San Diego Opera Podcast

Madama Butterfly: My Favorite Recordings

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 15:12:00 GMT

In the second of an occasional series, here is a list of my favorite recordings of Madama Butterfly with singers like Freni, Price, Pavarotti, Gigli and Toti dal Monte (who??) Have fun!

Benjamin Britten and English Opera

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:48:00 GMT

Britten, the composer of "Peter Grimes" which San Diego Opera will be producing in 2009, was a crucial link to composers today who work in the English language. Let's explore his contribution to the art.

The Vocal Cadenza: Some Singers Just Want to Show Off!

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:05:00 GMT

Besides defining just what a cadenza is, let's go a bit further and ask ourselves if there are dramatic or even emotional reasons for cadenzas, or are they just an opportunity for a singer to milk applause from the audience?

Massenet. The French Puccini?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:58:00 GMT

In my humble opinion, Massenet and Puccini are speaking essentially the same language and share a similar turn-of-the-century aesthetic. Listen in and see if you agree!

Thematic Reminiscence: Come Again?

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 17:36:00 GMT

Yes it's a formidable name, but it's one of the most easily recognizable techniques that composers use to pull their operas together. Spend a few moments and let me give you some great examples from our 2009 season!

Tosca: Recordings I Love

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:39:00 GMT

A little summer diversion: there are so many good recordings of Tosca out there, but which ones are best? I'm not sure, but here are some of my favorites, recordings that you'll be able to find on Amazon.com.

Recitative: OK, So Just What Is It?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Recitative. It's a word you hear thrown around a lot in operatic circles, but do you know what it really means? Not to worry...here's everything you need to know about recitative and then some. You'll be thanking me when you can use it intelligently during the next intermission at the opera. Your friends will be impressed. Seriously.

Madama Butterfly: Here She Comes Again!

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Do we need to see Madama Butterfly again? The answer is a resounding YES! In the truly great operas, you always find, see and hear something new every time you experience them. Let Nick Reveles make a few suggestions about why Butterfly is a joy to look forward to this season.

Peter Grimes: The Ultimate Operatic Outsider

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Premiered in 1945, Benjamin Britten's Opera Peter Grimes marked a fresh start for opera in English. It's a gripping, intense drama set in a small fishing village off the east coast of England. Find out what makes this opera tick, and why no one should fear twentieth (or twenty-first!) century opera.

Rigoletto: Just What Was Verdi Thinking?

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:43:00 GMT

Rigoletto, San Diego Opera's third opera in the 2009 International Season, is a rather revolutionary piece of musical theatre. Audiences just weren't ready for the anti-hero hunchback jester who pimped for his boss. Are you ready??

San Diego Opera International Season 2009: An Overview

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:22:00 GMT

San Diego Opera's 2009 Season looks to be the most exciting we've ever had! Listen now to this podcast, hosted by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, and hear descriptions of and audio excerpts from Tosca, Don Quixote, Rigoletto, Peter Grimes and Madama Butterfly. There's something for everyone in 2009, especially anyone who loves beautiful music!

Don Quixote: A "Heroic Comedy"

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:29:00 GMT

Jules Massenet is best known for operas like Manon and Werther. This opera isn't known quite so well, but it is a stunner! Learn more about it and hear some of the gorgeous music that it contains in this podcast about our third opera of the 2009 International Season.

Tosca: That Shabby Little Shocker Is Back

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Puccini's Tosca, once called a "shabby little shocker", is back to open the 2009 Season. Here's another look at one of the most melodramatic opera scores of the twentieth century (it premiered in 1900) and certainly one of the most gorgeous!

The Pearl Fishers Opens This Week. Cult Oyster Blues.

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:36:00 GMT

The same guy who wrote Carmen penned this little gem. It's our French offering this season. Remember: pearls and basic black will never go out of style, especially at the opera.

Exoticism in opera. Is that incense I smell?

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:03:00 GMT

What's up with operas like Aida, The Pearl Fishers, Madama Butterfly and Turandot? Nineteenth century opera seemed to corner the market on exotic locales.

Basses: the lowdown on the down low!

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:18:00 GMT

OK, OK, I was just trying to get your attention. Nothing salacious here, just a brief overview of the guys at the bottom. No, really!

Aida Opens This Week. It Ain't Your Grandma's Aida. Or Elton's.

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Another Italian take on an exotic time and place. Why is this everyone's favorite opera?

A Word on Verdi

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 17:15:00 GMT

The old man knew what he was doing: he wanted opera to be real theatre. And if a Verdi opera doesn't come off that way, then something's wrong.

