Opera Box Score

[@ 2 min] Alright, this week...former countertenor, now baritone and stage director Drew Minter goes Inside the Huddle to preview Haymarket Opera's upcoming production of Vinci's Artaserse. [@ 30 min] And then…in 'Chalk Talk,' new data suggests that the problem with opera attendance isn't actually price after all! Nobody tell Anthony Roth Costanzo. [@ 46 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…is it possible to have ethical AI usage in the arts? Opera Baltimore is on the case... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@ 3 min] Alright, this week, it's Monday Evening Quarterback on the 2025 Boston Early Music Festival, and we'll be joined by Amanda Forsythe with a scoop on the 2027 centerpiece opera! We promise this is the only opera podcast talking Telemann. [@ 21 min] And then...the centenary of Dietrich Fischer Dieskau's birth was last month, and we have a Free Throw from one of his last pupils, Benjamin Appl. Considered to be one of the all-time great Lieder interpreters, WE will consider Dieskau's notable opera roles. [@ 43 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…a decline in tourism coupled with the rise in deportations may be adversely affecting ticket sales at the Met...but that's not stopping the Laffont competition from scouting in South America. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@ 5 min] Alright, this week…we go Inside the Huddle with Julia Bullock (!!!). The distinctive soprano and muse of John Adams just wrapped the Met premiere production of Antony and Cleopatra and is sticking around Lincoln Center with her collaborators at American Modern Opera Company for the upcoming Run AMOC Festival. Somehow, she agreed to spend her only 30 minutes of downtime with us! [@ 29 min] And then, in “Home Team,” we bring you a second exclusive interview with Elijah McCormack. The male soprano, who is set to star in Haymarket Opera's production of Artaserse, helps us celebrate Pride Month and the totally queer excesses of Italian opera seria during the high Baroque! [@ 52 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Donald Trump earns rave reviews in a Cantonese Opera, but his ticket sales at home are tanking at the Kennedy Center… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@ 3 min] Alright, this week…it's an Inside the Huddle double header! First, we'll speak with tenor Josh Lovell, who will be playing Jupiter in Atlanta Opera's production of Semele. [@ 27 min] We'll also talk to Castle of our Skins cofounder Ashleigh Gordon, who's bringing Frederick Douglass to life with the help of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project! [@ 47 min] Plus, in the Two-Minute Drill, WT actual F is going on at the Kennedy Center, and WT literal F is going on with male leaders in classical music? Plus, Chicago Symphony Chorus gets a new director, Opera in the Ozarks gets new digs, and a Good Call for being mic'd Up. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@1 min] Alright, this week…Our regular recording day is Monday. Since that's Memorial Day, the team is taking a patriotic time-out and we bring you two Inside the Huddle features with great American artists: Ricky Ian Gordon and Sylvia McNair! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@2 min] Alright, this week…we go Inside the Huddle with Composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang! Later this month will be the world premiere recording of their first collaboration, An American Soldier will be released, just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. [@37 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Santa Fe Opera announces their new season where friends of the show abound, Houston Grand Opera is teaming up with an English orchestra, and Eurovision gets in on the AAPI celebration. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@2 min] Alright, this week…we go Inside the Huddle with Patricia Racette! The newly appointed Artistic Director of Opera Theatre of St Louis returns to the OBS to share her strategy for storytelling and shaping the future of her new home company. [@41 min] And then...a Field Report from The Met's Barber of Seville, described by our on-the-ground correspondent as a Money Machine... [@43 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Opera Philadelphia's $11 dollar tickets are back and the 2025 Richard Tucker Award winner is announced. It's a great time for opera in America. No obstacles or challenges for artists at all…. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@3 min] Alright, this week…we go Inside the Huddle with Gemma New. Having already achieved operatic glory in Opera Theater St Louis's acclaimed production of Susannah, find out how the Kiwi conductor is preparing for her upcoming debut at Santa Fe Opera! [@17 min] Then...in Monday Evening Quarterback, we give you the play by play of the US premiere of a new orchestration of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha- which gets us thinking, what are the best operas never to be seen by their composers? [@42 min] Opera Theatre names Patricia Racette as its new Artistic Director, and Sonya Yoncheva wants to teach your children about classical music..first lesson, Tosca! