2009 Season Podcasts
In order to help you better appreciate the operas in our 2009 International
Season, the Education and Outreach Department has developed a series of
introductory podcasts hosted by Nick Reveles. These 15 to 20 minute
‘conversations’ can be enjoyed by opera fans as well as those who are new to the
art form. Informal yet informative, this is a great way to prepare to come
see the operas during our season.
January 5, 2009
Musical “Characters” in Tosca, Don Quixote and Rigoletto
Musical characterization is something that an opera composer does to distinguish operatic characters from each other, musical signals that tell us about their personalities. Let's take a look at our first three season productions and try to find out how these composers tell the stories of the characters in their operas.
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December 15, 2008
Bel canto: Is It the Words or the Music?
Let’s explore further a topic that we discussed a few months back, inspired by a recent article in the New York Times by the eminent music critic Anthony Tommasini on the nature of bel canto. Does this elusive Italian term describe a style of musical composition, especially in terms of melodic direction, or a composer’s sensitivity to words? Or both? You be the judge!
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December 1, 2008
Dance In Opera. And I’m Not Talking Ballet!
We all know that opera and dance have been intertwined since the beginning, and in France they were co-equal arts living in the same space. But have you ever given thought to all of those moments in opera where dance actually moves the drama along, not a tacked on, pretty addition to the opera but an important part of the narrative? Let's talk about it!
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November 24, 2008
Christmas for Opera Lovers
Here's what we hope will be an annual tradition...the San Diego Opera Christmas Podcast! Since we're quickly moving into the holidays, I'd like to make some suggestions about recordings and DVDs that will help your opera-loving family members and friends get the most out of our 2009 season. Enjoy!"
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November 17, 2008
Scaling the Heights: Coloratura Sopranos
In a series of occasional surveys of specialized voice types here are a few words (and a few sound clips) of every opera lover's stratospheric dream...the coloratura soprano. When the composer says 'jump', she asks 'how high?'
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November 12, 2008
Meet Our 2009 Artists!
Furlanetto, Vargicova, Racette, Haddock...they're all here. Give them a listen in order get a preview of the wonderful international stars we'll have singing in our 2009 Season!
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November 4, 2008
Is There Recitative In Modern Opera?
Whatever happened to recitative? Did it die with Donizetti or did composers somehow carry on the style? And more importantly does recitative still have a place in opera?
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October 27, 2008
Operas I Can't Live Without
Here's my top ten list, operas, and their best recordings, that I would take with me to that fictional desert island. Have fun!
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October 21, 2008
The Opera Overture, Part Deux!
Let's continue our discussion of the opera overture by looking at Mozart, Rossini and the composers of our 2009 Season operas. More on the evolution of the overture...
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October 13, 2008
Sinfonias, Overtures and Preludes: Where Do We Begin?
Let’s take a little time out to focus on the role of the orchestra in opera, beginning at the beginning: the overture. What is the role of the overture? Since it’s the first music you hear, it’s pretty important, right? Well, maybe…here’s a brief history.
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September 15, 2008
Verdi Duets: That’s My Tune…Go Get Your Own!
The Verdi duets are the crown of his achievement musically, as far as
I’m concerned. Let’s discover why, and get a better un-derstanding
of what makes them work so well.
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September 9, 2008
New To The Opera? Here’s How to Really Enjoy an Evening at the Opera!
Are you dreading it? Looking forward to it? You’re just putting up with
it because your wife wants to go? Which opera is good to bring the kids
to? Give me 15 minutes, I’ll show you how to have a good time at the
opera, from dinner before to drinks after!
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September 2, 2008
Madama Butterfly: My Favorite Recordings
In the second of an occasional series, here is my list of my recordings
of Madama Butterfly, including such singers as Pavarotti, Freni,
Leontyne Price and Toti Dal Monte. (Who?)
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August 26, 2008
Benjamin Britten and English Opera
Britten, composer of Peter Grimes which San Diego Opera will be producing
in 2009, is a crucial link to composers today who work in the English
language. Let’s explore his contribution to the art.
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August 18, 2008
The Vocal Cadenza: Some Singers Just Want to Show Off!
Besides defining just what a cadenza is, let’s go a bit further and ask
ourselves if there are dramatic or even emotional reasons for
cadenzas, or are they just an opportunity for a singer to milk
applause from the audience?
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August 12, 2008
Massenet: the French Puccini?
In my humble opinion, Massenet and Puccini are essentially
"speaking the same language" and share a similar turn-of-
the-century aesthetic. Listen in, and see if you agree!
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August 5, 2008
Thematic Reminiscence: Come Again?
Yes it's a formidable name, but it's one of the most easily recognizable
techniques that composers use to pull their operas together.
Spend a few moments and let me give you some great examples from our 2009 season!
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July 28, 2008
Tosca: Recordings I Love
A little summer diversion: there are so many good recordings of Tosca out
there, but which ones are best? I'm not sure, but here are some of my
favorites, recordings that you'll be able to find on Amazon.com.
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July 14, 2008
Recitative: OK, Just What The Heck Is It?
Recitative. It's a word you hear thrown around a lot in operatic circles, but do
you know what it really means? Not to worry...here's everything you need to know
about recitative and then some. You'll be thanking me when you can use it
intelligently during the next intermission at the opera. Your friends will be impressed. Seriously.
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July 7, 2008
Madama Butterfly: Here She Comes Again!
Do we need to see Madama Butterfly again? The answer is a resounding YES!
In the truly great operas, you always find, see and hear something new every time
you experience them. Let Nick Reveles make a few suggestions about why Butterfly
is a joy to look forward to this season.
