Flipping the table on all things opera. We're a lady-run podcast which discusses all aspects of the world of opera. Stay tuned for in-depth conversations, exciting interviews, book reviews, and a lot of fun.
Though currently far apart, Emily and Lidi wanted to keep the magic of the podcast going until season 2 officially begins in spring by doing short mini-episodes called Intermezzi. In the first Intermezzi, Emily and Lydia discuss their singing resolutions for 2019, and give you hints into what's coming for season 2. What are your singing resolutions?
In the Season 1 Finale, Lidi and Emily discuss what they’ve learned, examine some new perspectives, and look toward the future. Plus, Hogwarts meets Handel!We’ll be back in spring 2019 with more exciting content! In the meantime, look out for our Intermezzi, coming soon!
This week, Lidi and Emily sit down with Carami Hilaire and discuss opera, her jazz career, how we use our instruments, literature, and hydration. Buy Mimi’s album here! http://mimijazz.com/album/ Full Lyric, Spinto Soprano, Carami Hilaire, praised for her, “marvelous sound, rich and luscious,” is poised to launch as an international contender in the principal, Verdi, Puccini, and Verismo soprano repertoire. The Soprano is quickly becoming known for her “resonantly burnished bottom, and full throttled high notes with easily dispensed high Cs." Upcoming this fall, Carami joins the Metropolitan Opera Guild to perform excerpts from, Tosca, one of her signature roles, as well as well as her first Musetta in La Boheme, also in New York. Another titular heroine that Carami is very much at home, is that of Aida, where it was written that, “Hilaire’s intimate phrasing floated over the tumult of the strings, and in the moments where her voice soared, she earned the applause which nearly brought the show to a stop." Carami is also becoming equally versed in select Wagnerian roles, as she has received awards from the Wagner Society of New York and has sung with the Internationale Opernwerkstatt throughout Switzerland. She has also been recognized by the Hans Gabor Belvedere, the Julian Autrey, and Premiere Opera International Vocal Competitions. The uniquely soulful Soprano hailing from Brooklyn, New York, has received formal training at theaters like Teatro Nuovo, Loft Opera, New Jersey Verismo Opera, Sarasota Opera, Saratoga Opera, and has earned a Professional Studies Diploma from the Mannes School of Music.
Emily and Lidi sit down to talk with soprano Sharon Harms about contemporary music, the future of the arts and more! Praised as "superb", "luscious-toned", "extraordinarily precise and expressive", and "dramatically committed and not averse to risk" by the New York Times, young American soprano Sharon Harms is known for fearless performances and passionate interpretations of works new and old for the recital, concert, and operatic stage. Sharon has premiered the music of some of today's leading composers and her repertoire spans a versatile spectrum of periods and styles. Upcoming projects include collaborations with the Moving Sounds Festival, composer Nina C.Young, Argento Chamber Ensemble, harpist Emily Levin, Ensemble Échappé, the University of Notre Dame, and composer Adam Roberts. She has recorded with the Albany, Bridge, and Innova labels. www.sharonharms.com
Can we separate the art from the artist? Emily and Lidi try and answer this question, discuss problematic artists and the art they create and try and decide for themselves which way their moral compass points. Nicholas Pallesen (badass transformational coach) https://www.nicholaspallesen.com/
Emily and Lidi continue their book club journey and talk about Molto Agitato: The Mayhem Behind the Music at the Metropolitan Opera by Johanna Fiedler.
Summer is officially here! Time to break out the sunscreen, and let the overwhelming sense of panic sink in because its Summer Program Season! Emily and Lidi discuss the ins and outs of summer programs, how to survive them, and practical tips to prepare yourself.
Let's hear it for the boys! Emily and Lidi continue their discussion of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Special guest appearance by Oreo the Podcat. . . . Lucas Meachem’s blog post about singing Don Giovanni: https://thebaritoneblog.com/2017/04/12/how-i-role-my-view-on-operas-bad-boy-don-giovanni/ . . Lidi’s pick for Don Giovanni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ48O0CH5gM&t=2445s . . Emily's pick for Don Giovanni but she can't find how to buy it anywhere: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1465491/
In this 2-part episode, Lidi and Emily discuss the ultimate operatic creep with a title, Don Giovanni though a modern feminist lens.
