As we prepare for the upcoming production of South Pacific, Toledo Opera's Leah Whitaker and WGTE's Brad Cresswell talk with WWII veteran Bob Masters, who celebrated his 99th birthday this past October. Bob talks about his service in the war, and shares the many stories he's accumulated from that time (including serving on the Enterprise and the time he bumped into — literally — Admiral Nimitz).

We round out our trilogy of Tosca-themed podcasts with a discussion on how Puccini's opera was received, and how it affected the genre as a whole. Using musicologist and critic Joseph Kerman's characterization of Tosca as a "Shabby Little Shocker" as a starting point, we focus on the music of Tosca and put it into historical context. Joining us are Dr. Eftychia "Effie" Papanikolaou, a musicologist and professor at Bowling Green State University; Dr. Douglas Forsyth, a historian also on faculty at BGSU, and musicologist (and Puccini expert) Dr. Jane Sylvester, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.

In advance of the opening of Toledo Opera's production of Tosca, we examine the ups and downs of the 19th century — the time in which the opera takes place. Joining the discussion are three historians: Barry Jackisch from The University of Toledo; Doug Forsyth from Bowling Green State University, and Alice Conklin from Ohio State University. We're also joined by Leah Whitaker, Toledo Opera's Development Officer (and former Seminarian).

As Toledo Opera's production of Puccini's Tosca fast approaches, we lay out the history of the "diva" character — and explore the ins-and-outs of some operatic divas (including Toledo Opera's own diva-within-a-diva, Tosca). Our guests for this episode are Artistic Administrator Kevin Bylsma, BGSU professor and musicologist Eftychia Papanikolaou, and our own Tosca, singer Lindsay Anderson.

Today's topic revolves around the necessity of Opera in our community and the importance of supporting it. We're joined by three distinguished patrons of the opera: Joel Gorski (current board president), Trina Secor (current trustee), and Ann Sanford (a former trustee and current donor).

What's your "Opera 101"? Join us for a backstage view of selecting operas and singers, from Toledo Opera's Artistic Director Kevin Bylsma and Marketing Director Rachael Cammern. We also get fresh perspectives from Community Engagement Advisory Committee Member Raina Dawson, and our own WGTE intern Carolyn Anderson (who also happens to be a soprano). And last but not least test your opera I.Q. with not one, not two, but three "Opera Quizzes."

Before they leave for other pastures, Toledo Opera's Resident Artists (Sara Mortensen; Imara Miles, and Steven Naylor) join us for a look at what they've learned and how they've grown. Also, we hear their plans for the future, and General Director James Norman weighs in on what a career in opera looks like today. And of course, we throw caution to the wind with our Old School Opera Nickname Quiz!

Many businesses pay lip service to the term "Community Engagement," but Toledo Opera has gone above and beyond to reach out to the local public, and to show a direct connection between opera and their daily lives. Joining us for this discussion are Leah Whitaker, development officer for Toledo Opera; Ebone Waweru, a part of the Toledo Opera family as a teaching artist with "An Opera Is a Story" and a member of the Community Engagement Advisory Committee, and Ron Wells, Jr., who is Executive Assistant to Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken by day and Toledo Opera mainstay by night.

For this episode we dig deep into the multicultural economic disparities of the Gilded Age as portrayed in the musical Ragtime. Joining us to deconstruct Toledo Opera's upcoming production is the show's director, James Norman; choreographer Domonique Glover, and cast member Raquel Suarez Groen, who plays the part of Mother.

Learn all about Toledo Opera's original production of Romeo and Juliet from our team, including one of the show's stars, Sidney Outlaw (who plays the role of Mercutio in the opera). We also have our customary three-part quiz — which explores how Shakespeare and his star-crossed lovers have made their way into opera (and pop culture).