LA Opera Podcasts: Behind the Curtain

On today's episode, Gail Eichenthal interviews LA Opera Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados, who is conducting "Candide," November 21 through December 13 at LA Opera. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org. Lina reminisces about her father's record collection, taking long subway rides to see opera weekly in New York, and shares how what she calls 'compartmentalized presence' helps her be both a mother and a world-class conductor. Lina and Gail also look forward with excitement to LA Opera's annual celebration of Latino artistry and culture, the Celebración de las Artes, coming up December 13th. This event is free and you can learn more at LAOpera.org/Celebracion. Now grab a seat and let's go... behind the curtain.

LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program supports the future of opera by developing the gifts of exceptional young artists. Through a two-year residency, these rising talents are given opportunities including mainstage roles, as principal artists' covers, and in dedicated young artist recitals. Today on the podcast, LA Opera's Paul Hopper interviews one of our Young Artists, Gabrielė Žemaitytė. Find out what four productions she is on the music staff for this season, what role mentorship has played in her musical career, and, of course, learn all about her favorite soup... right here, on "Behind the Curtain." Get your tickets now to one of LA Opera's upcoming productions this season at LAOpera.org.

As a leader in the field of Arts & Health, LA Opera is thrilled to have two guests today on the podcast who are incredible advocates with long histories in the realm: Dr. Eraka Bath and Patrisse Cullors. Through UCLA’s HEARTS program, they are providing arts-based mental health workshops for civic leaders and healthcare workers who are experiencing stress and burnout. But how do you heal the healers? Dig into this question and more with host Gail Eichenthal, today on Behind the Curtain. Then learn more and celebrate November’s Arts & Health Month with LA Opera Connects by visiting LAOpera.org/ArtsAndHealth.

In this episode—an excerpt from our Exploring Opera series—Dr. Catalina Castillón, Emerita Professor of Spanish at Lamar University, unpacks the character of Carmen. Look beyond the timeless allure and discover the symbolism, the archetypes, and the mythos behind Carmen herself. Then, don't miss this classic opera, with a brand new twist. Tickets to "Carmen" are available now at LAOpera.org.

On today's episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank is back at the piano, exploring the themes that make "Carmen" universal, from love triangles to liberation. He'll share musical excerpts from "Carmen" that you know and love—such as the famous "Habanera"—and trace the motifs that run through the opera, with a special ear to how the musical score complements the story. It's an aria-filled episode today on "Behind the Curtain." Tickets to "Carmen" are selling fast. Get your tickets now at LAOpera.org.

Today's episode of the podcast brings contemporary art downstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as we unveil the many inspirations—both artistic and scientific—behind LA Opera's jaw-dropping new curtain! This 70-foot commissioned curtain is the vision of artist and author Enrique Martínez Celaya, who joins us today on the podcast. Alongside Enrique is Christina Nielsen, Director of the Art Museum at The Huntington Library, who discusses the impact of the curtain and the importance of Celaya's work. See the new curtain unfold in person when you visit your opera house, with tickets to LA Opera's 2026/27 season, available now at LAOpera.org.

On today's episode of "Behind the Curtain," soaring Tunisian-Canadian soprano Rihab Chaieb reveals her surprising musical past, shares about the hustle it takes to become an opera star, and spills the secrets of "Carmen," our season opening production. To her, Carmen is an unwavering beacon of freedom who aches to be loved for the right reasons, and collaborating on this world premiere has opened up a plethora of creative questions. It's a joyfully multilingual episode of "Behind the Curtain" that will have francophiles smiling and opera fans singing along. Get your tickets to "Carmen" now at LAOpera.org.

This Halloween, LA Opera is thrilled to present "Hercules vs. Vampires" on October 30 and 31 at The United Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. In this episode, we talk to the composer of "Hercules vs. Vampires," Patrick Morganelli, about this high art meets high camp movie experience. Patrick has roots in some of LA's finest music schools and has worked in a fascinating variety of media, so grab your pumpkin spice lattes, start picking out your costume, and listen in as he shares the process of adapting a film into an orchestral score. Then get your tickets to this campy, vampy cult classic at LAOpera.org.

Today's episode is part of our Arts and Health Series, which highlights the benefits of the arts on wellness. Listen in as we're joined by a distinguished panel including world-renowned artist and advocate and LA Opera Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming, neuroscientist and musician Dr. Indre Viskontas, Founder and CEO of Social RX Chris Appleton, and moderator Michael J. Bobbitt, President and CEO of OPERA America. Join us as they extol the value of the arts in bringing meaning to life, and as they expand the definition of health to be characterized not simply by the absence of disease, but by the presence of meaning. Arts and health is a fertile field of exploration, and LA Opera is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Visit LAOpera.org/Wellness for the latest discoveries on our resources.

In today's episode, LA Opera Connects Vice President Dr. Andréa Fuentes dives into the discourse around "Carmen" with LA Opera affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. They talk about the cultural, social, and political reverberations of "Carmen"—what's controversial, what's dynamic, and what resonance the opera holds for us today. Consider complexities you may or may not have examined in a whole new light, and get your tickets to our world premiere production at LAOpera.org/Carmen, playing October 17 through November 7. We can't wait to see you there.