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Created in 1986 by a team of visionaries, LA Opera has become a leader in artistic innovation, while honoring the great historical legacy of opera. Through the powerful art form of opera, we celebrate the diversity and pioneering spirit of our great city.
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This episode features a live recording of the opening night pre-performance lecture for "Akhnaten," which runs now through March 22 at LA Opera. In this lecture, musicologist and Connects affiliated scholar Dr.Tiffany Kuo takes you on an intellectual journey that is as mesmerizing as the performance itself. Focusing on the symbolism of the heart and the sun, Tiffany talks spells on papyrus and trancelike rhythms. Get your tickets to "Akhnaten" now at LAOpera.org.
In this episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank and critically acclaimed countertenor John Holiday sit down for an intimate interview. Listen in as they identify famous countertenors in popular culture and dish on Philip Glass's "Akhnaten", playing now through March 22—with an added performance on March 21st. With his inimitable spirit, John shares about growing up singing, his unexpected TV debut, and how he's taking care of himself during the run of this production. Get your tickets to Akhnaten now at LAOpera.org.
Internationally acclaimed conductor Dalia Stasevska joins host Gail Eichenthal for a revealing conversation about the sounds, mentors, and moments that shaped her life. From Finland's legendary conducting tradition to the role models who changed her path, Dalia shares what inspires her on and off the podium, including her favorite moment in LA Opera's current production of Philip Glass's Akhnaten. Discover what makes this opera unforgettable, then experience it for yourself. Akhnaten is selling fast, with an additional performance just added on March 21. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.
Celebrated director Phelim McDermott has a long relationship with the opera "Akhnaten." In this episode, McDermott and our host, Gail Eichenthal, explore the "paradox of power and vulnerability" in opera, improvisation as the basis of theatre, and how each performance is different every single night. Join us as we get ready to raise the curtain on "Akhnaten," Philip Glass's tribute to a trailblazing pharaoh on February 28; and with ticket demand at an all-time high, we're adding an extra date on March 21st. You can get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.
In this episode of "Serious Fun With Opera," a "Behind the Curtain" miniseries, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano interviews UCLA's Chair of Musicology, Professor Bob Fink, about musical minimalism--a term that "Philip Glass would not answer to," he says, but that is a "quintessentially American form." They discuss the concepts of trance, aural wallpaper, and the sublime, all swirling around Philip Glass's "Akhnaten', coming up on the LA Opera stage. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.
In this episode, LA Opera Connects affiliated scholar, Dr. Tiffany Kuo, brings you "Opera in the Community," a Behind the Curtain mini-series that pairs each opera in our historic 40th Anniversary Season with an arts organization in Los Angeles. This episode pairs Philip Glass's opera Akhnaten, which is set in ancient Egypt, with The Getty Villa, whose upcoming exhibition synchronicitously features the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. Dr. Kuo's interview with The Getty's Dr. Sara Cole reveals many surprises: that the Book of the Dead isn't really a book... That mummies were often wrapped in writing... And all the secrets of the afterlife! Listen in as they talk sun gods, gold-plated statues, and disrupting the status quo--and then get your tickets for Akhnaten at laopera.org.
On today’s episode, we’ll hear from members of the LA Opera team who lead Opera Camp, one of the ways the company engages young people in opera and performance. Opera Camp is a core part of LA Opera’s approach to meeting people where they are in their love for music, and to preparing the next generation of audience members and artists. For more information on Opera Camp, visit LAOpera.org/OperaCamp.
In this episode, music critic and regular "Detrás del telón" host Gerardo Kleinburg takes us into the world of "Akhnaten" — in his words, "an utterly singular opera unlike any other." Kleinburg's exploration pulls themes from history, art history, and religion to weave a fascinating portrait of the historical figure Akhnaten before taking us into musical minimalism and the surprising world of composer Philip Glass. LA Opera's hypnotic production of "Akhnaten" is playing February 28-March 22. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.
Did you know you can listen to LA Opera podcasts in Spanish? "Detrás del telón" takes you into the world of opera, with hosts including music critic Gerardo Kleinburg and musicologist Dr. Patricia Caicedo. Each episode is presented entirely in Spanish. Find "Detrás del telón" wherever you listen to podcasts or at LAOpera.org/Podcasts.
Following a performance of "West Side Story" earlier this season, LA Opera Connects hosted a special panel on Arts & Health to celebrate the launch of the 2025 Arts and Health Week video series. This conversation touches on the arts as an essential part of personal and community wellness, and features LA Opera Advisor for Special Projects Renée Fleming and soprano Gabriela Reyes in dialogue with community leaders Kristin Sakoda, Sarah Lyding, and Shavonda Webber-Christmas. Interested in learning more about how the arts are vital to healing? Visit LAOpera.org/ArtsandHealth and be sure to save the date for the 5th annual Arts & Health Week Summit on June 12, 2026, information is available at LAOpera.org/Summit.
