It’s Podcast Day!

While relatively new, podcasts are a major part of how we consume information about virtually any topic to our heart’s content. The audio format has become a key to connecting with opera audiences around the world and in honor of the day, we are going to highlight some of our favorite podcasts that we feel you should definitely be listening to as part of your opera diet (be aware that many of these podcasts feature explicit language). 

Caveat: This is in no particular order, by the way. 

Opera Reality

Currently, in its second season, the podcast explores the latest topics in the opera world through stimulating conversations from its hosts Bobby Mellon, Katie Papa, Nicole Weigelt, and their guests. Moreover, those who want a deeper dive into the lives of artists and their perspectives on the industry can get a chance to hear from its vast array of guest interviews.

“[We want] to inform and educate young professionals on how to prepare and understand the opera world in laymen’s terms. Our secondary goal is to discuss the news happening in the opera world with open, lively, humorous, and informative discussions,” Mellon told OperaWire regarding the podcast’s mission.

Listen to their episodes here.

Sex, Drugs & Opera

“Why should opera be for the ‘reserved?'” Michael Pehger and Jared Ice, founders of the podcast “Sex, Drugs, & Opera,” told OperaWire. “We talk about opera like we talk about anything else, without boundaries. We’re not trying to make it cool or anything. We just want to take away all the vanity and talk about the core of it, which is pretty raw.”

As the title of the podcast and the above quote suggests, this podcast is all about having fun. In addition to conversations that relate to singers’ experiences in the profession, the podcast also engages in more creative activities such as recasting operas with famous actors and hosting contests on the Instagram page.

Opera After Dark

Forget what you thought you knew about classical music, and leave your preconceived notions at the door! Co-hosted by Naomi Barrettara, Elspeth Davis, and Kyle Homewood, Opera After Dark is a journey into the surprisingly wild, sometimes sexy, always weird world of classical music. The trio, all with unique specialties, relate to the art form from unique angles, giving a multi-faceted approach to each episode.

Indie Opera

Hosted by Brooke Larimer, Peter Szep and Walker Lewis, this podcast puts a spotlight on the companies and artists that don’t always get the major focus. Not only does the team put a focus on major topics permeating the opera world, but their exploration of newer works and artists is always exciting and insightful to listen to.

Le Grand Journal De L’Opéra

So this is a bit of a tricky proposition for many for two reasons. This podcast by France Musique is in French, which might provide a minor inconvenience for some listeners. Additionally,  the podcast itself is no longer active, its last episodes coming in 2016. But we had to include it because, despite those inconveniences, it might arguably be one of the best there has ever been on the topic. Featuring interviews with singers, directors, conductors, and even teachers, the two-hour episodes pack an enormous amount of depth. Sections are broken up by recordings, which adds to the ease of listening.