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@4 min] Alright, this week…THE Klaus Mäkelä takes a Free Throw. That's right folks. We're the only opera podcast to get an exclusive with the phenom Finnish conductor – for a whole 45 seconds! [@9 min] And since we're taking a dip into the symphonic world with our new friend of the show Klaus Makela, stick around for the return of Spring Training for Your Ears: Symphonic Repertoire! [@40 min] Then, a field report on the Met's Marriage of Figaro conducted by Joana Mallwitz (yo-AN-na MAHL-vits) with a very special Barbarina. [@43 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Detroit Opera risks being deported and Sir Bryn Terfel says, EF it, I'm going to Mexico. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@4 min] Alright, this week...friend of the show Andrew Jorgensen returns to take a Free Throw on the upcoming Opera Theatre of St Louis festival season. You'll be shocked to find out which of the four productions he is looking forward to the most... [@16 min] And then…we exercise our opera snob muscles and discuss what makes an opera high art, like Wagner's Ring Cycle, or pop garbage, like Charpentier's Louise. [@32 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Jacksonville University decides that the arts aren't important, Carolina Opera gets sued, but at least Kennedy Center believes in the red, white, and blue… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@1 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Timothy Murray. The American baritone is having a breakout season which includes his debut at the Met and singing a title role at Opera Omaha this spring! Later this month, he brings his celebrated Don Giovanni to Opera Philadelphia... [@25 min] Then, we review the recording career of an artist who holds the record for Classical Grammy wins…and if you're thinking of The Crossing, not yet…Keep listening to find out who. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@4 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Timothy Murray. The American baritone is having a breakout season which includes his debut at the Met and singing a title role at Opera Omaha this spring! Later this month, he brings his celebrated Don Giovanni to Opera Philadelphia... [@29 min] And then…as classically trained church singers head into the busiest week of the year, a galvanizing essay makes us all wonder if our acceptance of the status quo makes us are part of the problem. [@41 min] Plus, in the "Two Minute Drill"…bouncing back from his loss at the Oscars, Ralph Fiennes goes after an International Opera Award, and Anita Rachvelishvili takes Peter Gelb to court, and we're not talking tennis here. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@4 min] Alright, this week...it's the Final Four of our March Madness Summer Festival bracket! Who wins when England, France, and Germany dare to go against the US? [@33 min] Plus, in the "Two Minute Drill"…Breaking news as we record, season announcements, and the Kennedy Center…is still there. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@2 min] Alright, this week...we narrow our March Madness of Summer Festivals down to the Final Four! Who can challenge Glyndebourne in the UK quarter? [@21 min] Plus, in the "Two Minute Drill"…Opera Theater St Louis is getting an extreme makeover, opera edition, and Brooklyn Academy of Music may be broke, but they've got Barrie Kosky! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

[@3 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Yuval Sharon! The stage director, author, and administrator, who is famous for the parking lot Gotterdammerung and Backwards Boheme(™), is currently exploring artificial intelligence in his new concept for Cosi fan tutte. Sharon joins us to preview that upcoming production for Detroit Opera AND to answer the age-old question: Is there any opera in the standard canon that is fine just the way it is? [@25 min] And then…it's our annual March Madness bracket. Find out which summer opera festivals made it to the Sweet Sixteen, and we put the call out to you to help pick the Elite Eight. [@33 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…the Laffont competition crowns five singers, and JD Vance gets booed at the Kennedy Center - that's good news for most of us. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@3 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Nathan Granner! The American tenor is set to star in a revised version of Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell's "The Shining" at Portland Opera, but we had to ask him about the opera "Balls." [@33 min] And then…In Home Team, Lyric Opera of Chicago announces their next season, which includes performances by former creative consultant Renee Fleming and…the Smashing Pumpkins?….but, sadly, not on the same concert. [@46 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…In 2025, conductor Marin Alsop says she is not looking forward to the 30's, and by that, she means the return of the 1930s. