The #OperaTrash Podcast

The Salzburg Easter Festival is over, but Krista was privileged to listen to a recording of Jonas in the title role of Wagner's Tannhäuser this past weekend on Austrian radio. Was he as bland as those first reviews claimed? What's with the feet in Act 2 and 3? Why did some weird schmutz monster maul Jonas in Act 2? And why is Krista's audio being a pain in the ass? (Everything except the last question will be answered)

Think of it as Slapnuts: The Early Years! Anna and Krista tackle Il re pastore (The Shepherd King), written by everyone's favorite poop king. While the music is great, the staging they saw was... well, let them tell you. They also dedicate the episode to Al Jaffee and drop some very happy news.

Some historically-based operas play fast and loose with facts, but Anna and Krista found one that is pretty much on point: Verdi's I vespri siciliani. Settle in for some medieval shenanigans, a discussion of nerddom and even updates on the BBC Singers and our Auntie Sonya Yoncheva. Oh, and the Pittsburgh Opera drops their 2023-24 season!

No swans were harmed in the making of this week's episode reviewing the Met's new production of Lohengrin. Join Anna and Krista as they talk about Piotr's "'sup Carmen" moment, starfish costumes and unintentional parallels. But first, a series of short rants kicks off the shenanigans.

Just when you thought Anna and Krista couldn't find another pop culture tie-in to opera, they found one! This time, they present Puccini's 3-for-1 opera Il Trittico. You'll gasp, you'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll wonder why Puccini's original wishes weren't honored (just like a writer of certain Hobbit-centric books). They also pay homage to the late Chaim Topol and stand up for Sonya Yoncheva, who doesn't deserve the hate she's gotten.

When an opera is based on badly told history, you know Anna and Krista will call bullshit. That's just what they do as they review Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots, loosely based on the events arround the French Wars of Religion. They also give you the lowdown on the BSO's 2023-24 season and give some love to the people of East Palestine, Ohio.

Anna and Krista unveil The Met's 2023-24 season both on stage and in HD! New productions, tried and true productions and new faces await you. Pick your faves and save that Live in HD (or Live at Home) money!

Anna and Krista conclude their review of Handel's Orlando trilogy with the eponymous opera, a tale of love and confusion. They also dedicate the episode to the late Richard Belzer, wish Jonas a speedy recovery and read off a list of famous alma mater alumni.

Once again, Anna and Krista venture to Wagner Land as they discuss his first staged opera, Rienzi. Hear why there's no actual score for this meh opera, and why we can add "was in debtor's prison" to the list of Bitch Lasagna's Major Misadventures.

Anna and Krista take you on a last-minute trip to Vienna courtesy of The Wien's production of Aida. Can you say "bad makeup ahoy"? They also go in depth about what they think would be the best operas for beginning opera fans, and it just careens into a lot of subgroups and hilarity.