The Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera)

A Pirate King and “Modern Major-General” are just the beginning of the farcical fun in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. From patter songs to anecdotes about Savoy operas and the premiere of this cult classic, the Ghost Light Podcasts co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts give you what you need to know about the upcoming Utah Opera production.

What do British baking shows and opera have in common? Find out in the latest episode of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Ghost Light Podcast.

Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down after the first rehearsal of Utah Opera's production of Puccini's “Tosca” with two of the principal artists. Soprano Katie Van Kooten, who is performing the role of Floria Tosca for the first time, and Stephen Powell who has played Scarpia on a number of occasions. Hear these artists discuss what goes into the preparation involved with learning a new role or keeping a familiar role fresh. The two artists also have ideas for what story they'd like to see set as an opera. Find out what they are in the newest episode of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's Ghost Light Podcast.

Utah Opera invites you to witness one of opera's most intense dramas. She's a singer, he's a painter and they're both trying to avoid the cops. Fiery young diva Floria Tosca is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her freedom-fighting lover and a corrupt police chief whose lust for her dominates his faith. The story's heart-stopping conclusion lands tragically under the Roman skyline. The leap is LEGEND. The Ghost Light Podcast co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a behind the scenes look into Utah Opera's production of Puccini's “Tosca.”

Composer Arlene Sierra recently sat down with the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss her residency with the symphony upcoming artist in residency with the Utah Symphony in April 2022. Arlene discusses her roots in electronic music and the journey back to composing acoustical music. Arlene studied electronic music composition at Oberlin, and found that the electronic music classes fascinating for her composition sensitivities. But although she loved the experience she looked forward to opportunities to get back in collaboration with live musicians. In April, Arlene will spend a few weeks in Utah working with the Utah Symphony in an American debut of Nature Symphony and a world premiere of Bird Symphony, a piece the Utah Symphony commissioned. She will also work with the Utah Youth Symphony in preparing a paired down version of Nature Symphony. Arlene was also asked about her perspective, as an American composer living and working abroad, about the representation shift in both living and female composers. You may know that Arlene and her husband are both composers. What's their secret to keeping their personal and professional lives in balance? Find out on Episode 6 of the Ghost Light Podcast.

Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with John Holiday prior to his Utah Opera debut in his signature role in Jonathan Dove and April de Angelis' Flight. Many, not familiar with the opera world will know John Holiday from season 19 of NBC's The Voice. John is one of the most sought-after countertenors (a cis-male that sings in a mezzo-soprano range) in the opera scene. John shares anecdotes about his career as an artist and educator in a pandemic world. One of the gems of the discussion was around John's TEDx talk, “The Monsters Under My Bed,” that focuses on family dynamics and how you can find your worth, despite the situation. You can find that talk here: https://www.johnholiday.com/media# Does John have a story that he would like to see set as an opera? Find out in this amazing conversation with John Holiday.

Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts discuss the comedy, energy, music, and emotion of a colorful cast living out an unexpected overnight delay. John Holiday from season 19 of NBC's The Voice makes his Utah Opera debut in his signature role in the opera that has entertained audiences around the world and speaks to us of the realities of our shared humanity – Jonathan Dove and April de Angelis' critically acclaimed opera, Flight.

We interview a LOT of composers on the podcast. But many of the composers we'd like to interview are no longer with us. So we're forced to talk about them instead. Jeff and Carol discuss the creation of Brahms' Symphony No. 4 in this Deep Dive episode.

What does Mr. Rogers, the flute, music education, passing out on stage, and the Utah Symphony have in common? Guest soloist DeMarre McGill. While a guest soloist with the Utah Symphony in May 2021, Seattle Symphony principal flutist DeMarre McGill joined co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson. They discuss the state of the classical music world, what it's like growing up in a musical family (his brother is the principal clarinet for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra), his advice to young musicians, and a story of a time when he fainted on stage DURING a performance. Hear their conversation on the first episode of season six of the Ghost Light Podcast.

Vocal Coach Nova Thomas joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss operatic voice types and the Fach system.

Pinchus Zukerman sits down with the Ghost Light Podcast.

Israeli director Omer Ben Saedia joined the Ghost Light Podcast prior to the opening of Utah Opera's production of Peter Brook's “La tragedie de Carmen” to discuss her thoughts about the current state of the world of opera.