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@3 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Dr. Lucy Caplan, author of a recently published history of a Golden Age in American classical music called "Dreaming in Ensemble: How Black Artists Transformed America Opera." In addition to tantalizing us with all the operas by American composers that have never been heard in modern times, Lucy Caplan also has ideas about what we should do instead of performing Aida in blackface. [@31 min] And then…soprano Joelle Harvey takes a Free Throw on the female voice and how experiences only women have affect the instrument. Thank goodness we have Ashlee on hand for that one... [@52 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Portland Opera is moving out of its mother's basement and into its own loft downtown, and, breaking news, no one likes America anymore! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@2 min] Alright, this week...THE Iestyn Davies takes a Free Throw on one of his signature role, Didymus in Handel's Theodora. A role, incidentally, which will mark his debut with Chicago's Music of the Baroque this weekend. And since Oliver loves Iestyn so much, we'll revisit a favorite Inside the Huddle with the British countertenor from the OBS archives. [@44 min] And then, in the 'Two Minute Drill'…America will FINALLY celebrate Christ at Christmas. And it's supposed to be BARBER of Seville, not CHEESEMONGER of Seville... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@3 min] Alright, this week...Pene Pati takes a Free Throw on Rodolfo, the role which marks the star Samoan tenor's debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago next month. As Rodolfo and Mimi are top two on the call sheet for La Boheme, we'll handicap some of the commercial recordings of Puccini's perennial people pleasing masterpiece. [@39 min] And then…Meridian Prall goes Inside the Huddle. Named an OBS artist to watch in 2025, so we are going to check in with the American mezzo-soprano in advance of her debut in Washington Concert Opera's La clemenza di Tito. [@65 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…speaking of Washington..well, we'd rather not, but at least we can talk about the new Met season if America is still a thing in the fall. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@5 min] Alright...This week, we go Inside the Huddle with Elena Villalón! The Cuban-American soprano returns to OBS 6 years after she first joined after winning the Met Council auditions. Later this month, she makes her Detroit Opera debut in Handel's "Rinaldo." [@36 min] And then…a Listener Mailbag on a song recital! Oliver, is this your doing? This is Opera Box Score, not Lieder Anzeigetafel! [@42 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…will a certain podcast be designated as an enemy of the state for not showing blind allegiance to the chairman? Stay tuned and find out..unless we've already been scrubbed from the internet. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@4 min] This week, baritenor Michael Spyres goes Inside the Huddle to discuss his unique fach, but it's 2025 and Beyonce won a grammy for best country album, so what even is fach? We'll discuss a brief history of the baritenor, bel canto edition. [@32 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Friend of the Show Karen Slack wins best vocal solo ,and it's an unhappy ending for almost-friend-of-the-show-but-thankfully-it-never-worked-out baritone Justin Tucker. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@6 min] Alright, this week…in advance of "The Puccini Heroines," an all-Puccini arias concert at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Sondra Radvanovsky takes a Free Throw on the singing the role of Turandot. Compared to Norma and Aida, you may be surprised to hear that it's one of her easiest roles. [@18 min] And then…in Listener Mailbag, we have field reports on all the vocal activity at Carnegie Hall including Song Studio, Friend of the Show Ying Fang with the Orchestra of St Luke's, and Friend of the Show Ryan Speedo Green in recital with pianist Adam Nielsen. [@27 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…there *is* good news for 2025. Soprano Lise Davidsen has announced she is having twins! And if they are fraternal twins who inherit their mom's voice, maybe in 2055 we will have a future dream team Sieglinde and Siegmund! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

Alright, this week…we're recording on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so we're going Inside the Huddle with two Black divas... [@ 1 min] First up, it's soprano Symone Harcum, the star of Opera Philadelphia's upcoming production of The Anonymous Lover by Joseph Bologne. [@ 26 min] Then, Jordan Pitts, the creator of New York City and Paris Grand Opera's Diva Creatine Price, goes Inside the Huddle to share his experience as a finalist in France's Got Talent. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 bsky @operaboxscore

