Opera Road Trip

Polish opera takes centre stage in this episode of Opera Road Trip. From Warsaw to Kraków, Gdańsk and Poznań, Sebastian F. Schwarz explores how Poland built one of Europe's most resilient and decentralised operatic ecosystems. Introduced at the royal court in the 17th century, opera became a powerful tool of national identity — especially during the 19th century partitions. Stanisław Moniuszko's Halka, Straszny dwór and Hrabina established a Polish operatic canon that still defines the repertoire today. In the 20th century, Karol Szymanowski's Król Roger reimagined Polish identity through myth and modernism, Krzysztof Penderecki expanded operatic sound into radical new territories, and Mieczysław Weinberg's Pasażerka confronted memory, exile and trauma. The episode features Boris Kudlička, General Director of the Polish National Opera; soprano Olga Pasychnik; and director Sir David Pountney, whose productions have helped bring Polish repertoire to international audiences via OperaVision. Poland emerges as a living operatic culture — balancing heritage, innovation and international collaboration across four centuries. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz, whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-President of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. He currently serves as Casting Manager of Teatro alla Scala , Milan. All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operavision-podcasts Music extracts for this episode: Introduction: Fidelio (Ludwig van Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Two excerpts from Hrabina – The Countess (Stanisław Moniuszko) Halka's aria from Halka (Stanisław Moniuszko): Julianna Grigorian, Grand Prize Winner, International Stanisław Moniuszko Voice Competition 2022 Roxana's aria from Król Roger (Karol Szymanowski): Olga Pasychnik Sneak preview from Dorian Gray (Elżbieta Sikora), world premiere Poznań, 2025   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as performances unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows — including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connoisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.  