Just prior to the recording of the upcoming USUO: On Demand performance with the Utah Symphony, guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas joined the Ghost Light Podcast. In Pablo's mind the guitar is an instrument that transcends borders. It's “an expression of diversity.” From the Troubadour tradition to flamenco, blues, jazz, and bluegrass, and so many other genres, the guitar is a unifying instrument because of its versatility. School and community outreach are an important element of Pablo's career and mission. “I do what I do because I believe and have experienced a better world through music in our lives. Music is a perfect vehicle to tell stories, transmit values, erase borders, celebrate diversity, and bring people together by sharing our emotions.” As a child of parents who were teachers, the concept of changing the world around in you in whatever way you can was a major theme in his youth. As a young guitarist he found joy in playing in venues such as nursing homes. “We have the opportunities as musicians to humanize settings that would ordinarily be harsh.” In 2006 Pablo Sáinz Villegas founded the philanthropic project “The legacy of music without borders.” Whose mission is to bring music to people as a mean to humanize their environment and promote understanding between different cultures. Thanks to this project he has shared his music with more than 32,000 children and youth in Spain, Mexico, and United States. “When I play in Tijuana or any other place in the world I share music the same way I would share it in a place like Carnegie Hall. To me there is no difference. Only the wrapping on the building.” Pablo brings his excitement about life to the musical stage, making him an audience favorite here in Utah and around the world. Listen to his interview here, and look for his performance with the Utah Symphony at USUO: On Demand.

Voice actor Carin Gilfry joins the Ghost Light Podcast to her journey from pursuing a career as an opera singer to a career voicing thousands of commercials, instructional videos, IVR systems, eLearning programs, documentaries, video games, and audiobooks. Carin's voice may be familiar for fans of USUO in the Wasatch Front. You'll hear her voice in our radio and tv ads.

Utah Opera Senior Technical Director, Jared Porter joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss what goes on behind the scenes of an opera production.

Just prior to the opening night of Utah Opera's production of Utah Opera's October 2020 production, soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer joined the Ghost Light Podcast. Wendy Bryn was born in California, but grew up in Bountiful, Utah. Her career has taken her to New York and the Metropolitan Opera, and around the world to play roles as a dramatic soprano. She was slated to make her Utah Opera debut in fall 2020 playing the role of Senta in Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Due to circumstances of the pandemic, that production was cancelled and replaced by Francis Poulenc's The Human Voice, a monodrama based on the fictional story of Elle, and her sung conversation with an ex-lover who will soon be married to another woman. Harmer notes that learning and memorizing a new role was not what she planned for 2020, but was grateful for the opportunity to be on the Capitol Theater stage. The pandemic has hit the vocal musician community especially hard, especially here in the US where most professional singers have been sidelined for months. Ms Harmer finds that she is uniquely equipped to manage the isolation and expectations in an ever-changing world due to her recent battle with ovarian cancer. What topic would she like to be see be made into an opera? Has Wendy Bryn seen a ghost? Find out in the latest episode of the Ghost Light Podcast.

In the second episode in a mini-series about the pivots brought on by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Jonathan Miles joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss how USUO's marketing strategy changed for the 2020-21 season. Music from this episode: • Finale from Igor Stravinsky's "Octet for Wind Instruments" • George Walker's "Lyric for Strings" • Andrew Norman's "Switch" • Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben"

In the first of a mini-series about the pivots brought on by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USUO Education Team sat down with the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss how the education offerings of the company have been re-envisioned in the last 6 months and going forward.

Changes/Transitions' is a commission written by Quinn Mason to commemorate the Black Lives Matter movement. The composer sits down with Principal Trombone, Mark Davidson and the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss the origins of the piece and its place in the current social climate.

Get to know the new President and CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera of Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson introduce Steven Brosvik.

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a look behind the scenes into the world of classical music and the artists who make it.

Associate Concertmaster Kathryn Eberle sits down with Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, pandemic life, and MOTUS Meets.

One of the interviews from the 80th Birthday Celebration featured Nick and Claudia Norton. The, now retired, couple share their memories of Maurice Abravanel, the 2002 Olympics, National and European tours, the opening of Abravanel Hall, and the Utah Symphony as a match-making organization.

African-American soprano Nicole Heaston joins Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss musical life during quarantine, the Purple Robe Series, and a story she'd like to see turned into an opera.

Utah Opera resident artist Brandon Bell joins Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss people of color in prominent opera roles and a topic that he'd like to see made into an opera.

In this episode of the Ghost Light podcast, Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Concert Master Madeline Adkins and Principal Trumpet Travis Peterson about the the behind the scenes planning and execution of creating the Utah Symphony's 80th Birthday Celebration video. Watch the celebration here: https://youtu.be/pK_zWvJjMJc

Co-Host Carol Anderson interviews Utah Opera favorite Baritone Michael Chioldi. Michael discusses his Metropolitan Opera debut, his Park City Utah connection, Life as an opera singer on the road, and his "second act" as a performer/teacher. And of course - a ghost story.