[@3 min] Alright, this week…New Year, New OBS! There's a lot to look forward to in the coming months and we have all your 2025 recommendations, resolutions, and redshirts. [@36 min] And then…legendary French conductor Marc Minkowski takes a free throw on the career of one of his longtime collaborators and favorite singers. You'll have to stay tuned to find out who, but we can give you a hint: it rhymes with Schmagdalena Kožená. [@46 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…say it isn't so! Sir Bryn Terfel is retiring his Scarpia, and conductor Daniel Harding loves taking risks in the pit, but hopefully not the cockpit. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 5 min] This week…we go inside the huddle with Givonna Joseph, the founder of Opera Creole, and soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, the star of that company's upcoming world premiere of Edmond Dede's "Morgiane," a collaboration with friend of the show Opera Lafayette. [@ 32 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…the prima of the Met's new Aida was an event that won't be forgotten any time soon, and is Paris Hilton the solution to opera's Millennial problem? GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

Alright, this week…It's the OBS year in review! From Beyoncé showing off her Italian Baroque chops to Arts Council England continuing to be the enemy of opera, to friend of the show Anthony Roth Costanzo being tapped as Opera Philadelphia's new GD, to other friend of the show Benjamin Bernheim getting the ultimate OBS bump, 2024 certainly was…something. The team breaks it down for you… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 1 min] This week…for our annual Christmas episode, we're going INSIDE THE CAROL. Taking a break from opera news, the OBS team wants to save you from tears, and give your heart away to someone special… [@ 23 min] Plus, keeping with the theme of magical births, a field report on the Met's “Die Frau Ohne Schatten.” GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 2 min] This week…we go inside the huddle with Key'mon Murrah. In advance of his upcoming Washington National Opera Marian Anderson Vocal Award recital, we catch up with the in-demand countertenor almost four years after he first became a Friend of the Show. [@ 26 min] Then, we take a break from the opera to discuss the CSO in this week's listener mailbag… [@ 31 min] After that…Puccini died a century ago, and his operas are still performed all over the world. Matt and I are here to settle the question once and for all: was Giacomo the GOAT? Or GioAT, if you will? [@ 59 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…is Bayreuth's budget going bust? Will bad business bring about bankruptcy? We boys break down this baffling botheration… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 2 min] This week, we're recording on December 2nd, the 101st anniversary of the birth of Maria Callas. And to celebrate, we'll go Inside the Huddle with Sophia Lambton, author of the new biography, "The Callas Imprint." [@ 30 min] Then, it's a Monday Evening Quarterback on “Maria,” the film now in select theaters and coming to Netflix this month! [@ 38 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…we may be celebrating Callas' birthday on the show today, but Puccini's birthday was nearly ruined at La Scala… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! (Sorry, UK listeners). The OBS team is going to celebrate by taking a week off from the news and offering our thanks to artists in our industry who have striven to make this world a better place. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 2 min] This week, Frederica von Stade, a living legend, takes a Free Throw on the role of the Mother in Dead Man Walking and reveals the heartbreak of being a mother working in opera. [@ 16 min] Then…we go Inside the Huddle with tenor Gwilym Bowen, who is setting his voice to Christmas Oratorio and Messiah mode as we enter into the most magical season of all[@ . [@39 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Peter Gelb is jockeying for a cabinet position with a promise to make opera great again. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@4 min] Later this month, Agnes Baltsa will celebrate her 80th birthday, and since her handlers won't answer our interview request, we'll offer you the next best thing and induct the grandiose Greek mezzo-soprano into the OBS hall of Fame. [@ 31 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…So far there's only one thing to look forward to in 2025: GRAMMY season! We'll walk you through the noms while we all collectively smile through the pain… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

Alright, this week…it's the first week in November in America and the election is the only thing we can think about. We have no idea if America will still be a thing by the time you hear this…but we will try to continue the conversation about politics…I mean opera. Then…a free throw from bass Kenneth Kellogg who is set to make his Chicago debut in his signature role, The Father in Jeanine Tesoriu and Tazewell Thompson's BLUE. Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…we got one tenor chiding us and another tenor grousing about his picture not being included on the cover of a DVD and, I'm sorry, Democracy is at stake here, so forgive us if we don't really care. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