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian F. Schwarz turns to Croatia as a revealing case study for the operatic realities of smaller European countries. Blessed with one of the most striking Mediterranean coastlines and internationally known cities such as Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia attracts nearly five times as many visitors each year as it has inhabitants. Yet this global visibility is highly seasonal and geographically concentrated — while the country's operatic infrastructure functions largely inland, year-round, and far from the tourist gaze. The episode argues that Croatia exemplifies a broader structural paradox: strong national institutions, permanent ensembles, and a rich operatic tradition operating under conditions of limited scale, modest international visibility, and constant pressure to justify public funding. Tracing the development of opera from Austro-Hungarian and Italian influences through the Yugoslav period and into the present, the discussion shows how history, politics, and geography continue to shape artistic life today. Alongside historical context, the episode features voices from within the Croatian operatic ecosystem — Iva Hraste-Sočo, general and artistic director of the Croatian National Theatre, Diana Haller and Marko Mimica, two Croatian born and raised and internationally sought-after singers— reflecting on training, career paths, international mobility, and the delicate balance between national repertoire and the international canon. Croatia emerges not as a peripheral operatic culture, but as a concentrated laboratory for many of the questions currently facing opera across Europe.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav... Music extracts for Episode 6: Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Two excerpts from Judita (Frano Parać): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025 Excerpt from Ero s onoga svijeta – Ero the Joker (Jakov Gotovac): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025 D'Oreste, d'Ajace from Idomeneo (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart): Diana Haller,  Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2025 Nella pace del mesto riposo from Maria Stuarda (Gaetano Donizetti): Diana Haller, Croatian National Theatre Varaždin, 2026 Bonus: Final chorus from Nikola Šubić Zrinjski (Ivan pl. Zajc): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025  OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian Schwarz turns the spotlight from national operatic traditions to a crucial gateway for emerging artists: singing competitions. Against the backdrop of increasingly opaque casting processes, the episode explores why competitions continue to play a decisive — and controversial — role in operatic careers today. Schwarz is joined by key figures from some of Europe's most influential competitions, including Beata Klatka (Stanisław Moniuszko International Vocal Competition, Warsaw), Lars Flaaten (Queen Sonja Singing Competition, Oslo), and Andrew Watts (International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch). They discuss what distinguishes serious, transparent competitions from flawed or purely instrumental ones, and how juries actually think. The episode also features first-hand perspectives from internationally active singers Kristina Mkhitaryan and Shira Patchornik, reflecting on how competitions shaped their careers — for better and for worse. Through live excerpts, career data, and candid discussion, this episode offers young singers realistic insight, practical guidance, and a nuanced view of competitions as one — but not the only — path into the operatic profession.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 5:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72   Cisza dokoła from Straszny Dwor – The haunted manor (Stanisław Moniouszko): Samuel Stopford, Stanisław Moniouszko International Vocal Competition, 2025   Das war sehr gut, Mandryka from Arabella (Richard Strauss): Kathleen O'Mara, Queen Sonja Singing Competition, 2025   Non so le tetre immagini from Il Corsaro (Giuseppe Verdi): Kristina Mkhitaryan,  Valencia       Mon cœur s'ouvre a ta voix from Samson et Dalila (Camille Saint Saens): Claudia Ribas, International Voice Competition s'Hertogenbosch, 2024   Se pietà per me non senti from Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Georg Friedrich Händel): Shira Patchornik, International Singing competition for Baroque Opera Pietro Antonio Cesti, 2021       OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.     ABOUT OPERA ROAD TRIP Opera Road Trip is OperaVision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip's fourth episode is dedicated to opera in Vienna. We hear from Kristine Tornquist and Jury Everhartz, founders and directors of Sirene Operntheater about the work of the independent opera companies and their newest opera Abendsonne, set in a retirement home. We speak with Stefan Herheim, Intendant of Theater an der Wien about his thoughts on running an opera house. 200 years ago, Vienna's most prominent music critic Eduard Hanslick was born – known for his scathing reviews especially of Richard Wagner's work. Time to have a look at the role of the critic – back then and today - with Vienna's leading music journalist and critic Walter Weidringer. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 4:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Champagner hat's verschuldet from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Zoryana Kushpler, Ensemble der Wiener Staatsoper Toast au champagne from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Héloïse Mas, Marie-Eve Munger and Guillaume Andrieux from Opéra de Lille Tarot Scene from Abendsonne (Tomasz Skweres): Juliette Mars from Sirene Operntheater, Vienna Ouverture, from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Franz Welser-Möst   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.  

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future.   Opera Road Trip's third episode is dedicated to opera in Ireland. We hear from Rosetta Cucchi, Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera about rediscovering forgotten repertoire; from Fergus Sheil and Diego Fasciati, respectively Artistic Director and CEO of the relatively young Irish National Opera about the birth of their national institution, and from the three mesmerizing Irish mezzosopranos Ann Murray, Tara Erraught and Niamh O'Sullivan about their paths to opera in a country without a developed operatic infrastructure.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 3:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 He was despised from Messiah (Georg Friedrich Händel): Niamh O'Sullivan Freude schöner Götterfunken from The importance of being Earnest (Gerald Barry) - Nouvel Opéra Fribourg Tranquille nuit, le monde sommeille (Tacea la notte placida) from Le Trouvère (Giuseppe Verdi): Lydia Grindatto, Wexford Festival Opera 2025 Ah! dal ciel discenda un raggio, from Maria Stuarda (Gaetano Donizetti): Tara Erraught, Fergus Sheil (cond.) Irish National Opera 2022 He promised me at parting, from 12 Irish songs, WoO 154 (Ludwig van Beethoven): Ann Murray, Graham Johnson Bonus: Irish National Anthem, Wexford Festival Opera 2025   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