Utah Symphony principal percussionist Keith Carrick joins the Ghost Light podcast to discuss his experiences as a symphonic percussionist.

The final episode in the mini-series: Music That Heals. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down with Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth to discuss how the COVID-19 restrictions have affected opera companies across the country.

Co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Utah Opera Supernumeraries Dominic Barsi and Steve Moga. They discuss their insights and experiences as "supers" for Utah Opera productions.

A follow-up episode to the Music That Heals episode. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera musicians, staff, and patrons share their experiences with music in troubling times.

In response to symphony and opera halls closing for a short time due to the COVID-19 virus restrictions, co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson, discuss some historical moments where music played a major role.

Co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Jason Hardink, Utah Symphony Principal Pianist. They discuss the Utah Symphony's performance of Olivier Messiaen's Des Canyons aux Étoiles. The twelve-movement work musically describes the southwest Utah scenery from the red rock country to the birds that inhabit the region. Does Jason have a Ghost Light experience?

Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts interview Michaella Calzaretta, Utah Opera Chorus Master. They discuss the role of the chorus in opera, her role as a chorus master, a story she'd like to set as an opera, and a Ghost Light experience.

Host Carol Anderson interviews Getro Joseph, a Haitian cellist that traveled to Salt Lake City with musicians from the Utah Symphony.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview the creators of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winning Opera, Silent Night

Director Tomer Zvulun discusses Utah Opera's upcoming production of Kevin Puts and Mark Campell's "Silent Night." The Israeli-born director also discusses his time serving as a medic, reveals what stories he would like to see given an operatic treatment, and more!

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview guest conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview guest conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto.

Mr. McBeth joined Utah Opera as Artistic Administrator in the fall of 2000, he was promoted to Opera Artistic Director in the spring of 2003 following the historic merger of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera in July 2002. During his time with Utah Opera, Mr. McBeth has overseen more than 70 productions and co-productions. Christopher joins Ghost Light Podcast host, Carol Anderson, for an interview that covered McBeth's personal music journey, and how he came to be the Artistic Director for Utah Opera, he explains what an Artistic Director does, and shares his Ghost Light experience. The Utah Opera's next performance is Silent Night. January 18-26, 2020 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theater. This contemporary work depicts the Christmas Truce during World War I. Tickets available at UtahOpera.org.

Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts discuss popular myths that often keep potential symphony or opera patrons from coming to a performance.

Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts interview Daniel Charon, Artistic Director of the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. They discuss the dance tradition in Utah, collaboration with other art forms, the Utah Opera production of La Traviata, a story he'd like to set to dance, and a Ghost Light experience.

Host Jeff Counts introduces our new co-host - Carol Anderson, principal opera coach for the Utah Opera. Jeff and Carol tease season four of the Ghostlight Podcast.

Spike 150 Opera Commissions–Season 3, Ep. 7–Principal Coach Carol Anderson, Composer Jacob Lee, and Director Omer Ben Seadia talk about Utah Opera's Commissioned Opera project featuring four, 10-minute operas in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Conner Gray Covington–Season 3, Ep. 6 – Associate Conductor Conner Gray Covington talks about the variety of works that a conductor must be prepared for, his current favorite composers, and his extensive work in the education program with Utah Symphony.

James Lowe- Season 3, Ep. #5 –Renowned Opera Conductor James Lowe talks about Utah Opera's new production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's The Little Prince, working with youth in leading opera roles, and the hope he sees in a new era of opera.

Baiba Skride- Season 3, Ep. 4- World-renowned violinist, Baiba Skride talks about playing on the Yfrah Neaman Stradivarius, being able to perform with her sister, and her upcoming commissions.

Garnett Bruce- Season 3 Ep. #3- Prominent American Opera Director, Garnett Bruce talks about the legacy of Leonard Bernstein and his operetta sensation Candide.

Carol Anderson- Season 3, Ep. 2- Principal Coach of the Utah Opera, Carol Anderson talks about all the work that goes into preparing for an opera production and in her excitement for new opera.

Season 3, Episode # 1- In this special, "live" Ghost Light Podcast, Jeff talks with renowned composer Andrew Norman about the evolving landscape of music from his earlier works to his latest commission: Suspend a fantasy for piano and orchestra.

Conductor Edwin Outwater talks about the new creative concert experience and the current state of Classical performance.