Alright, it's Halloween, and we're here to warn you about opera characters you don't want to be alone with in the woods…and wouldn't you know it, none of them are bears! Plus we have lots of listener mail, so we are going to do something extra horrifying and skip the Two Minute Drill. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 1 min] It's the return of TKO, when we pit two sopranos against each other, one American and one Italian, in the obstacle course that is Madama Butterfly… [@ 39 min] And then, Ermonela Jaho, one of the undisputed great Cio-Cio San's of our time, takes a Free Throw on her signature role. [@ 55 min] And, in the listener mailbag, a field report on the Met's production of Grounded. [@ 1 hr] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Harmonia Mundi sells its soul? I mean, I guess it is almost Halloween… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 4 min] It's a Tenor Double Header! We go inside the huddle with two singers making their North American debuts in lead roles. First up, Mexican-American tenor Galeano Salas, who is set to co-star in La Traviata in Detroit opposite FOS Emily Pogorelc. Then, we speak to baroque specialist Antonin Rondepierre, who sings a title role in Acis and Galatea at Opera Atelier. [@ 52 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Warning: Naked Nuns Roller Skating may induce nausea….And the New York Times critics may induce tantrums. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 3 min] Sinéad Campbell Wallace goes Inside the Huddle! The Irish soprano shares how she began her career singing Handel and Mozart then took a long break to start a family and returned to singing as a Jugendliche dramatische Sopran. With a Salome and an Elsa already under her belt, she is making her American debut as Leonora in Washington National Opera's Fidelio. [@ 42 min] And then…a field report on the Tales of Hoffmann from the Met, starring Friends of the Show Benjamin Bernheim and Erin Morley. [@ 49 min] What's the playbook for keeping an opera company afloat in troubled times? Glyndebourne and Atlanta apparently have the secret sauce. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 2 min] We go Inside the Huddle with Ricky Ian Gordon. The prolific American composer of operas such as "A Coffin in Egypt," "The Grapes of Wrath," and "Orpheus and Euridice" has another credit to add: author! Ricky will share anecdotes from his new memoir, Seeing Through: A Chronicle of Sex, Drugs, and Opera. [@ 35 min] And then…a field report from an advanced screening of Maria Callas biopic from the New York Film Festival. Will it be opera gloved thumbs down or opera gloved thumbs up? [@ 40 min] Dresden's rolling in cash, Berlin's broke, and Apple Classical has taken another tiny step towards world domination… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 4 min] We go Inside the Huddle with Vanessa Becerra. The Peruvian and Mexican American soprano is set to make her Chicago Opera Theater debut in the title role of Ferdinando Paer's Leonora. She joins OBS for a frank conversation about how she distinguished herself as an artist and how her Latina identity opened up new opportunities. [@ 37 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…can we get through the segment without naming the patron of Operalia? GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 4 min] It's time to retire George's number. That's right, it's his final episode after nine years as a cohost on the OBS. The team say their goodbyes and reminisce about the good times (and a few of the bad...) [@ 25 min] Then… It's a 'Free Throw' from Javier Camarena who is set to make his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as the Duke in "Rigoletto"... [@ 41 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'… George would come back for one more episode as an encore, but Angela Gheorghiu might object... Season Ten of the OBS starts now! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 4 min] It's a post-Labor Day weekend double header, as we go 'Inside the Huddle' with composer Missy Mazzoli, as she preps to open "The Listeners" at Opera Philadelphia... [@ 33 min] ...and then, for the first time ever, we host a designer on the OBS: it's lighting designer Christine Binder... Set your clocks! Season Ten of the OBS starts on Thursday, September 12... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 5 min] Next month, our Friends of the Show Opera Philadelphia will present the North American premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek's "The Listeners". We go 'Inside the Huddle' with the opera's star, soprano Nicole Heaston... [@ 30 min] Then, in the final inning of OBS Season 9, we peek into 'Listener Mailbag'... [@ 40 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'… Angelina Jolie goes Method and swallows a tapeworm to prepare for her portrayal of La Divina... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

