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PODCAST

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

Created in 1986 by a team of visionaries, LA Opera has become a leader in artistic innovation, while honoring the great historical legacy of opera. Through the powerful art form of opera, we celebrate the diversity and pioneering spirit of our great city.

music

All Episodes

00:19:30

La Bohème and Tragic Romance in Opera with James Conlon

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of "Behind the Curtain," Richard Seaver Music Director Maestro James Conlon compares and contrasts Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" and Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," painting a lively picture of 19th-century France. From consumptive heroines to young lovers in strife, these operas tug at our heartstrings while maintaining a timeless relevance. Experience the drama of "La Bohème" from November 22 through December 14 at LA Opera. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.

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00:40:30

20 Years with Maestro Conlon: Italian Opera

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/10/28

Welcome back to Behind the Curtain's mini series, 20 Years with Maestro Conlon, in which Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Maestro James Conlon to discuss his legacy here at LA Opera. In this episode, we explore Italian opera—Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, and beyond—touching on bel canto and what makes a 'perfect opera.' Get your tickets now for Puccini's "La Bohème" and Verdi's "Falstaff" at LAOpera.org.

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00:36:22

Hildegard: Opera in the 21st Century with Beth...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/10/21

On today's exciting episode of "Behind the Curtain," Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Beth Morrison, the visionary behind Beth Morrison Projects. BMP's "Hildegard" is coming up at LA Opera's Off Grand series, November 5-9 at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. A world premiere, Hildegard is the first opera from Composer and Librettist Sarah Kirkland Snider, whose compositions have been hailed as “rapturous” by the New York Times, and “ravishingly beautiful” by NPR. Beth and Gail chat all

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00:37:47

The Phantom of the Opera with Alejandra Espasande

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/10/14

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera with film archivist Alejandra Espasande as she interviews three of the leading experts on this horror classic, including Emmy Award-winning make-up artist and the definitive biographer on Lon Chaney himself, Michael F. Blake. Set your Halloween plans now and get your tickets to The Phantom of the Opera at LAOpera.org.

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00:30:17

20 Years with Maestro Conlon: Beethoven, Mozart, and...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, veteran broadcast journalist Gail Eichenthal of Classical California KUSC sits down once again with Maestro James Conlon for the second episode of our miniseries, "20 Years with Maestro Conlon." This time, they transport us to the Classical period, with special emphasis on Maestro's legacy conducting Beethoven and Mozart—including Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," and Mozart's final opera, "The Magic Flute," which is the wonderful conclusion to this LA Opera season. From "La

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00:37:45

BONUS: West Side Story Opera Prep Panel LIVE with...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/10/03

This week's episode is a panel discussion that was recorded live at our Opera Prep series, which brings secondary school groups to the Dorothy Chandler to experience a dress rehearsal. Hosted by Ashley Faatoalia, this West Side Story panel features Maestro James Conlon, Assistant Director Andrea Beasom, Assistant Choreographer Courtney Ortiz, and a very special guest, George Chakiris, who won the Academy Award AND Golden Globe for playing Bernardo in the original motion picture of West Side Story

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00:16:44

Opera In the Community: West Side Story and LA Plaza...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/09/30

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar, Dr. Tiffany Kuo brings you "Opera in the Community," a Behind the Curtain mini-series that pairs each opera in our historic 40th Anniversary Season with an arts organization in Los Angeles. This episode pairs "West Side Story" with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Their current immersive music exhibit, A Great Day in East LA, illustrates the heritage, rhythm, and struggle of East LA, the neighborhood that actually inspired the conflict in "West Side Story."

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00:21:07

James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on West Side Story

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/09/23

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot, and of course, the music of LA Opera's historic 40th season opener—Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story." Don't miss this American classic, playing now through October 12. Tickets are on sale at LAOpera.org.

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00:39:50

West Side Story with Jeremy Frank and Andrea Beasom

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/09/16

In this week's episode of "Behind the Curtain," we tune in to a live-discussion hosted by our friends at the Opera League of Los Angeles between LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank and "West Side Story" Assistant Director Andrea Beasom, who brings her background as a professional dancer to the rehearsing and staging of Jerome Robbins original choreography. "West Side Story" electrifies the LA Opera stage from September 20 to October 12, and you can get your tickets before they're gone at

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00:34:04

A Tale of Two Romeos: "West Side Story" with Duke Kim...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/09/09

Not every tenor gets to play both Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" and Tony in "West Side Story," but Duke Kim is doing just that. In this episode, we go behind the curtain on Duke's burgeoning career, from his first aria to his success in prestigious vocal competitions. LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with Duke for a conversation that spans "West Side Story," "Romeo and Juliet," KPop, and so much more. Don't wait on tickets to "West Side Story. " "Stay cool" and get them now at

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00:42:00

20 Years with Maestro Conlon: LA Opera's 40th...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/09/02

In this episode, veteran broadcast journalist Gail Eichenthal of Classical California KUSC sits down with Maestro James Conlon for the inaugural episode of our new mini-series "20 Years with Maestro Conlon." Here in this introductory episode, we'll explore LA Opera's upcoming 40th Anniversary Season with an in-depth look at each production through the Maestro's eyes, as well as getting a peek behind the curtain at his extraordinary life and career. Tickets for LA Opera's spectacular 40th

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00:29:39

Serious Fun with Opera: West Side Story, with Dr....

