Opéra à la française

In this episode of OPERA Road Trip, host Sebastian F. Schwarz turns to France—one of the historic strongholds of the European operatic tradition—shaped by a dense network of public institutions, a strong culture of state support, and a long-standing belief in opera as a public good. From the court of Louis XIV and the founding of the Académie Royale de Musique to the grand opéra tradition of the 19th century and the decentralisation policies of the post-war period, the episode traces how France developed a uniquely structured and highly institutionalised operatic ecosystem. It is a system built on stability and public investment, yet increasingly confronted with financial pressures, evolving audience expectations, and the need for renewal. At the heart of the episode are conversations with two leading figures of today's French opera landscape: Valérie Chevalier, General Director of Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier Occitanie, reflecting on regional opera, decentralisation, and the realities of leading a major house outside Paris; and Stéphane Degout, one of France's most internationally acclaimed baritones, offering a performer's perspective on the French repertoire, artistic identity, and the relationship between national tradition and global careers. Together, their voices reveal a system negotiating continuity and change—raising questions about how a deeply rooted cultural model can adapt to the demands of the present while preserving its artistic core. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz who is Casting Director of Milan's Teatro alla Scala and whose curriculum as an opera manager includes CEO and Artistic Director and Administrator positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. All episodes: https://operavision.eu/features/opera-road-trip Music extracts for this episode: Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Ecerpts from Herculanum (Félicien David): Véronique Gens, Edgaras Montvidas, Brussels Philharmonic, Hervé Niquet Ecerpts from L'île du rêve (Reynaldo Hahn): Hélène Guilmette, Cyrill Dubois, Munich Radio Orchestra, Hervé Niquet Ecerpts from Werther (Jules Massenet): Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Orchestre del'Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier-Occitanie, Jean-Marie Zeitouni   Excerpt from Le Nozze di Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart): Stéphane Degout, Dutch National Opera, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton Bonus Music: Excerpt from Mazeppa (Clémence Grandval): Julien Dran, Munich Radio Orchestra, Mihhail Gerts Link to the recorded catalogue of rediscovered works published by Palazzetto Bru Zane: https://bru-zane.com/en/dischi/ OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.       In dieser Episode von OPERA Road Trip richtet Gastgeber Sebastian F. Schwarz den Blick auf Frankreich – eines der historischen Zentren der europäischen Operntradition, geprägt von einem dichten Netz öffentlicher Institutionen, einer ausgeprägten Kultur staatlicher Förderung und dem tief verwurzelten Verständnis von Oper als öffentliches Gut. Vom Hof Ludwigs XIV. und der Gründung der Académie Royale de Musique über die Grand opéra des 19. Jahrhunderts bis hin zu den Dezentralisierungspolitiken der Nachkriegszeit zeichnet die Episode nach, wie sich in Frankreich ein einzigartig strukturiertes und stark institutionalisiertes Opernsystem entwickelt hat. Es ist ein System, das auf Stabilität und öffentlicher Finanzierung beruht, zugleich jedoch zunehmend mit finanziellem Druck, sich wandelnden Publikumserwartungen und dem Bedarf nach Erneuerung konfrontiert ist. Im Zentrum der Episode stehen Gespräche mit zwei prägenden Persönlichkeiten der heutigen französischen Opernlandschaft: Valérie Chevalier, Generaldirektorin des Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier Occitanie, die über regionale Oper, Dezentralisierung und die Realität der Leitung eines großen Hauses außerhalb von Paris spricht; sowie Stéphane Degout, einer der international renommiertesten französischen Baritone, der eine künstlerische Perspektive auf das französische Repertoire, Fragen der Identität und das Spannungsverhältnis zwischen nationaler Tradition und internationaler Karriere einbringt. Gemeinsam zeichnen ihre Stimmen das Bild eines Systems im Spannungsfeld von Kontinuität und Wandel – und werfen die Frage auf, wie sich ein tief verwurzeltes kulturelles Modell an die Anforderungen der Gegenwart anpassen kann, ohne seinen künstlerischen Kern zu verlieren. Opera Road Trip wird moderiert von Sebastian F. Schwarz, Casting Director des Mailänder Teatro alla Scala, dessen Laufbahn als Opernmanager Positionen als CEO, Künstlerischer Leiter und Administrator am Theater an der Wien, bei Glyndebourne, am Teatro Regio Torino, beim Festival della Valle d'Itria, an der Hamburgischen Staatsoper und beim Wexford Festival Opera umfasst. Er ist Vizepräsident der Internationalen Richard-Strauss-Gesellschaft, Mitglied des Vorstands der European Musical Theatre Academy und Mitbegründer des Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. Alle Episoden: https://operavision.eu/features/opera-road-trip Musikbeispiele dieser Episode: Einleitung: Fidelio (Beethoven): Ouvertüre op. 72 Auszüge aus Herculanum (Félicien David): Véronique Gens, Edgaras Montvidas, Brussels Philharmonic, Hervé Niquet Auszüge aus L'île du rêve (Reynaldo Hahn): Hélène Guilmette, Cyrill Dubois, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Hervé Niquet Auszüge aus Werther (Jules Massenet): Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Orchestre de l'Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier-Occitanie, Jean-Marie Zeitouni Auszug aus Le Nozze di Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart): Stéphane Degout, Dutch National Opera, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton Bonusmusik: Auszug aus Mazeppa (Clémence de Grandval): Julien Dran, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Mihhail Gerts Link zum Aufnahmen-Katalog wiederentdeckter Werke, herausgegeben vom Palazzetto Bru Zane: https://bru-zane.com/en/dischi/ OperaVision ist eine frei zugängliche Streaming-Plattform für Oper, unterstützt durch das Programm Creative Europe der Europäischen Union. Erleben Sie Live-Streams, während die Aufführungen direkt im Opernhaus stattfinden. Entdecken Sie eine Vielfalt an Formaten – darunter Oper, Operette, Musiktheater, Tanz, Ballett und Konzerte. Ob Opernkenner oder neugieriger Neueinsteiger – bei OperaVision findet jeder etwas.     Dans cet épisode d'OPERA Road Trip, l'animateur Sebastian F. Schwarz se tourne vers la France — l'un des bastions historiques de la tradition lyrique européenne — façonnée par un dense réseau d'institutions publiques, une forte culture de soutien étatique et une conviction durable de l'opéra comme bien public. De la cour de Louis XIV et de la fondation de l'Académie Royale de Musique à la tradition du grand opéra au XIXe siècle, jusqu'aux politiques de décentralisation de l'après-guerre, l'épisode retrace la manière dont la France a développé un écosystème lyrique à la fois fortement structuré et hautement institutionnalisé. Un système fondé sur la stabilité et l'investissement public, mais aujourd'hui confronté à des pressions financières croissantes, à l'évolution des attentes du public et à la nécessité de se renouveler. Au cœur de l'épisode, des entretiens avec deux figures majeures du paysage lyrique français actuel : Valérie Chevalier, directrice générale de l'Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier Occitanie, qui revient sur l'opéra en région, la décentralisation et les réalités de la direction d'une grande maison en dehors de Paris ; et Stéphane Degout, l'un des barytons français les plus acclamés à l'international, qui apporte le point de vue de l'interprète sur le répertoire français, l'identité artistique et le lien entre tradition nationale et carrière internationale. Ensemble, leurs regards dessinent un système en équilibre entre continuité et transformation — et interrogent la capacité d'un modèle culturel profondément ancré à s'adapter aux exigences du présent tout en préservant son essence artistique. Opera Road Trip est présenté par Sebastian F. Schwarz, directeur de casting du Teatro alla Scala de Milan, dont le parcours de directeur d'opéra comprend des fonctions de CEO, directeur artistique et administrateur au Theater an der Wien, à Glyndebourne, au Teatro Regio de Turin, au Festival della Valle d'Itria, à l'Opéra d'État de Hambourg et au Wexford Festival Opera. Il est vice-président de l'International Richard Strauss Society, membre du conseil de l'European Musical Theatre Academy et cofondateur du Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. Tous les épisodes : https://operavision.eu/features/opera-road-trip Extraits musicaux de cet épisode : Introduction : Fidelio (Beethoven) : Ouverture, op. 72 Extraits de Herculanum (Félicien David) : Véronique Gens, Edgaras Montvidas, Brussels Philharmonic, Hervé Niquet Extraits de L'île du rêve (Reynaldo Hahn) : Hélène Guilmette, Cyrill Dubois, Orchestre de la Radio de Munich, Hervé Niquet Extraits de Werther (Jules Massenet) : Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Orchestre de l'Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier-Occitanie, Jean-Marie Zeitouni Extrait de Le Nozze di Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) : Stéphane Degout, Dutch National Opera, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton Musique bonus : Extrait de Mazeppa (Clémence de Grandval) : Julien Dran, Orchestre de la Radio de Munich, Mihhail Gerts Lien vers le catalogue enregistré des œuvres redécouvertes publié par le Palazzetto Bru Zane : https://bru-zane.com/en/dischi/ OperaVision est une plateforme gratuite de streaming d'opéra, soutenue par le programme Europe créative de l'Union européenne. Regardez des diffusions en direct au moment même où les représentations se déroulent à l'opéra. Profitez d'une grande variété de spectacles — opéra, opérette, théâtre musical, danse, ballet et concerts. Que vous soyez mélomane averti ou simple curieux, OperaVision propose une offre pour tous.      