The DNC wreaks havoc on Chicago, and the OBS is not immune! Enjoy these spectacular 'Free Throws' from the OBS archives, with the likes of Isabel Leonard, Lise Davidsen, Julien Prégardien, Enrique Mazzola, Rolando Villazón, and Jonathan Cohen. We're back with an all-new episode next week... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 6 min] The 2024 Summer Olympics are in the books and the 2024 Santa Fe Opera season is winding down. We'll recap our favorite moments of the games, and go 'Inside the Huddle' with soprano Liv Redpath and conductor Roberto Kalb... [@ 1 hour 9 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'… The Yuval Sharon 'Ring' Cycle is announced, as the Lepage “Machine” goes in the recycling bin... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 3 min] It's an ‘Inside the Huddle' double play! First, we welcome Roger Pines, one of Operaland's most accomplished dramaturgs… [@ 21 min] ...and then we speak with baritone Zachary Nelson, currently stealing scenes as Faninal in the Santa Fe Opera production of "Der Rosenkavalier"... [@ 29 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'… Break out the glowsticks: opera meets rave in England... operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 3 min] Our team has Olympic fever! We'll break down the best of operatic performances from the Paris Opening Ceremonies, as well as iconic past showings from previous Olympiads… Yeah, that's right, we're taking it wayyy back to Barcelona… [@ 38 min] In the ‘Two Minute Drill'… He may have been the one to throw The Punch, but it looks like John Eliot Gardner is the one whose career is down for the count… GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 11 min] We go ‘Inside the Huddle' with author Garth Greenwell whose acclaimed debut novel is to be produced as an opera with music by David T. Little and starring Karim Sulayman... [@ 3 min] But first, since we're talking about books, if you're not the type of person who sits down to read, maybe you'd rather experience an opera version. We've got a summer listening list... [@ 47 min] In the ‘Two Minute Drill'… Zarzuela performances are selling out in Madrid and Juan Diego Flórez is recording a zarzuela album... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 5 min] We go 'Inside the Huddle' with Karen Slack, the lirico-spinto soprano who rose to prominence in prima donna roles like Butterfly, Tosca, and Aida, but more and more is in demand as a galvanizing voice for African-American artists working in opera and classical music... [@ 33 min] In the 'Listener Mailbag'... It's a scouting report on emerging artists to hear this summer… [@ 43 min] Plus, in the 'Two Minute Drill'... Laundry tips from Washington National Opera's costume department and a lesson on how to say the 'F' word in Finnish... GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 4 min] Alright, this week we go Inside the Huddle with Greer Grimsley. The American bass-baritone returns to Santa Fe Opera for Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith's "The Righteous," which receives its world premiere on July 13! [@ 33 min] Then…speaking of July 13, this Saturday is the 100th birthday anniversary of Carlo Bergonzi. Musicologist Brad Sisk, a former student of Bergonzi, takes a Free Throw on what made the great Italian tenor a quintessential Verdian. [@ 46 min] There's a Lot going on in France (and not all of it's good), but something good is happening in England. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 5 min] This week…we are halfway through the Major League Baseball season! Which means it's time for us to swap some Trading Cards: American Composer Edition. And there are so many! Copland! Gershwin! Floyd!...(slowing) uh…Dominick Argento… (stammering) uh … Philip Glass? Plus, George sends us another postcard from abroad! What iconic Italian opera house will he call B-tier this time? [@ 47 min] Then…we go Inside the Huddle with Sir Emanuele Andrizzi. The Italian conductor, recently bestowed the rank of Officer of the Knights of the Order of the Star of Italy, is betting on Gian Carlo Menotti as he is set to conduct the Medium for Opera Festival of Chicago. [@ 1h 5 min] Certain artists from a certain country are not having a good news cycle. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore

[@ 3 min] This week…Beyonce might have the most Grammys, but number two ain't bad, especially if it comes with an OBS Hall of Fame nomination. Find out what Hungarian conductor has made the cut for our most prestigious award… [@ 42 min] Then…a field report from Julius Caesar at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, starring friends of the show Emily Pogorelc and Key'mon Murrah. [@ 48 min] In the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Ron De Santis gives Florida the Arts Council England treatment, but worse. So much worse. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 @operaboxscore IG operaboxscore