Paul Curran: Wig Line Hell

Great singer, provocative writer, man with great ideas: host Jenna Simeonov closes the first season of the podcast by chatting with the very awesome Asitha Tennekoon. Read his stuff, & join the revolution: http://www.wandelprobe.com/blog/ https://schmopera.com/ Original artwork by @danikalorenart. Original music by @natedouglasband.

On this episode: online opera! Jenna kind of hates it. But she hates it less after talking with the fab folks behind Valhalla Media, Alexandra Lo Bianco and Nikolas Wenzel. They're taking 2020's lemons and turning it into lemonade, complete with great livestreamed concerts and weeping in an empty Studebaker Theater. https://www.valhallamedia.live/ https://schmopera.com/ Original artwork by @danikalorenart. Original music by @natedouglasband.

A big-topic chat with Anne Midgette, folks! For this episode, host Jenna Simeonov chats with the writer and critic with one of the most influential voices in today's music journalism. A little COVID closures, a little #metoo, a little opera racism... did I mention big topics? Oh, and please forgive the audio on Jenna's end. The conversation was too good to sacrifice to technology goblins. Original music by @natedouglasband. Original artwork by @danikalorenart. https://schmopera.com/ 

Tunisian-born, Montréalaise mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb is one of those hustlers of the opera industry. That is, until it all hit the pause button. Jenna chats with Rihab - they're friends IRL, by the way - about apartment shopping in a pandemic, the cancelled gigs that hurt the most, and how her outbreak of Strauss-induced hives paved the way for Jenna's writing career. Original music by @natedouglasband Original artwork by @danikalorenart https://schmopera.com/

In a special episode of the pod, host Jenna Simeonov chats with two women of the thrilling production company, Beth Morrison Projects. Executive Director Jecca Barry and President/Creative Producer Beth Morrison talk about what it means to produce riveting, relevant opera - global health crisis or not. During the first chaotic weeks of the pandemic, BMP was a leader in producing online content, offering up video of some of their most acclaimed productions, as well as some innovative-as-hell original content. So, why aren't all opera companies doing the same thing? Let's discuss. Original music by @natedouglasband. Original artwork by @danikalorenart. https://www.bethmorrisonprojects.org/ https://schmopera.com/

Bryan Register is a between-gigs American Heldentenor, currently stressed out by the fact that he's in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the beaches are open. Jenna has a reunion of sorts in this chat, remembering the last time she spoke with Bryan, in his utterly fabulous flat in North London, back in the simpler, pre-Brexit, pre-Trump times. Bryan chats about getting kicked out of the Czech Republic, Wagner's love potions, and *actual* puppy love. Original music by @natedouglasband. Original artwork by @danikalorenart. https://schmopera.com/

Othalie Graham is a total force. The Canadian soprano is known for big, grand roles like Turandot, Minnie, and Aida, and she carries an almost operatic type of wisdom in her interviews. Othalie was one of Jenna's first major interviews for Schmopera, and in the time since they last spoke, it feels as though the world - let alone the opera industry - has cracked open, for better or for worse. Original music by @natedouglasband Original artwork by @danikalorenart https://schmopera.com/

Erin Morley, when she's not firing high notes into the world's major opera houses, soaks up her chances for home life with her family in New Haven, CT. Her current hiatus from the stage isn't exactly voluntary, and she's actually dealing with some weird guilt over enjoying her new, slowed-down pace. She spoke with host Jenna Simeonov about the Met, mom life, and - in a surprise callback - Pollyanna. Plus: a bonus appearance by the tiniest friend of the podcast, Alex. Original music by @natedouglasband. Original artwork by @danikalorenart. https://schmopera.com/

A chat with Paul Curran is a beautiful thing. From his base in San Francisco, Jenna chats with the Scottish opera director about why opera on screens sucks, how he's ruining TV wigs for his husband, and why culture is *actually* essential. Original music by @natedouglasband. Original artwork by @danikalorenart. https://schmopera.com/

Isaiah Bell is one-of-a-kind. Tenor, composer, one-man-show creator, writer of artisanal haiku, this guy doesn't stop. Jenna spoke with Isaiah from his base in Victoria, B.C., about how he is just loving lockdown life. He's got yet another project on the go, and a fresh new mic that arrived in time for this chat, and a subliminal love for the darkly hopeful story of Pollyanna. Original music by @natedouglasband Original artwork by @danikalorenart https://schmopera.com/