Opera Road Trip's second episode is dedicated to opera in Ukraine. We hear from Anna Gadetzka, program direction of Open Opera Ukraine about creating alternatives to the state-run opera factories; from Vasyl Vovkun, director of the Lviv National Opera, Bogdan Strutynsky, director of the National Operetta of Ukraine and Galyna Grygorenko, first deputy minister of culture of Ukraine, about the country's operatic heritage and repertoire and about the current challenges of running opera companies. To learn more about opera in Ukraine, visit OperaVision.eu features work from its five Ukrainian partner opera companies, notably streams of the following operas: Tiger Hunter - A musical from Ukraine and an ode to freedom in the face of oppression. Golden Crown - A story of heartbreak and dispossessed lands from 13th century Ukraine Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.    Music extracts for Episode 2: Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Alcide (Dmytro Bortniansky): Oksana Lyniv, orchestra of the Lviv National Opera Rozhenka (Ukrainian folk song, arranged by Susanna Karpenko): Ivan Franko Theatre, Kyiv Zoloty Obruch (Borys Lyatoshynsky): Justyna Khil, Adrian Domarecki, Adrian Janus, Klara Janus from the Polish National Opera Zaporozhets za Dunayem (Semen Hulak-Artemovsky): Valentyn Dytiuk, National Opera of Ukraine Zozulka (Ukrainian folk song, arranged by Susanna Karpenko): Ivan Franko Theatre, Kyiv   We thank Laura Claycomb, Evan Porter and Sean Miller for lending their English and Matthieu Fons for his artwork for this series. OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future.   Opera Road Trip's first episode is, dutifully, dedicated to opera in Italy. We hear from Danila Grassi, a young conductor making her way in what in Italy is still a male-dominated world; from author, critic and librettist Alberto Mattioli and from the CEO of the Rome Opera house (Teatro dell'Opera di Roma) Francesco Giambrone about the current state of opera in the country of its birth, political influence and what seems to be working in the search for new audiences.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. On OperaVision you can hear him speak about Korngold's Violanta: https://operavision.eu/de/partner/teatro-regio-torino or read his article about Metastasio: https://operavision.eu/feature/metastasio-28-opera-librettos-and-still-counting   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/podcast   Music extracts:  Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 L'Orfeo (Monteverdi): La Musica, Claire Lees; Orfeo, Ed Lyon, Garsington Opera Le Convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali (Donizetti):  Paolo Bordogna, Wexford Festival Opera Tosca (Puccini): Te Deum, Roberto Frontali, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

In the final episode of this Next Generation series, we ask two experts working at Oper Frankfurt to share their understanding of the challenges facing young artists entering a programme. From the shock of that first time on the main stage, to finding a common language when it comes to technique, and finally allowing the personality to really shine through, Felice Venanzoni and Hedwig Fassbender offer candid advice on all aspects of nurturing operatic talent with sensitivity and respect. Watch now on OperaVision Opera for Peace documentary with Leonardo Sanchez Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Il Viaggio a Reims from Young Artists at the Rossini Opera Festival Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music Extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Aquela Moça (Luís de Freitas Branco) mezzo soprano Claudia Ribas accompanied by Felice Venanzoni La Traviata Addio bel passato with soprano Karolina Bengtsson accompanied by Yuna Saito Rape of Lucretia (Britten) Give him this orchid with mezzo soporano Claudia Ribas accompanied by Yuna Saito

This month, we're joined by young artists Chiara Boccabella and Francesco Leone in the run up to the Accademia Rossiniana Alberto Zedda this summer.  They share thoughts on preparing for auditions (the key lies in character!), and how exactly to bring lightness and joy to singing Rossini so that it feels (almost) effortless. Watch now on OperaVision Opera for Peace documentary with Leonardo Sanchez Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music Extracts all from Rossini's Il Viaggio a Reims at the Accademia Rossiniana 2023 Introduction & closing: Il Viaggio a Reims (opening) Con sì dotta il nobil gente, di fanal che serve al mondo with mezzo-soprano Seray Pinar (Cast B) Sì, di matti una gran gabbia with baritone Andrés Cascante (Cast A)

