Behind The La Opera Curtain

Duff Murphy of Classical KUSC gives his pre-show talk on Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" prior to the October 7, 2017 performance.

James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, gives his pre-pre-show talk on Bizet's "Carmen" prior to the September 14, 2017 performance.

Mark Lamos, director of plays, musicals and opera, including LA Opera’s current production of “Rigoletto,” has a conversation with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen.

Matthew Aucoin (LA Opera's Artist In Residence) discusses his own composition, “Crossing”, with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen. Inspired by poet Walt Whitman’s experiences tending to wounded soldiers during the Civil War, “Crossing” explores the connections that come between us and pull us apart. Performances of this LA Opera Off Grand production take place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26, both at 8:00pm.

An introduction to the plot, characters and music of "Rigoletto" at LA Opera.

LA Opera Resident Artist Matthew Aucoin gives his pre-show talk on "Rigoletto" opening night (May 12, 2018).

Matthew Aucoin (LA Opera's Artist In Residence) discusses Verdi's cornerstone of opera repertoire, "Rigoletto", with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen.

UCLA Professor of Musicology Mitchell Morris at Getty Villa on Sunday, March 11, 2018. Composers and artists of the 19th century embraced the iconic figure of Orpheus, portraying him as the passionate hero of symphonic poems and concerti, the ultimate poet as prophet, and the very model of the Romantic musician. This talk traces the continuing power of the myth in music by Beethoven, Liszt, and Scriabin, as well as in paintings created at the turn of the century.

On Sunday, March 25 following the closing performance of Orpheus and Eurydice, Stephen Fry - English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, and film director — joined Maestro James Conlon in the Stern Grand Hall for a conversation about the Orpheus & Eurydice myth throughout literature and music.

On March 9, 2018, Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera’s President and CEO, interviewed John Neumeier, acclaimed Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet as well as the Director, Choreographer and Designer of LA Opera’s Orpheus and Eurydice.

On Monday, February 5, 2018 international opera star Renée Fleming, neuroscientist Antonio Damasio, and LA Opera CEO and President Christopher Koelsch discussed the connections between music and the brain—and the very real possibility that music is part of the solution to intractable problems like chronic pain and cancer. Listen and learn about the role music and other arts can play in tackling the most difficult diseases and improving health and wellness. The USC Visions and Voices event was presented at the Bovard Auditorium as part of the Provost’s Series on Wicked Problems, which brings together special guests and USC faculty to discuss the most intractable, multifaceted problems of our time.

Maestro Conlon gives his pre-show talk on Orpheus and Eurydice opening night March 10, 2018.

James Conlon (LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director) discusses Gluck's groundbreaking opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen.

LA Opera President and CEO Christopher Koelsch interviews Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon and "Candide" stage director Francesca Zambello prior to the "Opera Prep" final dress rehearsal for students on January 25, 2018.

Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon discusses Bernstein's classic operetta "Candide" with Classical KUSC's Brian Lauritzen

Behind The Curtain: James Conlon Discusses "Nabucco" by LA Opera

Behind the Curtain: Duff Murphy's Pre-Performance Talk on "The Tales of Hoffmann" by LA Opera

Pre-Show Talk: James Conlon Introduces "The Marriage of Figaro" by LA Opera

In this pre-show talk, James Conlon discusses "The Magic Flute."

In this pre-show talk, James Conlon discusses "The Ghosts of Versailles."