The Atlanta Opera Podcast

Go behind the scenes of The Atlanta Opera through in-depth interviews, thoughtful series, and informative (and witty) Opera 101s.

BlinkOpera: Cabaret

Kander & Ebb’s musical Cabaret about the colorful characters of the seedy Kit Kat Klub during the rise of the Nazis in 1930’s Berlin was a heavy-hitting production when it debuted, just 20 years after World War II. The complex subject material continues to reverberate throughout our society, and the struggle of the individuals within the musical to surrender to blissful ignorance or accept a sobering reality remains particularly poignant.

Join baritone Curt Olds, your friendly emcee of the Kit Kat Klub, as he explores the haunting and sultry Cabaret in advance of The Atlanta Opera’s production as a part of the Come As You Are Festival.

Recording: Kander & Ebb: Cabaret: The New Broadway Cast Recording; Various; BMG Entertainment; 1998

Come As You Are: J Jared Janas

Hair, makeup, and wig designer J Jared Janas found himself trailblazing from an early age. The first of his family to be born in the United States, he found an unlikely path to the world of hair and makeup in spite of social and economic challenges that the exclusive world of theatre can often prove too far a reach. Listen to his fascinating story of humble beginnings and his discovery of identity and purpose in this week’s episode of Come As You Are with Erik Teague!

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. In each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

REWIND The Business of Opera: Baritone John Moore

As The Atlanta Opera continues its production of the GRAMMY-winning The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs from April 30th – May 8th, 2022, enjoy this special rewind as baritone John Moore and Tomer Zvulun discuss transforming into the polarizing pioneer Steve Jobs, highlighting the significance of this role in opera and more in this episode of The Atlanta Opera’s The Business of Opera.

Podcast Extra: 5 Things to Know About The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs with Tomer Zvulun

Blink and it’s over! Director Tomer Zvulun shares the top 5 things you need to know about The Atlanta Opera’s production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

BlinkOpera: The Music of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

The music of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs is a fast-paced score of acoustic resonance and electronic sampling, featuring instruments not normally found in the opera pit like saxophone and guitar. How do all of these unorthodox elements blend to create a GRAMMY-winning musical experience? Listen in as conductor Michael Christie guides you through this riveting opera by composer Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell in this week’s BlinkOpera!

Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

Recording:
Bates: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs; Santa Fe Opera Orchestra; Michael Christie; Pentatone

BlinkOpera: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was a revolutionary, a complex mastermind whose efforts to redefine technology have made an indelible impact on us all. Drama and intrigue define his story – a story tailor-made for opera. Join baritone John Moore as he discusses the opera’s plot, collaboration with composer Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell, and his approach to encapsulating the polarizing pioneer on stage in this episode of BlinkOpera!

REWIND The Business of Opera: Mark Campbell

In preparation for The Atlanta Opera’s production of the GRAMMY-winning The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs from April 30th – May 8th, 2022, enjoy this special rewind as librettist Mark Campbell digs into his approach to writing, how he made Steve Jobs’ character uniquely human, and more in this episode of The Business of Opera with Tomer Zvulun.

Come As You Are: Eric Sean Fogel

Director and choreographer Eric Sean Fogel comes to the mic for this week’s episode of Come As You Are with Erik Teague! Eric brings his extensive experience as director and choreographer for premier theatres and events as the Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, the Metropolitan Art Museum, and Paris Fashion Week to provide his perspective on the state of opera and theatre today, and chats with Erik about his journey accepting himself as a gay man and first-generation American.

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. In each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

Come As You Are: Francesca Zambello

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. In each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

An icon of the opera and theatre world joins Erik as Francesca Zambello takes center stage for this week’s episode! The General & Artistic Director of Glimmerglass Festival provides a unique perspective rising through the ranks of opera and theatre as a gay woman and the challenges she faced during that time, and her successes as an internationally-recognized opera and theatre director.

Come As You Are: Lucia Lucas

Erik interviews Lucia Lucas, self-described international Heldenbaritonisten. Lucia sings all over the world and is known especially in the US for her portrayal of the title role in Tulsa Opera’s Don Giovanni. Her performance was explored in the 2020 film “The Sound of Identity.” In this week’s episode Erik talks with Lucia about her creative process and her upcoming role in As One at The Atlanta Opera.

Podcast Extra: 5 Things to Know About The Barber of Seville with Michael Shell

Blink and it’s over! Director Michael Shell shares the top 5 things you need to know about The Atlanta Opera’s production of The Barber of Seville.

BlinkOpera: The Barber of Seville

With recognizable tunes, rapid-fire vocalism, and hilarious, ridiculous shenanigans Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is a comedic opera for all to enjoy! Join baritone Joseph Lattanzi on this week’s episode as he takes us through the background, history, and the opera’s plot ahead of his role debut as Figaro in The Atlanta Opera’s upcoming production.

Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

Recording:
Rossini: The Barber of Seville; Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne; Jesus Lopez-Cobos; Warner Classics International

Come As You Are: Jamie Barton

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. In each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

Erik chats with “opera’s nose-studded rock star” Jamie Barton for this intriguing and engaging episode, exploring a range of topics from body positivity to gender identity advocacy within the world of opera.

BlinkOpera: The Music of The Barber of Seville

In this week’s episode of Blink Opera, we join our very own Music Director, Maestro Arthur Fagen, for an in depth look into the music of The Barber of Seville.

Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

Come As You Are: Marcella Barbeau

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

In this episode, Erik chats with queer, Chinese-American lighting designer Marcella Barbeau as these two colleagues and friends reflect on their shared experiences and laugh their way through their journeys in the world of opera.

Come As You Are: Meet Our Host, Erik Teague

Come As You Are explores the intersection of the careers of arts professionals and their identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Each episode, costume designer, trans man, and host Erik Teague discusses the complex narratives, unique challenges, and beautiful stories of a guest’s journey through their discipline and their identity. So grab yourself a cup and join us for a good story!

We turn the tables in this introductory episode as The Atlanta Opera’s General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun interviews Erik about his experiences as a costume designer and a trans man in the industry.

BlinkOpera: 5 Things to Know About The Pirates of Penzance with Seán Curran

Blink and it’s over! Director, Sean Curran shares top 5 things you need to know about The Atlanta Opera’s production of The Pirates of Penzance.

BlinkOpera: The Music of The Pirates of Penzance

In this week’s episode of BlinkOpera, we learn from an expert in the opera field as we join Maestro Francesco Milioto for a 15-minute deep dive into the music of The Pirates of Penzance.

Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

Recording:
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance; The D’oyly Carte Opera Company with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Isidore Godfrey; Decca

Business of Opera: Rohit Deshpande

Dr. Rohit Deshpande’s passion for the arts extends beyond the concert stage to the business office. In his work at Harvard Business School, Dr. Deshpande advocates for entrepreneurship within the arts that draws from cutting edge best-practices in the for-profit sector. Tomer speaks with Dr. Deshpande about what the nonprofit arts organizations can do to thrive even during the trying times of the pandemic.

BlinkOpera: The Pirates of Penzance

Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

With absurd adventures, improbable paradoxes, and endless clever tunes, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance is a classic operetta for all to enjoy! Join soprano Susanne Burgess on this week’s episode as she takes us through the background, history, and the opera’s plot ahead of her role debut as Mabel in the Atlanta Opera’s upcoming production.

Recording:
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance; The Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by David Agler; 2016

The Business of Opera: Mason Bates

Composer Mason Bates and Tomer Zvulun discuss taking on the mythology of Steve Jobs, creating new sonic worlds for opera and Bates’ influences in the latest episode of The Atlanta Opera’s The Business of Opera.

The Business of Opera: Rhys Wilson

In this week’s episode, Atlanta Opera Board Chair, Rhys Wilson talks with Tomer Zvulun about crisis management, why building a team is everything to a good leader and how nonprofit boards can bring about change for the better.

The Business of Opera: John Moore

Baritone John Moore will sing the title role in the 2022 productions of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. Tomer Zvulun speaks to Moore about capturing the nuances of a complex man, performing new operas and more.

The Business of Opera: Andy Binns

Andy Binns and his company Change Logic love innovation, disruption and the ways companies and leaders think differently. Tomer Zvulun asks him about his work, his view on Steve Jobs and other visionaries, and his upcoming book.

Binns’ upcoming book, “Corporate Explorer: How Corporations Beat Entrepreneurs at the Innovation Game,” is a guide book for managers and executives seeking to build new businesses inside existing organizations. It was co-written with last week’s Business of Opera podcast guest, Dr. Michael Tushman.

Book website is: thecorporateexplorer.com

Podcast Extra: 5 Things to Know About Julius Caesar

Dig into Handel’s masterwork Julius Caesar with quick fun facts. Hosted by Tomer Zvulun.

The Business of Opera: Michael Tushman

In this episode, Tomer Zvulun interviews one of his business heroes, Dr. Michael Tushman of Harvard Business School. Tushman was an inspiration for Zvulun’s TEDx talk about how opera companies must be “ambidextrous” in their thinking to thrive.

Among his many accolades and accomplishments, Dr. Tushman is the Charles B. (Tex) Thornton Chair of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard. His influential 2016 book, Lead and Disrupt: How to Solve the Innovator’s Dilemma co-written with Charles A. O’Reilly III, was released in its second edition this year.

Blink Opera: The Music of Julius Caesar

Welcome to season two of Blink Opera. Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

In this week’s episode of Blink Opera, we learn from an expert in the opera field as we join celebrated conductor Gary Thor Wedow for a 15-minute deep dive into the music and history of Handel’s Julius Caesar!