This month, we are back with our emerging artists from Palau de les Arts in Valencia, where we discover how steady and slow is the key to vocal progression, how going beyond your comfort zone is necessary when hustling for work, and which key elements to take from a programme into the professional world. Mezzo-soprano Laura Orueta takes her first professional steps and soprano Iria Goti looks ahead to her final stretch in Valencia and life beyond.    Music  Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture I Hate Music; Tavouk Guenksis; Piccola Serenata de Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) with Iria Goti, soprano, José Alberto Sancho, piano Enllà de l'origen (from Els asfòdels) by Matilde Salvador (1918-2007) Laura Orueta, mezzo soprano, José Alberto Sancho, piano   Dame, dame la noche del desnudo by Juan Durán (1960) with Marcelo Solís, baritone, José Alberto Sancho, piano   Watch now on OperaVision Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg from Teatro Real, Madrid Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly

This month, we're back at Oper Frankfurt following up with our four young artists, where juggling roles and dealing with vocal fatigue are part of life at the height of a busy season.  Our singers share stories of setting boundaries, juggling repertoire, and how sometimes saying no is essential to protecting both vocal and mental health. Featuring sopranos Nombulelo Yende and Clara Hyoyoung Kim, mezzo-soprano Helene Feldbauer, and baritone Jarrett Porter.   Watch now on Opera Vision Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music extracts Norma (Bellini) aria Norma: Casta diva, Nombulelo Yende, Moniuszko Vocal Competition Winterreise (Schubert) Gute Nacht Jarrett Porter at the Oper Frankfurt Soirée. Pianist Felice Venanzoni  Ständchen (Schubert) Zögend, leise Helene Feldbauer at the Oper Frankfurt Soiree. Pianist Yuna Saito

In an industry where self-doubt can be paralysing, Opera for Peace Ambassador and soprano Ailyn Perez shares her techniques for helping emerging artists to trust their voices, how to navigate away from the feeling of continually being judged, and she acknowledges her own vulnerability when approaching a new piece – a reminder that even those at the pinnacle of their careers experience moments of uncertainty.  Meanwhile, young tenor Matteo Ivan Rašic questions whether as a singer you need to be self-centred, and reflects on the significance of success as the son of a refugee family, giving a personal perspective on the stakes involved in pursuing a career in the arts.   Watch now on Opera Vision Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Donizetti 'Quel guardo il cavaliere' from Don Pasquale, with soprano Nanami Yoneda and pianist Kamal Khan Mozart 'Se vuol ballare' from Le Nozze di Figaro, with bass baritone Ihor Mostovai and pianist Carmen Santoro Charpentier 'Depuis le jour' from Louise, with soprano Oksana Sliubyk and pianist Kamal Khan

With its extensive international travel, sets and costumes created for individual productions, many of which are then disposed of, opera does not have a reputation for being particularly green. However, companies and individuals are now making great strides towards sustainability in the face of the climate crisis and are continuing to find ways to make spaces and performances more environmentally sustainable. In this episode we find out how activists and individuals are challenging the status quo - working towards sustainability in the face of the climate crisis.  Nina speaks to Sebastien Gueze, the French Tenor and activist responsible for publishing the BIOPERA essay, who now also works as a sustainability consultant for the French government, and Italian Stage Director Ilaria Lanzino who has directed a pilot CO2 neutral production at Oper Leipzig.   Watch now on Opera Vision Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly   Eco entertainment Masque of Might from Opera North   Music extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Massenet 'Alors c'est bien ici' from Werther with tenor Mario Chang and the Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier Sivan Eldar 'Wood behaviour' from Like Flesh (words: Cordelia Lynn) with soprano Juliette Allen and baritone William Dazeley from Opéra de Lille. Watch flashback here Handel 'Verdi prati' from Alcina with countertenor Patrick Terry at Opera North. Watch flashback here Find out more about Ilaria Lanzino here Find out more about Sebastien Guèze here Access Sebastien's BIOPÉRA Essay (in French) here Find out about Opera North's Green Season here