In this episode of OPERA Road Trip, host Sebastian F. Schwarz turns to the United Kingdom, tracing a uniquely complex operatic landscape shaped as much by private initiative and tradition as by public institutions. From the courtly masques of the 17th century to Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, from Handel's operatic rivalries in London to Britten's reinvention of a modern British voice, the episode explores how opera in the UK evolved along a path distinct from continental Europe. Framed by music from Handel's Semele, it reveals a story of adaptation, tension, and resilience—one that continues today amid funding challenges and shifting cultural priorities. At the heart of the episode are conversations with two key figures representing the breadth of today's British opera ecosystem: Gus Christie of Glyndebourne Festival Opera, reflecting on the legacy and future of the country-house festival model and why it might be good for an opera company not to be dependent on public funding, and Adele Thomas, the new co-CEO of Welsh National Opera, navigating one of the most challenging periods in the company's history and defending subsidy for the preservation of our operatic heritage. Together, their perspectives illuminate a system balancing tradition and reinvention—inviting us to ask not only how British opera remembers its past, but how it imagines its future.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz who is Casting Director of Milan's Teatro alla Scala and whose curriculum as an opera manager includes CEO and Artistic Director and Administrator positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 8:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72   Two excerpts from Semele (Georg Friedrich Händel): Heidi Stober, orchestra of Garsington Opera, conductor Jonathan Cohen, Garsington Opera, 2017   Excerpt from The Rise and Fall of the city of Mahagonny (Kurt Weill): Danielle de Niese, chorus and orchestra of the English National Opera, 2026   Bonus: Excerpt from Dido and Aeneas (Henry Purcell): Kate Lindsey, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 2023       OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.   In dieser Episode von OPERA Road Trip wendet sich Gastgeber Sebastian F. Schwarz dem Vereinigten Königreich zu und zeichnet eine einzigartig komplexe Opernlandschaft nach, die ebenso von privater Initiative und Tradition wie von öffentlichen Institutionen geprägt ist. Von den höfischen Maskenspielen des 17. Jahrhunderts über Purcells Dido and Aeneas, von Händels Opernkonkurrenzen in London bis zu Brittens Neuerfindung einer modernen britischen Stimme erkundet die Folge, wie sich die Oper im Vereinigten Königreich auf einem eigenständigen Weg entwickelte – anders als auf dem europäischen Kontinent. Gerahmt von Musik aus Händels Semele entfaltet sich eine Geschichte von Anpassung, Spannungen und Widerstandskraft, die sich heute unter dem Druck finanzieller Herausforderungen und sich wandelnder kulturpolitischer Prioritäten fortschreibt. Im Zentrum der Episode stehen Gespräche mit zwei prägenden Persönlichkeiten des heutigen britischen Opernbetriebs: Gus Christie vom Glyndebourne Festival Opera, der über Herkunft und Zukunft des Country-House-Festivalmodells spricht und darüber, warum es für ein Opernunternehmen von Vorteil sein kann, nicht von öffentlichen Subventionen abhängig zu sein, sowie Adele Thomas, neue Co-CEO der Welsh National Opera, die eines der schwierigsten Kapitel in der Geschichte des Hauses mitgestaltet und für die öffentliche Förderung als Grundlage zur Bewahrung unseres Opernerbes eintritt. Gemeinsam zeichnen ihre Perspektiven das Bild eines Systems zwischen Tradition und Erneuerung – und laden dazu ein, nicht nur zu fragen, wie sich die britische Oper ihrer Vergangenheit erinnert, sondern auch, wie sie ihre Zukunft denkt. Opera Road Trip wird moderiert von Sebastian F. Schwarz, Casting Director der Mailänder Scala. Seine Laufbahn als Opernmanager umfasst Positionen als Intendant, Künstlerischer Leiter und Geschäftsführer am Theater an der Wien, beim Glyndebourne Festival Opera, am Teatro Regio Torino, beim Festival della Valle d'Itria, an der Hamburgischen Staatsoper sowie beim Wexford Festival Opera. Er ist Vizepräsident der Internationalen Richard-Strauss-Gesellschaft, Vorstandsmitglied