“Men die and governments change, but the songs of La bohème will live forever,” wrote Thomas Alva Edison to Giacomo Puccini. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces La bohème, with musical examples from Seattle Opera’s archival recordings of La bohème: from 2007, with Rosario La Spina (Rodolfo) and Nuccia Focile (Mimì), conducted by Vjekoslav Sutej; and from 2013, with Andrew Garland (Schaunard), Arthur Woodley (Colline), Michael Fabiano (Rodolfo), Keith Phares (Marcello), and Jennifer Black (Mimì), conducted by Carlo Montanaro.

Seattle Opera Podcast

LA BOHÈME 101

Seattle Opera Scholar-in-Residence Naomi André and Dramaturg Jonathan Dean discuss the most controversial of all opera composers, Richard Wagner, whose DIE WALKÜRE the company will present, in concert (and abridged) at Fisher Pavilion on August 28. Wagner’s astonishing masterpieces continue to challenge and delight audiences, although his legacy is tainted because of his obnoxious attitudes and how his work was appropriated by the Third Reich. André and Dean discuss approaching Wagner, not from an ‘either/or’ mentality, but from a “both...and” way of thinking.

Loving Wagner, Hating Wagner...and the Middle Path

For KING FM’s re-broadcast of Seattle Opera’s 1976 OF MICE AND MEN, Dramaturg Jonathan Dean interviewed Melanie Ross about the early days of Seattle Opera and the work of her father, Seattle Opera founding General Director Glynn Ross. Melanie, who retired in 2017, worked behind the scenes at Seattle Opera for over four decades. We appreciate her sharing these precious memories of the early days of the company, and those early performances of Carlisle Floyd’s Steinbeck-derived opera. Seattle Opera gave Of Mice and Men its world premiere in 1970, then revived the opera six seasons later.

OF MICE AND MEN Intermission Chat with MELANIE ROSS

Giacomo Sagripanti conducted Rossini's wicked French comedy, Count Ory, at Seattle Opera in 2016. He recently discussed this great work and Rossini with General Director Christina Scheppelmann.

COUNT ORY Discussion with Giacomo Sagripanti

Marketing Director Kristina Murti and Assistant Production Director Alicia Moriarty chatted during an intermission of GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. Listen to their stories about how the RING changed their lives, and what it does for the opera company that dares take it on.

RING Intermission Chat with staff members Kristina Murti and Alicia Moriarty

Phil Kelsey, Seattle Opera’s Assistant Conductor, chatted during an intermission of GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG with Christina Scheppelmann when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. Phil, who can conduct or play any moment from the RING on demand, has worked on Seattle’s RINGs since 1983. He talks here about a lifetime devoted to this extraordinary work of art. 

RING Intermission Chat with PHIL KELSEY

Stage Manager Yasmine Kiss and Assistant Stage Manager Cris Reynolds chatted during an intermission of Siegfried when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. Listen to their stories about what it’s like backstage getting costumes, props, scenery, human beings, and livestock organized for their onstage appearances.

RING Intermission Chat with Stage Managers Yasmine Kiss and Cris Reynolds

Violinist Kathy Boyer and horn soloist Mark Robbins chatted during an intermission of Siegfried when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. Listen to their stories of playing this brilliant opera and the various challenges it has presented them over the years.

RING Intermission Chat with musicians Kathy Boyer and Mark Robbins

Lighting Designer Connie Yun and Master Carpenter Tim Buck (who designed the RING's fire & flight effects) chatted during an intermission of DIE WALKÜRE when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. They discuss how to make mermaids swim, mountain ledges burn, and Seattle’s long RING tradition.

RING Intermission Chat with Tech wizards Connie Yun and Tim Buck

Bassoon player Paul Rafanelli and violinist Jeannie Wells Yablonsky chatted during an intermission of DIE WALKÜRE when Seattle Opera re-broadcast its 2005 RING cycle on KING-FM in February. Listen to their perspective on playing these operas and Seattle’s long RING tradition.

RING Intermission Chat with musicians Paul Rafanelli and Jeannie Wells Yablonsky

At Seattle Opera we had the great good fortune to work with the late great bass Arthur Woodley many times over 25 years. In this podcast, which will also air on KING FM during the intermission of BORIS GODUNOV on January 9, Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean shares some of Arthur Woodley’s extraordinary vocal performances and memories of this beloved singer. Archival clips featuring the Seattle Opera orchestra, chorus, and soloists from performances of Bluebeard’s Castle, 2009, conducted by Evan Rogister; The Marriage of Figaro, 2009, conducted by Dean Williamson; Julius Caesar, 2007, conducted by Gary Thor Wedow; Il trovatore, 2010, conducted by Yves Abel; Fidelio, 2012, conducted by Asher Fisch; La bohème, 2013, conducted by Carlo Monatanaro, and Lucia di Lammermoor, 2010, conducted by Bruno Cinquegrani.

Seattle Opera Celebrates ARTHUR WOODLEY

Francesca Zambello recalled the extraordinary adventure of making an opera from the literary world of the great Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez during an intermission chat with Christina Scheppelmann. Zambello, General Director of Washington National Opera and Glimmerglass Festival, is also a stage director who has given Seattle Opera many wonderful productions.This podcast also features musical clips from Seattle Opera performances of FLORENCIA.

FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS Intermission Chat with FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO

Donald Byrd, Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater, has choreographed several productions for Seattle Opera over the years. Just before the pandemic began he made valuable choreographic contributions to CHARLIE PARKER’S YARDBIRD. General Director Christina Scheppelmann interviewed Byrd for a “Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM” re-broadcast of his Seattle Opera debut, our 2007 production of Handel’s GIULIO CESARE.

GIULIO CESARE Intermission Chat with DONALD BYRD

Vinson Cole decided to be an opera singer when he was 9 years old. Beginning in 1988, with his spectacular debut as Gluck’s Orphée (Seattle Opera’s first-ever Baroque opera and first-ever modern dress production) the tenor became something of a star-in-residence in the Emerald City. He sang a lead role almost every year in Seattle, excelling in a huge swath of repertoire. General Director Christina Scheppelmann interviewed Cole, who lives now where he grew up, in Kansas City, when “Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM” re-broadcast his fateful, dazzling performance of ORPHÉE.

ORPHÉE ET EURYDICE Intermission Chat with VINSON COLE

Seattle Opera General Director Christina Scheppelmann spoke with soprano Jane Eaglen when “Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM” played TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, a 1998 production that featured role debuts for both Eaglen (as Isolde) and Ben Heppner (as Tristan). Eaglen describes that eventful summer, what it’s like to sing the Liebestod from Isolde’s point of view, and the importance of a prompter!

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE Intermission Chat with JANE EAGLEN

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