For many artists there are barriers that go much deeper than the gender binary, but how can we ensure people of every gender have real access and are genuinely welcomed in the opera world?  Trailblazing American baritone Lucia Lucas reveals the highs and lows of inhabiting a role close to her heart; Lili Elbe at the Theater St. Gallen, about the eponymous painter who was the first person to have gender confirmation surgery in the 1930s.  Meanwhile, Spanish director, designer and visual artist Marta Pazos explores the world of intersexuality through her production of Alexina B at the Gran Teatre del Liceu In Barcelona; she shares how she brought the story of Herculine Barbin vividly to life.   Additional voiceovers by Celia Grau  Translation supervised by Joan Soley    View the OperaVision website here   Watch now on Opera Vision Lili Elbe by composer Tobias Picker & librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman Oper Frankfurt documentary From Studio to Stage Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana Masterclass with Sarah Connolly   More here about Alexina B   Music extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture All other extracts from Lili Elbe Theater St. Gallen featuring baritone Lucia Lucas, soprano Sylvia D'Eramo and bass Msimelelo Mbali  

'Classical opera has a racism problem' ran a headline in the New York Times in 2019, one of many articles in recent years to discuss the subject. Racism is high on the list of issues the opera world is looking to tackle, and in this episode we're joined by two artists from different sides of the Atlantic, exploring how they are striving to create an opera and classical music culture that better reflects the communities they serve. View the OperaVision website here Watch now on Opera Vision Oper Frankfurt From Studio to Stage Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Verdi 'Dance of the young Moorish slaves' from Aida at Opera di Roma view flashback here Mozart 'Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden' from Die Zauberflöte at the Royal College of Music with tenor Dafydd Jones Verdi 'D'un uom che geme sotto il tuo disdegno' from Otello at Poznań Opera with soprano Iwona Sobotka and tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones view performance here Loki Karuna https://www.lokikaruna.com/ Pegasus Opera https://pegasusoperacompany.org/  

Opera has long been accused of elitism, racism and misogyny, and over the course of the next few episodes we are looking at how voices in opera are calling for change to make it better for all our young artists. We begin by looking at the representation of Asian culture on the operatic stage, and investigate the lived experience of artists who are striving to make the opera world a place where everyone feels welcome. View the OperaVision website here   Watch now on Opera Vision Oper Frankfurt From Studio to Stage Opera for Peace Masterclasses with Ailyn Perez & Brian Jagde Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana BBC Cardiff Singer of the World with Nombulelo Yende The Asian Opera Alliance https://asianoperaalliance.com/ Final Bow for Yellow Face https://www.yellowface.org/   Music extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Puccini Là, sui monti dell'Est from Turandot at the Finnish National Opera Puccini Liù! Liù! Sorgi! Sorgi! From Turandot at the Grand Théâtre de Genève Puccini Vogliatemi bene from Madama Butterfly, soprano Marina Rebeka at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía Puccini Un bel dì, vedremo from Madama Butterfly, soprano Juliana Grigoryan at the 11th Moniuszko Vocal Competition

This month, OperaVision is back in Paris at Opera for Peace's second academy, with our expert the soprano Sumi Jo sharing her warm yet strict approach to working with emerging artists, and giving us tips on sustaining a long and healthy career. Meanwhile we explore what it means to come to opera later in life with tenor Raùl Guttierrez, and the importance of protecting your voice and the pursuit of self-improvement with soprano Maria Belèn Rivarola. View the OperaVision website here Watch now on Opera Vision Opera for Peace Masterclasses with Ailyn Perez & Brian Jagde Cendrillon (Viardot) from the Young Artists at the Palau de Les Arts, Centre de Perfeccionament (until October 1st 2023) Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana BBC Cardiff Singer of the World with Nombulelo Yende Music Extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Verdi Tacea la notte placida from Il Trovatore, with soprano  Maria Belen Rivarola, pianist: Kamal Khan Puccini Recondita Armonia from Tosca, with tenor Raùl Guttierrez, pianist: Carmen Santoro Massenet Pourquoi me reveiller from Werther, with tenor Raùl Guttierrez, pianist: Daniel Crus   