der Europäischen Musiktheaterakademie und Mitbegründer des Cesti-Wettbewerbs für Barockoper. Alle Episoden: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav... Musikausschnitte in Episode 8: Einleitung: Fidelio (Beethoven): Ouvertüre op. 72 Zwei Ausschnitte aus Semele (Georg Friedrich Händel): Heidi Stober, Orchester von Garsington Opera, Dirigent Jonathan Cohen, Garsington Opera, 2017 Ausschnitt aus Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (Kurt Weill): Danielle de Niese, Chor und Orchester der English National Opera, 2026 Bonus: Ausschnitt aus Dido and Aeneas (Henry Purcell): Kate Lindsey, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 2023 OperaVision ist eine kostenfreie Streaming-Plattform für Oper, unterstützt durch das Programm „Creative Europe" der Europäischen Union. Erleben Sie Live-Streams, während die Aufführungen im Opernhaus stattfinden. Entdecken Sie eine Vielfalt an Formaten – von Oper und Operette über Musiktheater, Tanz und Ballett bis hin zu Konzerten. Ob Opernkenner oder neugieriger Neueinsteiger: Bei OperaVision ist für alle etwas dabei.     Dans cet épisode d'OPERA Road Trip, le présentateur Sebastian F. Schwarz se tourne vers le Royaume-Uni et retrace un paysage lyrique d'une complexité singulière, façonné autant par l'initiative privée et la tradition que par les institutions publiques. Des masques de cour du XVIIe siècle à Dido and Aeneas de Purcell, des rivalités opératiques de Haendel à Londres à la redéfinition d'une voix britannique moderne par Britten, l'épisode explore la manière dont l'opéra au Royaume-Uni s'est développé selon une trajectoire distincte de celle de l'Europe continentale. Encadré par des extraits de Semele de Haendel, il révèle une histoire d'adaptation, de tensions et de résilience, qui se poursuit aujourd'hui dans un contexte de contraintes financières et d'évolution des priorités culturelles. Au cœur de l'épisode, des échanges avec deux figures majeures représentant la diversité de l'écosystème lyrique britannique actuel : Gus Christie, du Glyndebourne Festival Opera, qui revient sur l'héritage et l'avenir du modèle des festivals en « country house » et sur les avantages pour une maison d'opéra de ne pas dépendre des subventions publiques, et Adele Thomas, nouvelle co-directrice générale du Welsh National Opera, confrontée à l'une des périodes les plus difficiles de l'histoire de l'institution et engagée dans la défense du financement public comme condition de préservation de notre patrimoine lyrique. Ensemble, leurs regards éclairent un système en équilibre entre tradition et réinvention — et nous invitent à nous demander non seulement comment l'opéra britannique se souvient de son passé, mais aussi comment il imagine son avenir. Opera Road Trip est présenté par Sebastian F. Schwarz, directeur de casting du Teatro alla Scala de Milan. Son parcours de manager lyrique comprend des fonctions de directeur général, directeur artistique et administrateur au Theater an der Wien, au Glyndebourne Festival Opera, au Teatro Regio Torino, au Festival della Valle d'Itria, à l'Opéra d'État de Hambourg ainsi qu'au Wexford Festival Opera. Il est vice-président de la Société internationale Richard Strauss, membre du conseil d'administration de l'Académie européenne de théâtre musical et cofondateur du Concours Cesti pour l'opéra baroque. Tous les épisodes : https://operavision.eu/feature/operav... Extraits musicaux de l'épisode 8 : Introduction : Fidelio (Beethoven) : ouverture op. 72 Deux extraits de Semele (Georg Friedrich Haendel) : Heidi Stober, orchestre du Garsington Opera, direction Jonathan Cohen, Garsington Opera, 2017 Extrait de The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Kurt Weill) : Danielle de Niese, chœur et orchestre de l'English National Opera, 2026 Bonus : Extrait de Dido and Aeneas (Henry Purcell) : Kate Lindsey, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelone, 2023 OperaVision est une plateforme gratuite de streaming d'opéra, soutenue par le programme Europe Créative de l'Union européenne. Suivez des diffusions en direct au moment même où les spectacles se déroulent à l'opéra. Découvrez une grande variété de productions — opéra, opérette, théâtre musical, danse, ballet et concerts. Amateur éclairé ou curieux débutant : chacun trouvera son bonheur sur OperaVision.  