The Business of Opera: Mark Campbell

Featuring Atlanta Opera General and Artistic Director, Tomer Zvulun, and Mark Campbell, librettist

Librettist Mark Campbell digs into his approach to writing, how he made Steve Jobs’ character uniquely human and more in this first episode of The Business of Opera with Tomer Zvulun.

BlinkOpera: Julius Caesar

Welcome to season two of Blink Opera. Blinks are built to give you an introduction to operas told from the artists who actually perform them and know them intimately. So, let’s listen to the highlights, unpack the plot, and hear about performance anecdotes in a time-efficient and fun way!

With themes of vengeance, love, betrayal, jealousy, and honor, Handel’s Julius Caesar has become a timeless classic in the opera repertory. Join mezzo-soprano Daryl Freedman on this week’s episode as she takes us through the background, history, and the opera’s plot ahead of her role debut as the title character in The Atlanta Opera’s production this fall.

BlinkOpera: Carmen

Welcome to BlinkOpera, episode 3. We’ve built these blinks to give you a solid dose of opera’s incredible storytelling for all those times you can’t make it out to the theatre, or the Big Tent, or–let’s face it–you just don’t have time.

Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack gives some background, history, and takes you through the plot of Bizet’s (in)famous searing drama, Carmen, which The Atlanta Opera presented as part of the Big Tent Series in Spring 2021.

Pre-order the film of The Threepenny Carmen on Spotlight Media

BlinkOpera: The Kaiser of Atlantis

Welcome to BlinkOpera, episode 2. We’ve built these blinks to give you a solid dose of opera’s incredible storytelling for all those times you can’t make it out to the theatre, or the Big Tent, or–let’s face it–you just don’t have time.

Bass Kevin Burdette gives some background, history, and takes you through the plot of Ullmann and Kien’s dark, biting satire work, The Kaiser of Atlantis which The Atlanta Opera presented as part of the Big Tent Series in Fall 2020.

Watch the entire performance of The Kaiser of Atlantis on Spotlight Media

BlinkOpera: Pagliacci

Welcome to BlinkOpera, episode 1. We’ve built these blinks to give you a solid dose of opera’s incredible storytelling for all those times you can’t make it out to the theatre, or the Big Tent, or–let’s face it–you just don’t have time.

Tenor Richard Trey Smagur gives some background, history, and takes you through the plot of Leoncavallo’s most famous work, Pagliacci, which The Atlanta Opera presented as part of the Big Tent Series in Fall 2020.

Watch the entire performance of Pagliacci on Spotlight Media

Flashback: Pagliacci

It’s a wild ride performing during a pandemic. Hear tales from the tent with The Atlanta Opera Company Players – hilarious audience moments, masks while singing, and much more.

Tomer Zvulun hosts with the cast of Pagliacci: Talise Trevigne, Richard Trey Smagur, Reginald Smith, Jr., Megan Marino, and Joseph Lattanzi.

Flashback: The Kaiser of Atlantis

It’s a wild ride performing during a pandemic. Hear tales from the tent with The Atlanta Opera Company Players – hilarious audience moments, masks while singing, and much more.

Tenor Alek Shrader (Harlequin) hosts with fellow artists from the cast of The Kaiser of Atlantis: Michael Mayes, Kevin Burdette, Daniela Mack, Jasmine Habersham, Calvin Griffin, Brian Vu, Nathan Munson, and conductor Clinton Smith

Flashback: Crossroads Concert

It’s a wild ride performing during a pandemic. Hear tales from the tent with The Atlanta Opera Company Players – hilarious audience moments, masks while singing, and much more.

Tomer Zvulun hosts a lively, insightful conversation with Company Players and “Crossroads” performers, Jamie Barton, Morris Robinson, Micahel Mayes, and Megan Marino.

Flashback: Mezzo Extravaganza Concert

It’s a wild ride performing during a pandemic. Hear tales from the tent with The Atlanta Opera Company Players – hilarious audience moments, masks while singing, and much more.

Tenor and fellow Company Player Alek Shrader hosts this virtual roundtable chat with Company Players and “Mezzo Extravaganza” concert performers, Jamie Barton, Daniela Mack, Megan Marino, and Gabrielle Beteag.

Table Talk: Concert for Unity

In this Table Talk, soprano Jasmine Habersham sits down with fellow Company Players and renowned Black opera singers for a conversation about trailblazing BIPOC artists, representation in opera, and how Prince is like Mozart. Stay tuned for the quiz at the end! This discussion was produced in conjunction with the Concert for Unity, May 2021.

Table Talk: The Threepenny Carmen

Go behind the scenes with our new Table Talk series, an in-depth chat with the artists as they dispel never-heard-before stories, anecdotes, and their experience during the process. In this episode, the cast and creative team of The Threepenny Carmen chat about what happened behind the scenes, and what it’s like performing during a pandemic.