Opera Apéro

Le Comte Ory with Marguerite

On this episode, I talk to my friend Marguerite (she/her) about Gioachino Rossini's opera Le Comte Ory. It's a wacky comedy about a licentious man scheming his way into a castle of women while the men of the area are gone on the Crusades. Just wait for the sexy surprise at the end. My guest Marguerite happens to also be a young opera fan as well. We discuss how opera can be silly and sexy, the use of a pants role to create extra tension in the story, and how we got into opera and why we think more people should appreciate it. Plus, some tips from Marguerite on how to get started!

Let me know what you thought on social media: On Instagram @opera.apero and on Twitter @OperaApero.

If you like this show, please consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee to help cover operational costs.

The Rake's Progress with Kristina

On this episode, I talk to my friend Kristina (she/her) about Stravinsky's English language opera The Rake's Progress. It's the story of one man's path from naive country man to disillusioned urbanite to doomed soul and all the people pulling him between good and bad along the way. Get ready for some fairy tale names and silly plot points. Afterwards, we discuss the city (and our home of Berlin) as a place to live outside societal norms and how opera prioritizes relatability over realism. 

Let me know what you watch by connecting with me on social media: On Instagram @opera.apero and on Twitter @OperaApero.

If you like this show, please consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee to help cover operational costs.

 

Chapters

Act 1 - 08:13

Act 2 - 16:12

Act 3 - 28:37

Epilogue - 39:43

Discussion - 43:14

Carmen with Ellen

On this episode, I talk to my first Berlin friend Ellen (she/her) about the super sexy opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. It's the tragic story of a young Spanish soldier seduced by a free-spirited gypsy woman Carmen, and what comes after the flames of passion have burned out. We discuss the culpability of Carmen in the story, if she is a role model or not, whether or not passion can be a form of love, and what that looks like in romance and in friendship. So are you team Jose or team Carmen? 

Let me know on Instagram @opera.apero and on Twitter @OperaApero.

If you like this show, please consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee to help cover operational costs.

BONUS: How to Watch Opera for Free

It's a surprise bonus mini-episode! On the show, we talk so much about operas, the staging, the costumes, the acting. It's about time we talk about how to watch some of these magnificent productions. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the options for streaming an opera at home are numerous. All you need is a solid internet connection. Tune in and then go forth and watch operas! 

Let me know what you watch by connecting with me on social media: On Instagram @opera.apero and on Twitter @OperaApero.

If you like this show, please consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee to help cover operational costs.

Opera Voice Types with Sophia

On this episode, I'm flying solo. We take a brief pause from working through operas to have an "Opera Appreciation" lesson on the different types of voices in operatic singing. These come from the German Fach system for categorizing voices by their range and depth. Beyond the currently sung voice types, I'll also get into the unfortunate history of the castrato voice and why it's no longer in existence. As I cover each voice type, you'll hear examples from operas this show has already covered and learn names of current singers from the soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, bass-baritone, baritone, and countertenor types. 

Connect with me on Instagram @opera.apero and on Twitter @OperaApero.

If you like this show, please consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee to help cover operational costs.

Salome with Aubrey

On this episode, I talk to Aubrey (they/them), friend and creator of our show art, about Strauss' opera Salome. In this second installment of Women's History Month, the story focuses on an evil woman, a femme fatale if you wish. She is female sexuality completely unhinged. We discuss art that is upsetting, sexuality and achieving power through others', recognizing women's capacity for evil, and many dysfunctional family dynamics.

La fanciulla del West with Theo

On this episode, to celebrate Women's History Month, I talk to my friend Theo (they/he) about Giacomo Puccini's La fanciulla del West. It's a love story set in the Wild West about Minnie, a saloon owner who gets caught up with a bandit on the run. We chat about the aesthetics of the West, how tropes are useful in relating to stories, and why we admire Minnie, her bandit, and their relationship.  Yeehaw!

 

Update: Since the recording and release of the episode, Tess changed his name to Theo. While episode title and info has been updated with new naming, the original recording has not been altered. 

Rusalka with Sophia

On this episode, I talk to my friend Sophia about Antonín Dvořák's Rusalka. It's the story of a water nymph who just wants to know human love and what she does to achieve that. We spend some time talking about just "Sophia" things, debating parental advice, and what Tinder would be like if we took Rusalka's approach to love. Sophia declares the winners of this story, and it's certainly not Rusalka.

Madama Butterfly with Zoë

On this episode, I talk to my friend Zoë (she/her) about Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly. It's a tragic romantic story of an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride. We discuss the delusions of love, how this story reflects the trend of orientalism, and how we personally hate and relate to Pinkerton.

Content warning: this episode discusses suicide.

ll Trovatore with Kyle

On this episode, I talk to my friend Kyle about Verdi's Il Trovatore. "Il Trovatore" translates to the troubadour, a person who sang lyric poetry in Medieval times. Fortunately, the plot of this opera is a lot more juicy than that might indicate. We've got love triangles! We've got dark family secrets! We've got decades long revenge plots! We've got witch burning! This is easily one of the juiciest opera plots there is and will leave you thinking about the plot twists for days.