Polish opera takes centre stage in this episode of Opera Road Trip. From Warsaw to Kraków, Gdańsk and Poznań, Sebastian F. Schwarz explores how Poland built one of Europe's most resilient and decentralised operatic ecosystems. Introduced at the royal court in the 17th century, opera became a powerful tool of national identity — especially during the 19th century partitions. Stanisław Moniuszko's Halka, Straszny dwór and Hrabina established a Polish operatic canon that still defines the repertoire today. In the 20th century, Karol Szymanowski's Król Roger reimagined Polish identity through myth and modernism, Krzysztof Penderecki expanded operatic sound into radical new territories, and Mieczysław Weinberg's Pasażerka confronted memory, exile and trauma. The episode features Boris Kudlička, General Director of the Polish National Opera; soprano Olga Pasychnik; and director Sir David Pountney, whose productions have helped bring Polish repertoire to international audiences via OperaVision. Poland emerges as a living operatic culture — balancing heritage, innovation and international collaboration across four centuries. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz, whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-President of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. He currently serves as Casting Manager of Teatro alla Scala , Milan. All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operavision-podcasts Music extracts for this episode: Introduction: Fidelio (Ludwig van Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Two excerpts from Hrabina – The Countess (Stanisław Moniuszko) Halka's aria from Halka (Stanisław Moniuszko): Julianna Grigorian, Grand Prize Winner, International Stanisław Moniuszko Voice Competition 2022 Roxana's aria from Król Roger (Karol Szymanowski): Olga Pasychnik Sneak preview from Dorian Gray (Elżbieta Sikora), world premiere Poznań, 2025   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as performances unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows — including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connoisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.  

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian F. Schwarz turns to Croatia as a revealing case study for the operatic realities of smaller European countries. Blessed with one of the most striking Mediterranean coastlines and internationally known cities such as Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia attracts nearly five times as many visitors each year as it has inhabitants. Yet this global visibility is highly seasonal and geographically concentrated — while the country's operatic infrastructure functions largely inland, year-round, and far from the tourist gaze. The episode argues that Croatia exemplifies a broader structural paradox: strong national institutions, permanent ensembles, and a rich operatic tradition operating under conditions of limited scale, modest international visibility, and constant pressure to justify public funding. Tracing the development of opera from Austro-Hungarian and Italian influences through the Yugoslav period and into the present, the discussion shows how history, politics, and geography continue to shape artistic life today. Alongside historical context, the episode features voices from within the Croatian operatic ecosystem — Iva Hraste-Sočo, general and artistic director of the Croatian National Theatre, Diana Haller and Marko Mimica, two Croatian born and raised and internationally sought-after singers— reflecting on training, career paths, international mobility, and the delicate balance between national repertoire and the international canon. Croatia emerges not as a peripheral operatic culture, but as a concentrated laboratory for many of the questions currently facing opera across Europe.