Baritones: Every man thinks he IS one

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:53:00 GMT

The baritone is the man's man of opera. If George Clooney were an opera singer, he'd probably be one. But he's not. So we won't go there.

Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci Open This Week.

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:06:00 GMT

Truthiness at the opera! I never thought I'd reference Stephen Colbert in this series. But here we go. Verismo, naturalism and the Italian penchant for a slice of life.

Italy and the Opera. Why?

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 19:58:00 GMT

Because. A brief history of Italy and its relationship to one of her most glorious exports. Besides limoncello. Say Euridice three times fast.

Mezzo-Sopranos: Tony Still Doesn't Live Here!

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 16:56:00 GMT

Mamas, witches and gypsies. And real women with an independent streak. If The Sopranos were an opera, Livia would be one. A mezzo, that is.

What Is An Aria?

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:07:00 GMT

A brief history of something you didn't know existed until you started coming to San Diego Opera. Why don't we just call it a song and be done with it?

Tenors: Opera's 'Players'

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:06:00 GMT

The sopranos all die and the tenors have all the sex. Wassup wid dat?

Mary, Queen of Scots Opens This Week!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:32:00 GMT

"What's a nice Italian composer like you doing in a place like this? Gaetano Donizetti, composer of Maria Stuarda (Mary, Queen of Scots) gives us a very Italian take on British Royal history. Can you say, "Liz is a vile bastard" in Italian? You'll learn how here. Tell your friends.

Is 'bel canto' a new restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter?

Mon, 4 Feb 2008 16:44:00 GMT

Maybe it oughta be. But short answer: no. Tune in the long answer. It's got something to do with beautiful singing and we've got it!

The Sopranos: Tony Doesn't Live Here!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:04:00 GMT

...or Carmela or Meadow or Johnny Sack. But if you want to get to know the other sopranos, tune in. Coloraturas, dramatics, lyrics...they're all gorgeous and they're all here.

Tannhauser Opens This Week. Are You Ready For Wagner?

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:21:00 GMT

I know you're really NOT ready, but here it is: the composer you swore you'd never understand or listen to. Or sit through. (Aren't these operas like, 15 hours long?) and what's everybody screaming about?

Opera Basics: Words and Music

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:09:00 GMT

Something kind of cool happens when words and music meet. You know, your song?? It reminds you of when you met that special person...where you were, what you did, maybe even what time it was. Multiply that by one hundred and you have opera!

Introduction to The Pearl Fishers

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:34:00 GMT

Discover Georges Bizet's (composer of CARMEN) other opera THE PEARL FISHERS in this podcast introduction by Nicolas Reveles, Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera. Coming from an era of great French operas, hear how Bizet's genius turns elegant and lyrical in this exotic stage piece set in old Ceylon. If you don't know the tunes from this opera, then you're in for a treat! (First posted June 25, 2007)

Introduction to Aida

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:23:00 GMT

Giuseppe Verdi's great masterwork AIDA is the subject of this podcast introduction by Nicolas Reveles, the Geisel Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera. The discussion centers on the passionate music of Verdi, the choices he made in re-creating the world of ancient Egypt onstage, and why this opera is still so popular today. (First posted June 25, 2007)

Introduction to Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:13:00 GMT

Nicolas Reveles, the Geisel Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera, discusses this classic pairing of two verismo operas by Pietro Mascagni (CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA) and Ruggiero Leoncavallo (PAGLIACCI). Verismo is 'realism' in Italian: and these two short operas are filled with passion, violence, and death with overwhelmingly beautiful music to match the tragic stories. (First posted January 25, 2007)

Introduction to Mary, Queen of Scots (Maria Stuarda)

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:01:00 GMT

In this introduction to Gaetano Donizetti's MARIA STUARDA (Mary, Queen of Scots) host Nicolas Reveles, Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera, discover why this early 19th century masterpiece is the very definition of 'bel canto' opera. Hear highlights of Donizetti's lyrical music and explore the real history behind the story: the relationship between the royal cousins, Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I. (First posted June 25, 2007)

Introduction to Tannhauser

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:46:00 GMT

In this introduction to Richard Wagner's TANNHAUSER, learn about the challenges involved in producing this monumental work, hear highlights from the score and explore the themes that the composer was trying to communicate in this 19th century 'morality play'. San Diego Opera Education Director Dr. Nicolas Reveles hosts. (First posted June 27, 2007)

Opera: What's the Big Deal?

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:30:00 GMT

NEW! Everything that you need to know about opera as art in 15 lean minutes! You'll also come to know that opera is everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. So get over yourself. You know you love it...