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June 30, 2008
Peter Grimes: The Ultimate Operatic Outsider
Premiered in 1945, Benjamin Britten's Opera Peter Grimes
marked a fresh start for opera in English. It's a gripping, intense drama
set in a small fishing village off the east coast of England. Find out what
makes this opera tick, and why no one should fear twentieth (or twenty-first!) century opera.
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June 23, 2008
Rigoletto: Just What Was Verdi Thinking??
Rigoletto, San Diego Opera's third opera in the 2009 International Season, is a rather
revolutionary piece of musical theatre. Audiences just weren't ready for the anti-hero
hunchback jester who pimped for his boss. Are you ready??
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June 16, 2008
Don Quixote: A “Heroic Comedy”
Jules Massenet is best known for operas like Manon and Werther. This opera isn't known
quite so well, but it is a stunner! Learn more about it and hear some of the gorgeous
music that it contains in this podcast about our second opera of the 2009 International Season.
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June 09, 2008
Tosca: That Shabby Little Shocker Is Back
Puccini's Tosca, once called a "shabby little shocker", is back to open
the 2009 Season. Here's another look at one of the most melodramatic opera scores
of the twentieth century (it premiered in 1900) and certainly one of the most gorgeous!
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May 01, 2008
Score. Big Time. San Diego Opera’s 2009 Season
There’s something for everybody, but you main squeeze will love you for a
ticket to Butterfly! Or any of the other of our five operas. A brief overview
just for you.
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2008 Season Podcasts
Join Nick Reveles in a weekly, 15-minute conversation about opera and the 2008
International Season! Topics will cover everything you wanted to know about
opera, plus a little more, using liberal examples and highlights from the
season. Give us 15 minutes, and we’ll give you the operatic world! Podcasts
will be updated at the beginning of each week, so watch this webpage for the
latest episode!
April 28, 2008
The Pearl Fishers Opens This Week: Cult Oyster ‘Blues’
The same guy who wrote Carmen penned this little gem. It’s our French
offering this season. Remember: pearls and basic black will never go
out of style, especially at the opera.
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April 21, 2008
Exoticism in opera. Is that incense I smell?
What's up with operas like Aida, The Pearl Fishers, Madama Butterfly and Turandot?
Nineteenth century opera seemed to corner the market on exotic locales.
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April 14, 2008
Basses: the lowdown on the down low!
Ok, ok, I was just trying to get your attention. Nothing salacious here, just a
brief overview of the guys at the bottom. No, really!!
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April 7, 2008
A Word on Verdi
The old man knew what he was doing: he wanted opera to be real theatre. And if a
Verdi opera doesn’t come off that way, then something’s wrong.
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March 31, 2008
Aida Opens This Week. It ain’t your grandma’s Aida. Or Elton’s.
Another Italian ‘take’ on an exotic time and place. Why is this everyone’s favorite opera?
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March 24, 2008
Baritones: Every man thinks he is one
The baritone is the man’s man of opera. If George Clooney were an opera singer, he’d
probably be one. But he’s not. So we won’t go there.
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March 17, 2008
Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci Open This Week.
Truthiness at the opera! I never thought I'd reference Stephen Colbert in this series.
But here we go. Verismo, naturalism and the Italian penchant for a slice of life.
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March 10, 2008
Italy and the opera: Why?
Because. A brief history of Italy and its relationship to one of her most glorious
exports. Besides limoncello. Say Euridice three times fast.
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March 3, 2008
Mezzo Sopranos: Tony Still Doesn’t Live Here!
Mamas, witches and gypsies. And real women with an independent streak. If 'The Sopranos'
were an opera, Livia would be one. A mezzo, that is.
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February 25, 2008
What Is An Aria?
A brief history of something you didn’t know existed until you started coming to San Diego Opera.
Why don’t we just call it a ‘song’ and be done with it?
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February 18, 2008
Tenors: Opera’s ‘Players’
The sopranos all die and the tenors have all the sex. Wassup wid dat?
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February 11, 2008
Mary Queen of Scots Opens This Week.
What’s a nice Italian composer like you doing in a place like this? Donizetti,
composer of Maria Stuarda, gives us a very Italian take on British Royal history.
Can you say, ‘Liz is a vile bastard’ in Italian? You’ll learn how here. Tell your friends.
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February 4, 2008
Is bel canto a new restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter?
Maybe it oughta be. But short answer: no. Tune in for the long answer. It’s got
something to do with beautiful singing and we’ve got it!
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January 28, 2008
The Sopranos: Tony Doesn’t Live Here!
Or Carmela or Meadow or Johnny Sack. But if you want to get to know the other sopranos,
tune in. Coloraturas, dramatics, lyrics…they’re all gorgeous and they’re all here.
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January 21, 2008
Tannhäuser Opens This Week. Are You Ready for Wagner?
I know you’re really not ready, but here it is: the composer you swore you’d never
understand or listen to. Or sit through. (Aren’t these operas like, 15 hours long??)
And what’s everybody screaming about?
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January 14, 2008
Opera Basics: Words and Music
Something kind of cool happens when words and music meet. You know, your song?? It
reminds you of when you met that special person…where you were, what you did, maybe
even what time it was. Multiply that by one hundred, and you have opera!
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January 7, 2008
Opera: what’s the Big Deal?
Everything that you need to know about opera as art in 15 lean minutes. You’ll also come
to know that opera is everywhere, I mean everywhere. So get over yourself. You know you love it…
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To hear one of the podcasts just click the "Listen In" button next to the description you would
like to hear. To Download a file, right click on 'Play Now' and select "Save Target
As" or "Save Link As".
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