The Art of Opera
‘The Art of Opera’ is a behind the scenes glimpse into the art form and the world of Victorian Opera. Join conductors, directors, designers and opera singers as they share stories about bringing a performance to the stage.
Episodes
December 11, 2019 • 17 min
Rossini’s comic opera The Barber of Seville has kept audiences laughing for over 200 years.
Ahead of Victorian Opera’s season of this madcap masterpiece, company Artistic Director and conductor Richard Mills reflects on Rossini’s love of macaroni and that pesky cat that ruined the opera’s opening night back in 1816.
Ahead of Victorian Opera’s season of this madcap masterpiece, company Artistic Director and conductor Richard Mills reflects on Rossini’s love of macaroni and that pesky cat that ruined the opera’s opening night back in 1816.
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October 2, 2019 • 19 min
28-year-old composer-conductor Simon Bruckard is about to premiere his first opera, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant. He reflects on the highs and lows of developing an opera, conducting his own music, and what awaits him next.
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July 31, 2019 • 37 min
Come backstage into Nancye Hayes’ dressing room for a very special podcast recorded with the grand dame of theatre and fellow musical star Verity Hunt-Ballard during the run of Victorian Opera’s acclaimed production of A Little Night Music.
Hear them reflect on their extraordinary careers, advice for younger performers, and their own special friendship.
Hear them reflect on their extraordinary careers, advice for younger performers, and their own special friendship.
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June 21, 2019 • 26 min
Soprano Ali McGregor has enjoyed a brilliantly eclectic career across opera, cabaret, comedy, and circus. She now prepares to ‘Send in the Clowns’ with one of the most iconic roles for women, Desirée Armfeldt, in Victorian Opera’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music’.
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May 9, 2019 • 23 min
We’re asking the big question in our latest podcast: what’s the difference between opera and musicals? We’ve invited the experts to share their thoughts and opinions ahead of Victorian Opera’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music.
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April 3, 2019 • 48 min
In this special podcast, Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Richard Mills is joined in conversation by guest host Phillip Sametz to discuss the social history of opera, from its early days in Italy through 19th century Paris to the present day.
Recorded live in Victorian Opera’s Hemstritch Studio at Horti Hall as part of the Richard Mills' Talks Series.
Recorded live in Victorian Opera’s Hemstritch Studio at Horti Hall as part of the Richard Mills' Talks Series.
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February 5, 2019 • 22 min
Our latest podcast is full of laughter and jokes with guest Katarina Dalayman. The celebrated Swedish soprano reflects on her life on the road, love of Wagner and advice for young singers. Having sung Kundry in Parsifal at the Met and Paris Opera, she returns to one of her favourite roles in Victorian Opera’s upcoming production.
Recording courtesy of ABC Classic and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz at Arts Ce...
Read moreRecording courtesy of ABC Classic and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz at Arts Ce...
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January 16, 2019 • 20 min
Our latest podcast delves into Wagner's world of knights, sorcerers and the Holy Grail. The Art of Opera invited Wagnerian expert Dr Peter Bassett for a fascinating two-part conversation about Parsifal. In Part 2, learn about the scale of staging a Wagnerian opera, the challenges of singing his music, and more about the composer himself.
Recording courtesy of ABC Classic and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Markus Sten...
Read moreRecording courtesy of ABC Classic and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Markus Sten...
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December 6, 2018 • 17 min
Our latest podcast delves into Wagner's world of knights, sorcerers and the Holy Grail. The Art of Opera invited Wagnerian expert Dr Peter Bassett for a fascinating two-part conversation about Parsifal. In Part One, learn about the key themes, what makes this opera unique, and its ongoing influence.
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September 12, 2018 • 28 min
We speak to Caitlin Hulcup and Teddy Tahu Rhodes, two of the stars of Victorian Opera’s concert of Bellini masterwork The Capulets and the Montagues. The internationally acclaimed opera singers reflect on their upbringings, careers, and love of music.
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May 31, 2018 • 23 min
From a full concert livestream of Bellini's La Sonnambula to an interactive preview of new operas in development and a world-leading education program, Victorian Opera is experimenting with new ways to experience opera. Learn more about the technology behind livestreaming and why it is an important part of the future of opera.
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January 27, 2016 • 9 min
In the first episode of 'The Art of Opera', head behind the scenes with Victorian Opera's Head of Music and conductor Phoebe Briggs as she chats about new Baroque pasticcio opera 'Voyage to the Moon'.
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