overture. They’ll be up against the clock. Play at home to see if you can beat them...

And of course you get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in 'The Two Minute Drill'...

Tonight, we go Inside the Huddle with tenor Scott Brunscheen and soprano Kimberly Jones. They're in Chicago Opera Theater's current production of Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen'. Hear what they have to say about the rehearsal process of this sexy update of a Baroque classic...

In Chalk Talk, Oliver tackles a noisy audience member at a recent production of Humperdinck’s 'Hansel and Gretel' at Seattle Opera. George tackles Isaac Mizrahi, the sports-allergic Honorary Chairman of last month’s National Opera Week.

And, yes, you’ll get all your opera headlines and our hot takes on them in ‘The Two Minute Drill’...

#operaballs

Guest producer Matthan Black is joined by creative consultant Oliver Camacho on our annual Hallowe'en show! Listen, if you dare, to the scariest music in the opera repertoire...

Then, be brave and join Matthan and Oliver 'Inside the Huddle' when they interview horror film composer Ross Crean...

Plus, 'Monday Evening Quarterback' takes you into the terrifying world of Nico Muhly's opera "Dark Sisters" at Third Eye Ensemble...

And, you get all your opera head(less)lines in 'The Two Minute Drill'...

Whatever you do, don't look behind you...

#operaballs