What is Opera, Anyway?

What is Opera, Anyway?

By What is Opera, Anyway?ArtsPerforming Arts
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What is Opera, Anyway? episodes

  • What is the History of Stage Design, Anyway?
    In this episode, host Marcus Jefferson and set designer Alex McCargar discuss the rich history of stage design and from a Viennese stage designer's perspective!
    This episode is sponsored by Opera NexGen in anticipation of their performance of Night Trip, a gripping new one-act opera from composer Carlos Simon and librettist Sandra Seaton. This one-night-only performance will be streamed live and online on Saturday, December 11th at 7:30pm Eastern. Learn more and get your tickets at operanexgen.org/nighttrip.
    48 min
  • What is a drag queen in opera, anyway?
    Have you ever met a drag queen opera singer? Now you have! Mike Galvin is an operatic bass, but his drag persona Donatella Fermata sings a different tune. Find out how the intersectionality between drag, queerness, and opera opens up new opportunities for Mike as a performer and allows him to explore parts of himself and the opera industry that he never could have before.
    45 min
  • How did Mozart write, anyway?
    On today’s episode of WIOA, collaborative pianist Michele Wong teaches us about Mozart’s music and how he uses melodies and themes to paint a picture – with or without any words!
    39 min
  • La Boheme Without the Stovepipe: Rethinking Stage Design.
    In this second interview with Alex McCargar, we discussed the intricacies of rethinking traditional stage design in the world of opera. To learn more about Alex, you can visit his website: https://www.alexandermccargar.com/
    Credits: Overture – Reagan Casteel
    Producers, Technical Directors, Editors – Jeremy Lopez and Noah Sesling
    Executive Producer – Francesca Lionetta
    Host – Josh Lau
    1 hr 5 min
  • What is Czech opera, anyway?

    In today's episode, I chat again with soprano Malinda Wagstaff, this time about Czechia (a.k.a. the Czech Republic) and the operas that have come from its most prolific composers. We cover all of the bases from the nation's tumultuous beginnings and unfamiliar language to the whimsical motifs that make Czech opera unique.

    Credits:

    Overture – Reagan Casteel

    Producers, Technical Directors, Editors – Jeremy Lopez and Noah Sesling

    Executive Producer – Francesca Lionetta

    Host – Josh Lau

    46 min
  • How are new operas created, anyway?: A chat with Jeremy Johnson (part 2)

    In part two of my interview with Jeremy Johnson, we talked about how new operas are created from start to finish, and where his role as dramaturg comes in. Be sure to listen to part one if you haven't already to hear all about what it means to be a dramaturg! To learn more about HGO, you can visit https://houstongrandopera.org

    Credits: Overture – Reagan Casteel

    Producers, Technical Directors, Editors – Jeremy Lopez and Noah Sesling

    Executive Producer – Francesca Lionetta

    Host – Josh Lau

    38 min
  • What is a dramaturg, anyway: A chat with Jeremy Johnson (part 1)

    In today's interview, I got to chat with Jeremy Johnson about what it means to be a dramaturg for the Houston Grand Opera, and how he got to turn his love for opera and historical research into a professional career. Plus, hear a fluke story about how he found the opera industry completely by accident! Be sure to look out for part two of this interview which will be released on June 9, 2021! To learn more about HGO, you can visit https://houstongrandopera.org 

    Credits: Overture – Reagan Casteel 

    Producers, Technical Directors, Editors – Jeremy Lopez and Noah Sesling 

    Executive Producer – Francesca Lionetta 

    Host – Josh Lau

    42 min

About What is Opera, Anyway?

From the publisher's feed

Our podcast is designed for lifelong learners who are interested in learning more about opera! Through diverse programming, listeners will learn many ways to answer the question: "what is opera, anyway?".