OperaVision heads to the Palau de les Arts and their Centre de Perfeccionament in Valencia, where two of our young artists talk about the challenge of balancing outside opportunities with in-house commitments, the realisation that insecurities as an artist happen at every level, and the difference between being treated like a young artist and a young professional.   View the OperaVision website here Watch now on Opera Vision Cendrillon (Viardot) from the Young Artists at the Palau de Les Arts, Centre de Perfeccionament (until October 1st 2023) Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana BBC Cardiff Singer of the World with Nombulelo Yende Frankfurt Opera Studio Soirée Frankfurt Opera Studio Documentary Opera for Peace Masterclasses with Ailyn Perez & Brian Jagde Music Extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture. Viardot, instrumental extract from Cendrillon, Pianist: Ignacio Aparisi Viardot, trio Je serai charmante, toujours élégante, from Cendriillon with Iria Goti, Mariana Sofía and Rosa Dávila, Pianist: Ignacio Aparisi H. Duparc, L'invitation au voyage with Laura Orueta, Pianist: Omar Sánchez

This month, OperaVision takes you along the Adriatic Coast to the Rossini Opera Festival's Accademia Rossiniana's 'Alberto Zedda' in Pesaro. Three young artists negotiate their way through the packed auditions, develop their Rossini style and technique, and find ways to make roles truly their own. We learn what they are discovering from their Masterclass with Rosetta Cucchi, such as using Stanislavski techniques to develop their character and how they avoid giving a generic performance. We hear tips that help them approach not only their roles within the Rossini repertoire, but that will support how they develop and create all their operatic roles in the future.  View the OperaVision website here Watch now on Opera Vision Il Viaggio a Reims (from 18th August) BBC Cardiff Singer of the World  Frankfurt Opera Studio Soirée  Frankfurt Opera Studio Documentary  Opera for Peace Masterclasses with Ailyn Perez & Brian Jagde Cendrillon (Viardot) from the Young Artists at the Palau de Les Arts Centre de Perfeccionament  Music Extracts from Rossini's Il Viaggio a Reims at the Accademia Rossiniana (Cast A) 2022 Introduction & closing: Il Viaggio a Reims (opening) Di vaghi raggi adorno Soprano Maria Kokareva & Chorus  Io! Don Profondo! Don Profondo's aria with Baritone Matteo Guerzé  Che miro! Ah qual soprpresa! with Soprano Aitana Sanz

One of the leading tenors of his generation, Brian Jagde joins us after his Opera for Peace Masterclass in Paris.  He opens up about vocal technique and mental health. Through his work with tenors Raúl Gutiérrez and Matteo Ivan Rašić, we hear sound advice on vocal interpretation. We learn more about his work ethic, his transition from baritone to tenor and what this has meant for his career. View the OperaVision website here Watch now on Opera Vision Opera for Peace Masterclass in Paris with Ailyn Perez and Brian Jagde https://operavision.eu/performance/ailyn-perez-brian-jagde-masterclass (from June 2nd) Cendrillon (Viardot) from the Young Artists at the Palau de Les Arts Centre de Perfeccionament https://operavision.eu/performance/cendrillon-0 Frankfurt Opera Studio Documentary https://operavision.eu/performance/frankfurt-opera-studio-soiree Frankfurt Opera Studio Soirée https://operavision.eu/performance/frankfurt-opera-studio-soiree Music Extracts Introduction & closing: Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Puccini: Recondita Armonia from Tosca, Raul Gutiérrez (Tenor) Donizetti:Tombe degli avi miei…Fra poco a me ricovero from Lucia di Lammermoor, Matteo Ivan Rašić (Tenor)