Phillip Gainsley's Podcast

Karita Mattila continues to captivate audiences worldwide in a career spanning more than four decades. The Finnish soprano is celebrated for her compelling dramatic portrayals and acclaimed interpretations of 20th-century and contemporary repertoire.In 2026/27, Karita returns to Finland for an opening concert with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, an 80th Anniversary Gala with the Tampere Philharmonic, and continues with debuts at the Verbier Festival in Salome, as Herodias, and the Sarasota Opera in Jenůfa, as Kostelnička.Last season, Karita appeared in the closing concert of the Sibelius Festival in Lahti and a recital in Iitti, Finland, and led masterclasses at the Finnish National Opera. She also returned to the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the Dresdin Philharmonie for concert performances of Elektra, as Klytämnestra.  Her distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Order of the Lion of Finland (First Class Commander), Musical America’s Musician of the Year, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for her performances in Jenůfa (Kostelnička) and The Makropulos Case (Emilia Marty).Karita Mattila studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Liisa Linko-Malmio and later with Vera Rózsa. A sought-after mentor, she has recently led masterclasses at the Peabody Institute, Lauluakatemia Helsinki, the Birgit Nilsson Museum, Wigmore Hall in partnership with the Sibelius Academy and Keval Shah, and Savonlinna Music Academy.

It’s homecoming time on the main stage of Chanhassen Dinner Theaters.  Tamara Kangas Erickson returns to the theater as president and artistic director 45 years after starring as one of the von Trapp Family Singers in The Sound of Music.Tamara and the late Michael Brindisi forged a strong artistic partnership beginning in 2004, with her first serving as  resident choreographer on Michael’s artistic team, when he was president and artistic director. Together, they collaborated on more than 50 musical productions at Chanhassen.  Tamara has also directed productions for Chanhassen such as Musical of Musicals: The Musical and Respect: The Musical Journey of Women. Her recent directing credits also include Little Women, for Artistry, and the Off-Broadway production of This One’s for the Girls. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is the nation’s largest professional dinner theatre. Since 1968 it has hosted nearly 13 million visitors. It is a fully-professional, producing musical theater company.   I'm so happy Tamara could join me, as the company opens its production of Annie.

Quinn Kelsey has been called “the premier Verdi baritone of his generation” His Rigoletto has become the standard.His mastery of Verdi’s baritone roles extends far beyond Rigoletto.  He has contributed his artistry to the title roles in Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra, and Falstaff, as well as Renato in Un ballo in maschera, Il Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore, Amonasro in Aida, Germont in La traviata, and Don Carlo in Ernani. While Verdi forms the cornerstone of Kelsey’s artistry, his versatility as a performer is evident in his ability to shine in other repertoire. He has achieved great success in a number of career-defining roles, including his richly-sung Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème and his darkly compelling interpretation of Scarpia in Tosca,He made his debut at The Royal Danish Opera, singing the title role in Verdi’s Macbeth in concert and now is due to repeat the role at the Metropolitan Opera.Quinn appeared with his hometown opera company, Hawaii Opera Theatre, for the world premiere of Herb Mahelona’s Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree.Quinn’s artistry has earned him numerous accolades, including The Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award in 2015 and the prestigious Opera News Award in 2022. He was a finalist of the Plácido Domingo Operalia Competition in 2004, and represented the United States in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 2005.

Gary William Friedman is a versatile composer best known for his groundbreaking score for the TONY nominated, OBIE Award winning musical The Me Nobody Knows.In addition to the theater, his music spans the genres of jazz, film, symphonic and liturgical works. His orchestral, operatic and dance works have been commissioned and performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lancaster Music Festival, the Columbus Symphony, The Festival at Sandpoint, Idaho, and Encompass New Opera Theatre. In addition to scoring features and highly acclaimed television films, he served as music director for television's The Electric Company, for which he wrote many songs including the popular "Spider Man Theme Song".

Bill McLaughlin was a classical music radio host, a music educator, a musicologist, a composer and a conductor.  He was a Peabody Award–winning classical music radio host. In 1980, he launched the popular St. Paul Sunday Morning on NPR.  Later he hosted Exploring Music, heard on the WFMT network.  He was known for his ingratiating personality. Bill was also a professional orchestra musician, over three decades as a conductor, and a decade as a composer.Trained as a trombonist, Bill took up conducting in1969 after completing a Master of Music degree in conducting at Temple University, studying under Robert Page. He also worked with William R. Smith, associate conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the esteemed Max Rudolf. He had stints with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony, leaving his mark wherever he served.