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav... Music extracts for Episode 6: Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Two excerpts from Judita (Frano Parać): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025 Excerpt from Ero s onoga svijeta – Ero the Joker (Jakov Gotovac): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025 D'Oreste, d'Ajace from Idomeneo (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart): Diana Haller,  Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2025 Nella pace del mesto riposo from Maria Stuarda (Gaetano Donizetti): Diana Haller, Croatian National Theatre Varaždin, 2026 Bonus: Final chorus from Nikola Šubić Zrinjski (Ivan pl. Zajc): ensemble, chorus and orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb, 2025  OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian Schwarz turns the spotlight from national operatic traditions to a crucial gateway for emerging artists: singing competitions. Against the backdrop of increasingly opaque casting processes, the episode explores why competitions continue to play a decisive — and controversial — role in operatic careers today. Schwarz is joined by key figures from some of Europe's most influential competitions, including Beata Klatka (Stanisław Moniuszko International Vocal Competition, Warsaw), Lars Flaaten (Queen Sonja Singing Competition, Oslo), and Andrew Watts (International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch). They discuss what distinguishes serious, transparent competitions from flawed or purely instrumental ones, and how juries actually think. The episode also features first-hand perspectives from internationally active singers Kristina Mkhitaryan and Shira Patchornik, reflecting on how competitions shaped their careers — for better and for worse. Through live excerpts, career data, and candid discussion, this episode offers young singers realistic insight, practical guidance, and a nuanced view of competitions as one — but not the only — path into the operatic profession.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 5:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72   Cisza dokoła from Straszny Dwor – The haunted manor (Stanisław Moniouszko): Samuel Stopford, Stanisław Moniouszko International Vocal Competition, 2025   Das war sehr gut, Mandryka from Arabella (Richard Strauss): Kathleen O'Mara, Queen Sonja Singing Competition, 2025   Non so le tetre immagini from Il Corsaro (Giuseppe Verdi): Kristina Mkhitaryan,  Valencia       Mon cœur s'ouvre a ta voix from Samson et Dalila (Camille Saint Saens): Claudia Ribas, International Voice Competition s'Hertogenbosch, 2024   Se pietà per me non senti from Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Georg Friedrich Händel): Shira Patchornik, International Singing competition for Baroque Opera Pietro Antonio Cesti, 2021       OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.     ABOUT OPERA ROAD TRIP Opera Road Trip is OperaVision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip's fourth episode is dedicated to opera in Vienna. We hear from Kristine Tornquist and Jury Everhartz, founders and directors of Sirene Operntheater about the work of the independent opera companies and their newest opera Abendsonne, set in a retirement home. We speak with Stefan Herheim, Intendant of Theater an der Wien about his thoughts on running an opera house. 200 years ago, Vienna's most prominent music critic Eduard Hanslick was born – known for his scathing reviews especially of Richard Wagner's work. Time to have a look at the role of the critic – back then and today - with Vienna's leading music journalist and critic Walter Weidringer. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 4:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Champagner hat's verschuldet from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Zoryana Kushpler, Ensemble der Wiener Staatsoper Toast au champagne from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Héloïse Mas, Marie-Eve Munger and Guillaume Andrieux from Opéra de Lille Tarot Scene from Abendsonne (Tomasz Skweres): Juliette Mars from Sirene Operntheater, Vienna Ouverture, from Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss jun.): Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Franz Welser-Möst   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.  