Recharge your mind, body, and spirit with LA Opera’s Creative Care, a free Zoom series that invites you to experience the healing power of the arts. Led by Connects teaching artists, each online gathering incorporates mindfulness, creative expression, learning, and self-reflection, all rooted in themes from our upcoming performances and other special topics. Rsvp now for our next session highlighting Philip Glass's "Akhnaten" on February 10, 2026. Tap into some inner peace and joy via LAOpera.org/CreativeCare.
In this special look inside the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, LA Opera's Senior Director of Artistic Planning Paul Hopper is joined by Young Artist Emily Damasco. Today, Emily and Paul chat about early opera memories, pierogi pizza, the intersection of arts and health, and the two roles Emily will be singing on the LA Opera mainstage this season in "Akhnaten" and "The Magic Flute." You can get your tickets to see this young soprano soar at LAOpera.org.
In this special look inside the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, we're featuring Young Artist Vinícius Costa, a bass from São Paulo, Brazil, who is singing three roles on the LA Opera main stage this season. Listen in as he chats with LA Opera's Paul Hopper about his musical origin story, first impressions of the American vocal scene, and visions for the future of his career. Catch this Young Artist on stage in "Akhnaten," "Falstaff," and "The Magic Flute." Tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.
On this episode of "Behind the Curtain," UCLA scholar and musicologist Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano returns with another installment of "Serious Fun with Opera." She turns the pages of "La Bohème" all the way back to Henri Murger's original source material, immersing us in 1800's Paris and paying special attention to muses Mimì and Musetta. Enjoy this literary journey and be sure to get your tickets to "La Bohème" at LAOpera.org.
In this second episode of "Opera in the Community," musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo uses the lens of "La Bohème" to speak with three arts leaders and artist advocates —Asuka Hisa, who walks us through the exhibits at ICA LA; Mackenzie Royce, who shares about the affordable housing and work space rental programs at ArtShare LA; and artist Fatima Burns, who talks about the importance of having a safe place to create. Dr. Kuo shows us that although times can still be tough for the creative class, we've come a long way from the starving artist days of "La Bohème" to having robust institutional support for artists, right here in Los Angeles. Don't miss Puccini's blockbuster opera, get your tickets to "La Bohème" now at LAOpera.org.
In this episode—an excerpt from our Exploring Opera series— LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank guides you through the musical moments of "La Bohème." Join Jeremy as he shares his wealth of knowledge about Puccini and the arias of Mimì and Musetta and all of your favorite bohemians. Don't miss this classic opera, and be sure to catch Jeremy Frank one hour before each performance in Stern Grand Hall for our popular pre-performance lectures. Tickets to "La Bohème" are available now at LAOpera.org.
On today's episode of "Behind the Curtain," LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with "La Bohème" star Janai Brugger. Follow Janai's journey all the way back to the start as she shares spectacular stories about following her dreams, approaching opera as an actor, balancing work and family, and her unbelievable experience at the Operalia competition. She also shares her approach to embodying Mimì, a role debut and the timeless beauty of "La Bohème." Get your tickets to this lavish production of "La Bohème," playing November 22 through December 14, at LAOpera.org.
On this episode of "Behind the Curtain," Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal is joined by international director of opera and theater Brenna Corner. They discuss the addiction that is opera, the grandness of the operatic scale, advice for aspiring singers and directors, and, of course, "La Bohème." Dig deep into Brenna's directorial process here on Behind the Curtain, and then get your tickets to this timeless story, playing November 22 through December 14 at LAOpera.org.
In this episode of "Behind the Curtain," Richard Seaver Music Director Maestro James Conlon compares and contrasts Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" and Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," painting a lively picture of 19th-century France. From consumptive heroines to young lovers in strife, these operas tug at our heartstrings while maintaining a timeless relevance. Experience the drama of "La Bohème" from November 22 through December 14 at LA Opera. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.
Welcome back to Behind the Curtain's mini series, 20 Years with Maestro Conlon, in which Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Maestro James Conlon to discuss his legacy here at LA Opera. In this episode, we explore Italian opera—Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, and beyond—touching on bel canto and what makes a 'perfect opera.' Get your tickets now for Puccini's "La Bohème" and Verdi's "Falstaff" at LAOpera.org.
On today's exciting episode of "Behind the Curtain," Classical KUSC's Gail Eichenthal sits down with Beth Morrison, the visionary behind Beth Morrison Projects. BMP's "Hildegard" is coming up at LA Opera's Off Grand series, November 5-9 at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. A world premiere, Hildegard is the first opera from Composer and Librettist Sarah Kirkland Snider, whose compositions have been hailed as “rapturous” by the New York Times, and “ravishingly beautiful” by NPR. Beth and Gail chat all things inspiration and collaboration, from bringing opera into the 21st century to the phone call that started it all. Get your tickets for "Hildegard" at LAOpera.org.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera with film archivist Alejandra Espasande as she interviews three of the leading experts on this horror classic, including Emmy Award-winning make-up artist and the definitive biographer on Lon Chaney himself, Michael F. Blake. Set your Halloween plans now and get your tickets to The Phantom of the Opera at LAOpera.org.
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