Hosts William Boughton and Tom Duffy open the new season from the orchestra rehearsal room at Yale School of Music, sharing memories of the space and a look at the school's history, alumni, and mission. The episode features two guest conversations. Evan Yionoulis, the new Dean of the David Geffen School of Drama and artistic director of Yale Repertory Theater, discusses her path from student director to leading both institutions, and previews the Rep's upcoming season, including a new production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and the world premiere of Elektra in America. Renowned organist James O'Donnell, who directed music for the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother and the wedding of Prince William and Katherine, talks about his path from Scotland to Cambridge to Westminster Abbey, and what brought him to Yale's Institute of Sacred Music. The episode also includes a statewide arts calendar for September 14–29, a "Composer Speaks" segment with Katherine Balch on her piece Musica Pyralis, and a Connecticut history note on Hiram Bingham II's discovery of Machu Picchu. Sponsored by Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC. Recorded at Yale School of Music. https://bagleystrategic.com/https://www.ctartstalk.com/directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production 00:00 — Intro: William Boughton and Tom Duffy welcome viewers to the new season 00:21 — Summer catch-up and season anticipation 01:00 — Setting the scene: this week's episode comes from New Haven 02:05 — Recap of the season-opening episode at Hartford Stage, and introduction to this week's location 03:06 — Inside the Adams Center for Musical Arts and the Yale School of Music: history, acceptance rates, notable alumni, and past masterclass guests 04:39 — Sponsor message: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 05:14 — Guest introductions: Evan Yionoulis (Dean, David Geffen School of Drama; Artistic Director, Yale Repertory Theater) and James O'Donnell (organist) 05:46 — Interview with Evan Yionoulis begins: her path from student director to Yale College to a career in theater 08:54 — What draws her to directing, and how she works with actors and designers 12:20 — On holding the dual role of dean and artistic director 16:02 — Previewing the Yale Rep's upcoming season, starting with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and its connection to August Wilson's history at Yale 19:05 — Elektra in America, a new Yale Rep commission 20:53 — Rounding out the season: a new adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, Cascadia on the Hudson, and Watch Me Walk 21:44 — Thanking Evan and wrapping the interview 22:00 — Statewide arts news for September 14–29 22:17 — Emanuel Ax opens the Horowitz Piano Series 22:39 — Vista Quartet's multimedia performance on climate change 22:57 — Ellington Jazz Series featuring Jeff Fuller 23:19 — New Haven's orchestra season kicks off: New Haven Philharmonia and New Haven Symphony Orchestra 24:47 — Heads-up: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Yale Rep and Dracula at Hartford Stage 24:59 — Yale University Art Gallery's exhibition, Keeping Alive the Remembrance 25:50 — Launch of "The Composer Speaks" series, featuring Katherine Balch on her piece Musica Perales 28:32 — Introduction of guest James O'Donnell 29:32 — James O'Donnell's early life: Scotland, Essex, and discovering the organ 32:20 — His path through the Royal College of Music and Cambridge 35:19 — Life as organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge 39:47 — Career at Westminster Cathedral and the move to Westminster Abbey 43:06 — Reflecting on performing at royal occasions, including state funerals and royal weddings 47:36 — A typical day as Director of Music at Westminster Abbey 52:57 — What brought him to Yale's Institute of Sacred Music 57:41 — Preview of his October 18th organ recital 51:03 — Yale Consort and its weekly choral services at Christ Church New Haven 52:53 — Upcoming performance of the St. John Passion in Salt Lake City 56:00 — Excerpt from James O'Donnell's 2024 organ recital performing Vidas' Sixth Symphony 58:00 — Little-known Connecticut fact: Hiram Bingham II and the discovery of Machu Picchu 59:27 — Sponsor message: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 59:33 — Closing and preview of the next episode from the Florence Griswold Museum