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future.   Opera Road Trip's third episode is dedicated to opera in Ireland. We hear from Rosetta Cucchi, Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera about rediscovering forgotten repertoire; from Fergus Sheil and Diego Fasciati, respectively Artistic Director and CEO of the relatively young Irish National Opera about the birth of their national institution, and from the three mesmerizing Irish mezzosopranos Ann Murray, Tara Erraught and Niamh O'Sullivan about their paths to opera in a country without a developed operatic infrastructure.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operav...   Music extracts for Episode 3:   Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 He was despised from Messiah (Georg Friedrich Händel): Niamh O'Sullivan Freude schöner Götterfunken from The importance of being Earnest (Gerald Barry) - Nouvel Opéra Fribourg Tranquille nuit, le monde sommeille (Tacea la notte placida) from Le Trouvère (Giuseppe Verdi): Lydia Grindatto, Wexford Festival Opera 2025 Ah! dal ciel discenda un raggio, from Maria Stuarda (Gaetano Donizetti): Tara Erraught, Fergus Sheil (cond.) Irish National Opera 2022 He promised me at parting, from 12 Irish songs, WoO 154 (Ludwig van Beethoven): Ann Murray, Graham Johnson Bonus: Irish National Anthem, Wexford Festival Opera 2025   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

Opera Road Trip's second episode is dedicated to opera in Ukraine. We hear from Anna Gadetzka, program direction of Open Opera Ukraine about creating alternatives to the state-run opera factories; from Vasyl Vovkun, director of the Lviv National Opera, Bogdan Strutynsky, director of the National Operetta of Ukraine and Galyna Grygorenko, first deputy minister of culture of Ukraine, about the country's operatic heritage and repertoire and about the current challenges of running opera companies. To learn more about opera in Ukraine, visit OperaVision.eu features work from its five Ukrainian partner opera companies, notably streams of the following operas: Tiger Hunter - A musical from Ukraine and an ode to freedom in the face of oppression. Golden Crown - A story of heartbreak and dispossessed lands from 13th century Ukraine Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future. Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera.    Music extracts for Episode 2: Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 Alcide (Dmytro Bortniansky): Oksana Lyniv, orchestra of the Lviv National Opera Rozhenka (Ukrainian folk song, arranged by Susanna Karpenko): Ivan Franko Theatre, Kyiv Zoloty Obruch (Borys Lyatoshynsky): Justyna Khil, Adrian Domarecki, Adrian Janus, Klara Janus from the Polish National Opera Zaporozhets za Dunayem (Semen Hulak-Artemovsky): Valentyn Dytiuk, National Opera of Ukraine Zozulka (Ukrainian folk song, arranged by Susanna Karpenko): Ivan Franko Theatre, Kyiv   We thank Laura Claycomb, Evan Porter and Sean Miller for lending their English and Matthieu Fons for his artwork for this series. OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

Opera Road Trip is Operavision's new two-year podcast series, a journey through the 17 countries that currently partner with OperaVision, discovering their operatic history and current relationship with the artform, and meeting along the way young talents finding their voice and seasoned professionals who have devoted their lives to the stage, discovering the diverse paths that have led them to opera and the enduring belief in its relevance, past, present, and future.   Opera Road Trip's first episode is, dutifully, dedicated to opera in Italy. We hear from Danila Grassi, a young conductor making her way in what in Italy is still a male-dominated world; from author, critic and librettist Alberto Mattioli and from the CEO of the Rome Opera house (Teatro dell'Opera di Roma) Francesco Giambrone about the current state of opera in the country of its birth, political influence and what seems to be working in the search for new audiences.   Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-president of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. On OperaVision you can hear him speak about Korngold's Violanta: https://operavision.eu/de/partner/teatro-regio-torino or read his article about Metastasio: https://operavision.eu/feature/metastasio-28-opera-librettos-and-still-counting   All episodes: https://operavision.eu/podcast   Music extracts:  Introduction: Fidelio (Beethoven): Overture, op. 72 L'Orfeo (Monteverdi): La Musica, Claire Lees; Orfeo, Ed Lyon, Garsington Opera Le Convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali (Donizetti):  Paolo Bordogna, Wexford Festival Opera Tosca (Puccini): Te Deum, Roberto Frontali, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma   OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.   Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.

In the final episode of this Next Generation series, we ask two experts working at Oper Frankfurt to share their understanding of the challenges facing young artists entering a programme. From the shock of that first time on the main stage, to finding a common language when it comes to technique, and finally allowing the personality to really shine through, Felice Venanzoni and Hedwig Fassbender offer candid advice on all aspects of nurturing operatic talent with sensitivity and respect. Watch now on OperaVision Opera for Peace documentary with Leonardo Sanchez Artifacts Assembly from Young Artists at the Palau de les Arts Il Viaggio a Reims from Young Artists at the Rossini Opera Festival Documentary from Oper Frankfurt on audition training for the Paul Hindemith Orchestra Academy Masterclass with Sarah Connolly Music Extracts Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture Aquela Moça (Luís de Freitas Branco) mezzo soprano Claudia Ribas accompanied by Felice Venanzoni La Traviata Addio bel passato with soprano Karolina Bengtsson accompanied by Yuna Saito Rape of Lucretia (Britten) Give him this orchid with mezzo soporano Claudia Ribas accompanied by Yuna Saito