OPERABIZ PODCAST

OperaBiz

What's it like to work in the opera industry? Here on the OperaBiz Podcast, we talk with professionals actively working in the opera world, sharing stories, talking shop, and discussing opera in the modern age. read less

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Will Liverman: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES & Creating Opportunity

Will Liverman: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES & Creating Opportunity

Fresh off the Met's production of FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES, Will Liverman sits down to chat about the significance of this opera, and takes us behind the scenes of embodying the dynamic role of a living public figure, and how to create opportunity in the industry. We discuss how the role was tailored to him, what that process was like, and a glimpse behind the curtain. A cross-genre musician, Will also talks about other genres, favorite artists, and what feeds him musically. Special Guest: Will Liverman.

Episodes

Will Liverman: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES & Creating Opportunity

Will Liverman: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES & Creating Opportunity

Fresh off the Met's production of FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES, Will Liverman sits down to chat about the significance of this opera, and takes us behind the scenes of embodying the dynamic role of a living public figure, and how to create opportunity in the industry. We discuss how the role was tailored to him, what that process was like, and a glimpse behind the curtain. A cross-genre musician, Will also talks about other genres, favorite artists, and what feeds him musically. Special Guest: Will Liverman.

Lee Anne Myslewski, VP Wolf Trap Opera: Auditions in the Modern Age

Lee Anne Myslewski, VP Wolf Trap Opera: Auditions in the Modern Age

Lee Anne sits down for a realistic discussion about rolling with Covid protocol punches and 21st-century trends in opera auditions. She's heard over 10,000 auditions and she offer great insight to all those making a first impression, even in digital auditions. From self-producing to saving auditions that go awry, this is a must-listen for young artists! Special Guest: Lee Anne Myslewski, Vice President, WOLF TRAP Opera and Classical Programming.

Jennifer Rowley: Mainstage Auditions & Honing Your Rep

Jennifer Rowley: Mainstage Auditions & Honing Your Rep

Soprano Jennifer Rowley talks about mainstage auditions, European auditions, and honing your audition offerings for more successful auditions. She defines "contrasting arias" for the working professional and walks us through what it's like to audition for a mainstage role. It's a must-listen for this audition season and the perfect way to kick off the return of the OperaBiz Podcast! Special Guest: Jennifer Rowley.

Ana De Archuleta, Pres. & CEO of ADA Artists

Ana De Archuleta, Pres. & CEO of ADA Artists

Jump into a conversation with Ana De Archuleta, where we discuss approaching managers, making statements in auditions, and the de-stigmatization of the "Slash" (side gig/day job) that is a necessity for young and emerging singers in the industry today. Special Guest: Ana De Archuleta - Pres. & CEO of ADA Artists.

J. Patrick Raftery - Tenor

J. Patrick Raftery - Tenor

J. Patrick Raftery and I sit down for a casual conversation while working together at Taos Opera Institute, June 2019. He shares insights about the ever-changing industry, his transition from baritone to tenor, and anecdotes from his 4 decades in opera.

J'Nai Bridges, Mezzo

J'Nai Bridges, Mezzo

J'Nai Bridges sits down for an informal discussion after her first day working at the Met on Akhnaten. We talk modern singer life, the legacy of Jessye Norman, and long-needed changes in the opera industry. A bit more casual than the usual episode, J'Nai and Daniel hang out outside the Met for a real chat about where she's been, how she got here, and where we're all going. Special Guest: J'Nai Bridges.

Karen Kamensek, Conductor

Karen Kamensek, Conductor

Making her Metropolitan Opera conducting debut this season, Karen Kamensek sits down to discuss her road to conducting, her collaboration with Philip Glass, and a largely European career. She shares her insights on Glass' music as well as a fresh perspective on life on the podium. For more info, visit her at www.karenkamensek.com Special Guest: Karen Kamensek, Conductor.

Frederick Ballentine - Tenor

Frederick Ballentine - Tenor

At the Met this season for Porgy and Bess as Sportin' Life, Frederick Ballentine talks about playing the villain, on-stage community, and his advice for young singers. Special Guest: Frederick Ballentine.

Sidney Outlaw - Baritone

Sidney Outlaw - Baritone

Sidney discusses the life of a modern singer, the joys of teaching, and his journey from seeing his first opera to a life on stage. Recorded March, 2019. Special Guest: Sidney Outlaw.

Andrew Ousley - PR

Andrew Ousley - PR

Kicking off Season 2 of the OperaBiz podcast: PR guru Andrew Ousley joins the conversation for an informative talk about the state of social media for singers, what a PR firm actually does in classical music, and where he thinks this corner of the industry is going. From analytics to trends to what gets you noticed, Andrew has some great insight for singers at any level of their profession. Special Guest: Andrew Ousley.

From MT to opera, off to Broadway and TV, and now back on the opera stage again, Zachary James brings a unique and fresh perspective on the opera industry. Special Guest: Zachary James.

Susanna Phillips

Susanna Phillips

Susanna Phillips, soprano, known to most MetOpera fans as Musetta in La Bohème (11 consecutive seasons). We talk about the process of preparing a role, favorite roles, and when it's time to retire a role and move on to others. Special Guest: Susanna Phillips.

Peter Szep: NY Opera Alliance / NY OperaFest

Peter Szep: NY Opera Alliance / NY OperaFest

Peter Szep comes on to talk about what's happening in the NYC opera scene, chat about new works and premiers during NY OperaFest 2019, and the great collaboration of opera. Special Guest: Peter Szep.

Lila Palmer, Librettist

Lila Palmer, Librettist

Lila Palmer, librettist, comes on to discuss the side of the industry many people take for granted: the text. From creating new works, to collaborative efforts, to crafting a story, Lila brings a unique perspective to the world of opera. Special Guest: Lila Palmer.

Timothy Myers, Conductor

Timothy Myers, Conductor

Conductor Timothy Myers (Santa Fe, HGO, Washington National Opera, MNOp, et al.) sits down to discuss working on world premiers, the collaborative effort of opera, and taking the road less traveled to a career. Recorded at Minnesota Opera, one day before the world premier of The Fix. Special Guest: Timothy Myers.

Allen Perriello

Allen Perriello

Allen Perriello, Head of Music for MNOpera and Director of Glimmerglass Young Artist Program, hangs out for a great conversation during the world premier week of The Fix in Minneapolis. We talk audition "strategy," modern music, and a bit about the world of collaborative piano. Special Guest: Allen Perriello.

Episode 1010: Samantha Hankey

Episode 1010: Samantha Hankey

Get to know one of the Met's up and coming mezzos, on stage for 6 roles this 2018-2019 season: Samantha Hankey. We talk about juggling multi-role prep, her musical background, and collaborating on new music. Special Guest: Samantha Hankey.

Sam Snook: IMG Artists

Sam Snook: IMG Artists

Sam Snook, VP or Artist Management at IMG Artists chats about what a modern manager does, where he discovers his artists (or how best to approach managers you're interested in), and general industry wisdom. Hear it directly from the man who reps Susan Graham, Ben Bliss, Angela Meade and more. Special Guest: Sam Snook.

From singing with your own voice to his blog and social media engagement, baritone Lucas Meachem covers the ins and outs of being a modern singer. Special Guest: Lucas Meachem.

Ben Bliss, tenor, discusses his transition from Hollywood production to the Met stage, about tenacity, and the importance of knowing when to pivot. Special Guest: Ben Bliss.