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/08/26

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano is back with another installment of Serious Fun with Opera. Starting with a look at the relationship between musical theater and opera, she compares and contrasts the two art forms and how they interplay musically. She then tackles West Side Story, which opens LA Opera's 40th Anniversary Season. With its still relevant themes and catchy musical numbers, you won't want to miss West Side Story, playing September 20-October 12

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00:37:59

West Side Story with Gail Eichenthal and Francesca...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/08/19

On this week's episode of Behind the Curtain, KUSC's Gail Eichenthal interviews the director of West Side Story at LA Opera, Francesca Zambello. What unfolds is a fascinating conversation touching on Zambello's extensive work in the community, her vision for West Side Story, and this production's faithfulness to Jerome Robbins' original choreography. Listen in for a dose of inspiration, and get your tickets for LA Opera's West Side Story—playing September 20 through October 12—at LAOpera.org.

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00:29:27

Spanish-language Art Song and West Side Story with...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/08/12

On today's episode of Behind the Curtain, Dr. Patricia Caicedo is a musicologist, a physician, and a world-class soprano whose work redefines the role of music in society. Today, she shares her excitement for LA Opera's upcoming production of West Side Story, and makes a passionate case for performers and listeners alike to engage with Spanish-language repertoire. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, and get your tickets now to West Side Story at LAOpera.org.

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00:28:39

From the Vault: Opera vs Musical Theater with Jeremy...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/08/05

LA Opera kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season this fall with West Side Story, and in this episode from the vault, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank joins Connects Teaching Artist and renowned tenor Ashley Faatoalia to try and answer the age-old question: what's the difference between opera and musical theater? Whether you call West Side Story an opera or a musical, one thing's for sure; you'll laugh, cry, and shimmy along in your seat when it hits the LA Opera stage this fall. Get your tickets

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00:36:11

From the Vault: La Bohème with Dr. Andréa Fuentes and...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/07/29

In this episode from the vault, LA Opera Connects' Dr. Andréa Fuentes sits down with Colombia University's Dr. Shana Redmond to talk about why La Bohème so deeply resonates with us. They discuss the friendships, the economic struggle, the resilience, and the gender paradigms that populate this timeless opera, and what gives it its enduring charm. They also travel trains of thought-- from RENT to Paul Robeson to grand visions for the future of the art form. Get your tickets to La Bohème now at

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00:24:29

Love/Hate/It’s Complicated Island: A New Season of...

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/07/22

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano takes us on a romp through the romantic relationships of the upcoming season, from tragic bohemians to passionate Egyptians (with more than a few nods to Shakespeare). LA Opera's 40th Anniversary productions have more steamy intrigue than an episode of—well, we'll let Dr. Brown-Montesano tell you about that. Get your tickets to romance at LAOpera.org, and get ready to feel the love.

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00:39:30

From the Vault: La Bohème with Duff Murphy

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/07/15

As we joyfully prepare for our 40th Anniversary Season, which includes an original LA Opera production of La Bohème, we're going into the vault to bring you a special episode from 2016: a La Bohème talk by Duff Murphy. Here, he shares fascinating knowledge about Puccini, La Bohème's reception in its time, who the opera is dedicated to, and how the lush, enduring classic almost didn't come to be. How well do you know La Bohème? Listen in and get your tickets now to La Bohème, playing this November 22

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00:23:52

From the Vault: Making The Magic Flute

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/07/08

For our historic 40th anniversary season, LA Opera brings back the world's most delightful opera, the Magic Flute playing May 2026. In this special episode we flash back to a 2019 conversation between Brian Lauritzen and former resident conductor Grant Gershon. Together, they discuss all things Magic Flute, including the secrets of performing on high platforms, staging an opera with animations, and why it's such a clever choice to stage the production as a silent film.Celebrate 40 years of bold

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00:19:51

From the Vault: American Opera with Dr. Tiffany Kuo

LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain ·

2025/07/01

As we approach the 4th of July, we’re turning our attention to the bold, ever-evolving world of American opera. In this special episode, Dr. Tiffany Kuo explores what makes an opera “American,” highlighting works that span ragtime, hip hop, minimalism, and the avant-garde. It’s a powerful reminder that American opera is not one sound—but many. From thrilling drama to laugh-out-loud comedy, celebrate 40 years of bold storytelling with LA Opera this season, starting with the American classic, West

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