The Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera)

The Ghost Light team sits down with Maestro John DeMain (Music Director, Madison Symphony) to discuss the intersection of Opera and Musical Theater. He shares insights from his experiences conducting Houston Grand Opera, his conversations with Stephen Sondheim regarding Sweeney Todd, and what subject he would like to see be made into an opera.

To get tickets to the upcoming Utah Opera performance of Sweeney Todd visit https://bit.ly/3XANdH3

Co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down to discuss Scheherazade, Utah Symphony’s May performance featuring both Rimsky-Korsakov's famous orchestral suite as well as Ravel’s lesser-known Shéhérazade (a lovely song cycle originally inspired by Rimsky-Korsakov's version sung by Utah Opera Favorite Wendy Bryn Harmer).

These two evening concerts perfectly captures the sultan’s savagery, the storyteller’s mesmerizing quality, and the exotic tales Scheherazade weaves over the course of 1001 Arabian Nights.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Massenet's "Thaïs." Giving you a behind the curtain look into this grandiose production, what to expect, and the history of Massenet's timeless work.

The Ghost Light Podcast sits down with guitarist Gretchen Menn and USUO VP of Education and Community Outreach Ben Kipp to discuss the upcoming Guitar Celebrations Festival featuring Another Night On Earth guitar ensemble with the Utah Symphony.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."

They discuss why this opera is among the most performed operas worldwide, what to expect with THIS production, and the history of Mozart's timeless work.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give an in-depth look into Utah Opera's upcoming production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's "The Little Prince."

The opera is based on the children's book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Originally debuted in 2019 by Utah Opera, this colorful instant classic returns to the Capitol Theatre stage with a whole new cast.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take a deep look into the origins of film music. From silent films to the first "talkies" and to the modern epic scores.

What are their favorite movie scores? Who are their favorite creative partners? How does movie music fit in with the modern symphony orchestra? and finally, how do movie score composers stack up against the great composers in history?

Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with the newly appointed Utah Symphony Creative Partner, David Robertson, to discuss the genesis of his new role, the challenges and opportunities of programming a compelling concert, and what it's like being a part of a very musical family.

From the confused cosmos of the opening movement, to the folky and athletic scherzo, to the glorious finale. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you deep into the history and subtle details of Beethoven’s magnum opus. Learn about Beethoven’s personal life at the time of writing, the contemporary reaction to the work, and what Symphony No.9 means in modern culture.

And finally, why do “war horse” pieces like Beethoven’s Ninth get played so often? And how does it stay fresh to the listener?

To kick of the 8th season of the Ghost Light Podcast, co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts take you behind the music and production of the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Puccini's La bohème.

Discover the historical origins of the famed opera and why it's among the most performed operas world-wide. Jeff and Carol also give you some insider details of this production, and discuss La bohème's contribution to pop culture.