LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

On December 2, 2018, The Kennedy Center held its 41st annual national celebration of the arts — The Kennedy Center Honors. Celebrated composer Philip Glass was one of the honorees. In honor of Philip Glass’ recognition by The Kennedy Center and the broadcast of the awards last week (December 26), this "From the Vault" episode features LA Opera's Artist-in-Residence Matthew Aucoin in conversation with Glass prior to the November 17, 2016 performance of his opera “Akhnaten”, which was conducted by Aucoin.

Composer David Lang sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen to discuss his opera “the loser”, which will be presented with LA Opera in February 2019 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. They talk about “solving musical problems”, what draws him to compose, and how opera in the 21st century is a lot like experimental theater.

On November 3, 2018, UCLA Professor of Musicology Mitchell Morris spoke on "Hansel and Gretel" to a group of educators. Dr. Morris answers the question, is “Hansel and Gretel” Wagner for kids? Some adult themes are briefly discussed in this podcast.

Artistic Adviser to LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and opera superstar Susan Graham sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in a conversation about her role debut as The Witch in LA Opera’s production of “Hansel and Gretel” and how she approaches learning new parts.

Composer Ellen Reid sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen to discuss her opera “p r i s m”, which premieres with LA Opera on November 29, 2018 at REDCAT. The opera is about the boundaries we create to around ourselves to separate us from our own darkness or trauma, and the lengths we go through to keep those boundaries up. CONTENT WARNING: This podcast and the opera contain information about assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors.

LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon explores Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening performance on November 17, 2018.

Opera producer Beth Morrison sits down with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in a conversation covering what led Morrison to create her company, Beth Morrison Projects; the BMP productions LA Opera is presenting this season; how BMP and LA Opera formed their artistic partnership; and the relationship between new work and the standard opera repertoire.

Composer Joby Talbot and Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen talk about the many different compositional hats Talbot wears, writing operas, ballets, concert music and film scores. Just in time for Halloween, they discuss Talbot’s current project commissioned by LA Opera for the Off-Grand series: a new score for the 1931 German film “Vampyr” performed at the Theatre at Ace Hotel.

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, Dr. Vinay Lal, UCLA Professor of History and Asian American Studies, spoke as a part of LA Opera’s Opera for Educators professional development for teachers on Philip Glass’ “Satyagraha”. Dr. Lal’s presentation covered a brief overview of Gandhi’s life, the birth of satyagraha (the movement), the philosophical foundations of satyagraha and the idea of nonviolence, the “portability” of Gandhi, and the history of global nonviolence.

Classical KUSC's Duff Murphy unpacks Philip Glass' "Satyagraha" during his pre-show talk prior to LA Opera's opening night performance on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Sean Panikkar, who plays the role of Gandhi in LA Opera’s production of Satyagraha, takes us through a scene-by-scene description of the opera. Satyagraha focuses on the years Gandhi spent in South Africa from 1893 to 1914. The opera unfolds thematically rather than chronologically, in depicting the development of Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, and is sung in Sanskrit.

Bass Morris Robinson, who takes on the role of Parsi Rustomji in LA Opera's upcoming production of “Satyagraha”, sits down with Classical KUSC's Brain Lauritzen. One of the most sought after basses performing today, Morris discusses his journey from playing college football to leaving a good corporate job for a career in opera.

Recorded following the October 7, 2018 performance of "Don Carlo", LA Opera Music Director James Conlon and Dr. Jeffery High, CSULB professor and renowned Friedrich Schiller expert, dive deeply into the connection between Schiller’s German play "Don Karlos", Verdi’s grand opera "Don Carlo", and the fascinating history which inspired them both.

Join Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in conversation with retired Major Nick Seidel, a childhood friend of composer David T. Little and one of the inspirations behind his opera "Soldier Songs".

Composer David T. Little sits down with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen for a conversation about his opera "Soldier Songs", which will be presented October 13 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood as a part of the Off Grand series. They discuss the opera and the role that arts organizations can play in welcoming home veterans after active duty.