Lidi sits down with Tom Corbeil to talk about his career: his non- traditional path to opera, graduating from young artist to mainstage singer, and moving on. Plus, random audience feedback and sweatpants appreciation. Tom Corbeil, bass-baritone, sang in opera houses around North America for approximately 10 years. Known particularly for his work in Mozart and Britten operas, he also performed as Lurch in the first national tour of The Addams Family Musical. After a decade in the biz, he switched careers to work in the field of public health. These days, he is a biostatistician at Columbia University, where is works on research projects related to mental health. In this episode, Tom mentions: https://actorsfund.org/
This episode, Emily and Lidi talk about taking care of your instrument, body positivity as a practice, and how all of that fits into being a singer. *There are way more intuitive eating/anti-diet resources out there! Please let us know if you would like more information, and we'll be happy to hook you up! The two linked to below are the ones that have most inspired and influenced Emily in her journey. **We are just beginning our research/talks into body positivity, health, and singing. Please forgive us any mistakes and please let us know so we may learn for the future! Links: The F It Diet: https://thefuckitdiet.com/home/ Christy Harrison: https://christyharrison.com/ Yoga with Adriene- http://yogawithadriene.com/
Emily and Lidi chat with historical keyboardist and conductor Dylan Sauerwald about early music, collaboration, and the huge amount of music that is baroque opera. Plus, two new pieces you didn't know you needed to hear! Dylan Sauerwald is a distinctive historical keyboardist and conductor. At the keyboard, he has been praised for his “fleet fingers” and “sophisticated playing,” (Capriccio), and as a conductor, his productions have been called “heart-wrenching and self-reflecting” (OperaWire). As a recording artist, Mr. Sauerwald can be heard on the New Focus, Coro, and Urtext labels. A champion of early opera, he has led productions of rarely-performed works acclaimed as “refined and flexible,” (Boston Globe) “fearless,” (Voce di Meche) and “a remarkable musical experience” (OperaWire). He is in demand as a guest conductor, appearing with ensembles opera companies across the US and Canada. He holds degrees from McGill University and Boston University. Charpentier: David et Jonathas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si3yeJF-gnk Rameau: Les Boréades- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlVsEnOpCao&t=6134s
Emily and Lidi review and discuss Deborah Voight's highly vulnerable, open, and engaging memoir Call Me Debbie in our first Book Club Episode! Purchase Call Me Debbie from publisher Harper Collins : https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062118295/call-me-debbie
Today on the podcast Emily and Lidi sit down for an in-depth conversation with artistic manager Justin Werner! Justin Werner is an operatic professional with extensive experience in production, education, and artist representation. Mr. Werner founded Stratagem Artists in 2018, which cultivates and represents a select roster of classical singers. Between 2014-2018, Mr. Werner was a co-founder and artist manager at Couret & Werner (C&W) Artist Management. Mr. Werner gained his initial Artist Management experience at IMG Artists, where he served as an Artist Management intern. Mr. Werner was the founder and Artistic Director of New York Opera Exchange (2011–2015), which afforded numerous opportunities for emerging singers, directors, and designers to mount critically acclaimed productions. According to Opera Today, "Artistic Director Justin Werner manages to infect others with his enthusiasm through sheer force of charisma and passion." Additionally, Mr. Werner founded the Independent Student Opera Initiative at Boston University. A valued advisor for emerging artists, Mr. Werner is a frequent panelist for Opera America's Career Blueprints and Feedback Audition programs. He has presented masterclasses and workshops for institutions such as Emerging Leaders of New York Arts (ELNYA), the Yale School of Music, Boston University, the New York Opera Alliance, and the Seagle Music Colony. In 2018, Mr. Werner will serve on the juries of the McCammon Vocal Competition, the MetroWest Vocal Competition, and the Classical Singer Vocal Competition. Mr. Werner earned his BM in Vocal Performance from Boston University and his Advanced Certificate in Vocal Performance from the Aaron CoplandSchool of Music at Queens College.
Content warning: today's episode contains sensitive material. Today, Emily and Lydia talk about sexual misconduct in opera. They discuss how the culture in the opera industry can partially contribute to these issues, as well as concrete steps to take to prevent them. Emily also mentions Cindy Sadler's article about sexual harassment in opera, as published in Classical Singer Magazine- https://csmusic.net/blog/sexual-harassment/ Emily and Lydia are howlin at: Lydia- Joyful Heart Foundation- http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/ Emily- Judge Rosemarie Aquillina. http://www.upworthy.com/judge-aquilina-was-iconic-during-the-nassar-trial-and-deserves-a-major-round-of-applause Read her full statement here- https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/judge-rosemarie-aquilina-full-statement/index.html Some of Judge Aquillina's remarks to victims as they testified- https://www.glamour.com/story/judge-rosemarie-aquilina-most-powerful-quotes-nassar-hearings If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sex crime or sexual harassment, the following resources might be helpful: RAINN- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network : https://www.rainn.org National Street Harassment Hotline- http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/our-work/nationalshhotline/ To report sexual abuse to AGMA, follow the instructions in the link below. You must use your name in the report, but it will not be disclosed: https://www.musicalartists.org/faq-help/help-page/report-sexual-harassment/
We open with two singers meeting in the Halls of NOLA, and then swiftly move to pouring a glass of red wine! Emily and Lidi discuss the ins and outs of rejection season, and how to deal with it. Articles mentioned in the blog! https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alicia/5-reasons-why-you-should-_7_b_5943162.html *Correction! Emily said Alicia Green wrote the article, but Alicia Glenn wrote the article! My apologies to Ms. Glenn!* https://bostonsingersresource.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/dont-take-it-personally-part-two-why-you-got-rejected/ http://gildedwithin.com/blog/ Howlin' At: Lidi: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/03/royal-opera-house-tenor-rejects-face-sexual-violence-against/ Emi: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/02/italy-gives-world-famous-opera-carmen-defiant-new-ending-stand/
Today on the pod, Lydia and Emily discuss audition anxiety and methods for combatting it. Plus, funny audition stories, Nola bitches, and an update on peppermint mochas. http://gildedwithin.com/
Emily and Lydia discuss fashion, preparing audition repertoire, offer a few shout-outs, and and continue their quest to book Rolando Villazon on the podcast. For more fabulous Body Positivity- we're listening to the AMAZING podcast- She's All Fat Brands list: ASOS Curve: http://us.asos.com/women/curve-plus-size/cat/?cid=9577 JessaKae: https://jessakae.com/ Eloquii: https://www.eloquii.com/ Unique Vintag: https://www.unique-vintage.com/