LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

LA Opera
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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.

  1. The Paradox of Power and Vulnerability: Akhnaten and BambinO with Phelim McDermott and Gail Eichenthal

    3D AGO

    The Paradox of Power and Vulnerability: Akhnaten and BambinO with Phelim McDermott and Gail Eichenthal

    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.

    29 min
  2. Serious Fun With Opera: Philip Glass's Akhnaten with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano and Prof. Bob Fink

    FEB 10

    Serious Fun With Opera: Philip Glass's Akhnaten with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano and Prof. Bob Fink

    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.

    42 min
  3. Opera in the Community: Akhnaten with Dr. Tiffany Kuo and The Getty Villa

    FEB 3

    Opera in the Community: Akhnaten with Dr. Tiffany Kuo and The Getty Villa

    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.

    45 min
  4. Opera Camp: The Next Generation of Opera Artists with Eli Villanueva, Karen Hogle Brown, and Gail Eichenthal

    JAN 27

    Opera Camp: The Next Generation of Opera Artists with Eli Villanueva, Karen Hogle Brown, and Gail Eichenthal

    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.

    30 min
  5. Ancient Egypt and Musical Minimalism: Gerardo Kleinburg on "Akhnaten" by Philip Glass

    JAN 20

    Ancient Egypt and Musical Minimalism: Gerardo Kleinburg on "Akhnaten" by Philip Glass

    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.

    24 min
  6. The Arts and Community Wellness with Renée Fleming, Gabriela Reyes, Sarah Lyding, Kristin Sakoda, and Shavonda Webber-Christmas

    JAN 14

    The Arts and Community Wellness with Renée Fleming, Gabriela Reyes, Sarah Lyding, Kristin Sakoda, and Shavonda Webber-Christmas

    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.

    49 min
  7. Arts & Health in Opera with LA Opera Young Artist Emily Damasco and Paul Hopper

    JAN 6

    Arts & Health in Opera with LA Opera Young Artist Emily Damasco and Paul Hopper

    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.

    36 min
  8. From São Paulo to LA and Beyond with LA Opera Young Artist Vinícius Costa and Paul Hopper

    12/16/2025

    From São Paulo to LA and Beyond with LA Opera Young Artist Vinícius Costa and Paul Hopper

    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.

    47 min
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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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