Best The Santa Fe Opera Podcasts (2024)

1
Music Born Out of a Modern Experience: The Pigeon Keeper Orchestral Workshop 37:26

22m ago37:26

37:26

It takes a village - and multiple revisions! - to mount a modern, original opera. Key Change co-hosts Andrea Fellows Fineberg and Anna Garcia journey to an orchestral workshop for The Pigeon Keeper, a first for Opera For All Voices (OFAV)! Imagine a stage filled with an eight-member student orchestra, four principal singers, and a women's chorus. D…

1
The Los Angeles Leaf Blower Wars 35:46

4m ago35:46

35:46

The leaf blower is one of the most hated objects in the modern world. They’re loud, they pollute, and… how important is a leafless lawn anyway? In a lot of towns and cities, the gas-powered leaf blower has been banned. In others, there are strict guidelines on where and when they can be used. In Los Angeles, California, the leaf blower has never go…

1
Elias David Moncado, Part 1: International Award-Winning Violist, hailed as 'one of the biggest talents of his generation' 51:26

1h ago51:26

51:26

Called "one of the biggest talents of his generation," Elias David Moncado, at a very young age, has already had an exceptional career. After winning his first competition at the age of 6, then his first international competition at the age of 8, he went on to win four major competitions after that (the Sendai Violin Competition in 2019, the Intern…

1
Fact Checking the Supreme Court 44:13

7d ago44:13

44:13

For a long time, the Court operated under what was called Legal Formalism. Legal formalism said that the job of any judge or justice was incredibly narrow. It was to basically look at the question of the case in front of them, check that question against any existing laws, and then make a decision. Unlike today, no one was going out of their way to…

1
Uptown Squirrel [update] 30:26

10d ago30:26

30:26

In late 2018, two hundred people gathered at The Explorer’s Club in New York City. The building was once a clubhouse for famed naturalists and explorers. Now it’s an archive of ephemera and rarities from pioneering expeditions around the globe. But this latest gathering was held to celebrate the first biological census of its kind –an effort to cou…

1
Frederica von Stade, Part 1: The world-class opera singer, recitalist, concert artist, and philanthropist: Sing from the heart! 55:39

16d ago55:39

55:39

Frederica von Stade has had a fabulous career as an opera singer, recitalist, and concert artist. In her long career, she has performed and recorded internationally, working with major conductors around the world (Karajan, Bernstein, Abbado, to name just a few.) In addition, she has championed the works of many contemporary composers, most notably …

51
The Lost Subways of North America 26:26

17d ago26:26

26:26

Los Angeles actually used to have a massive electric railway system in the early 1900s, called the Red Car. Jake Berman, the author of The Lost Subways of North America, tells us about how, time after time, when North American cities seemed just inches away from having a robust, utopian future of fast, reliable, and convenient public transportation…

51
The Power Broker #05: Brandy Zadrozny 2:11:53

21d ago2:11:53

2:11:53

This is the fifth official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. This week, Roman and Elliott also sit down with Brandy Zadrozny, a senior reporter for NBC News who covers misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the internet. Brandy recently finished The Power Broker, and she’s got a…

1
From Gardening to Greeting Guests, Volunteers Run the World! with Marissa Aurora, Artist & Volunteer Liaison 25:49

24d ago25:49

25:49

Cue the lights! It’s time to illuminate a vital yet often invisible component of life at Santa Fe Opera: volunteerism. Key Change co-hosts Andrea Fellows Fineberg and Anna Garcia chatted with Marissa Aurora, Santa Fe Opera’s volunteer liaison, on her first anniversary in the role. And what a year it’s been! Marissa, a multi-discipline artist and ra…

51
Rocket Man 40:20

24d ago40:20

40:20

In the twentieth century, the jetpack became synonymous with the idea of a ‘futuristic society.’ Appearing in cartoons and magazines, it felt like a matter of time before people could ride a jetpack to work. But jetpacks never became a mainstream technology, leaving many to wonder... why did they fall off the radar? 582- Rocket Man…

1
Micah Killion, Part 1: Performer, Researcher, Educator, Arts Administrator, and Former Air Force Band Trumpeter: On Efficient Practice and Learning 49:43

25d ago49:43

49:43

Dr. Micah Killion is a trumpeter who has devoted the past several years to better understanding what constitutes effective practice and learning. Formerly a member of the Air Force Band, he has also been an arts administrator. In addition to his performing and research, he has also been involved in helping underprivileged populations through the po…

101
It's Howdy Doody Time! 37:16

1M ago37:16

37:16

The Howdy Doody Show is one of those pieces of 1950s ephemera that has come to symbolize mid-century American childhood. For over a decade, every weeknight at 5pm, kids all across the country would sit down in front of their parents’ tiny televisions and take in the wild west adventures of Buffalo Bob and his puppet sidekick Howdy Doody. The show w…

1
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Part 1: Emmy Award Winning Conductor, Music Director Laureate of the Fort Worth Symphony and Director of Orchestral Studies at Baylor University 51:06

1M ago51:06

51:06

Miguel Harth Bedoya has been the Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for 20 years and is now their Music Director Laureate. In addition to other Music Director positions he has held, he has also guest conducted major orchestras around the world such as the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, a…

101
BONUS- Towers of Silence: Vulture Conservation 32:18

1M ago32:18

32:18

Recently we published an episode called Towers of Silence. It's about how the Parsis in India are grappling with the loss of vultures and how it changed something very intimate and meaningful for the community. It was reported by our own Lasha Madan and it is epic and it is beautiful. So first of all, go listen to that story if you haven't heard it…

1
Harmony in Process: The Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera with Amy "Process" Owens 40:53

1M ago40:53

40:53

What does an award-winning, multi-disciplinary artist, dynamic educator, and former Sweet Potato do for an encore? She brings that boundless energy and collaborative spirit to her new Santa Fe Opera role, fueled by a deep passion for opera and music education. Co-hosts Andrea Fellows Fineberg and Anna Garcia roll out a virtual red carpet welcome fo…

101
Mr Yuk 56:15

1M ago56:15

56:15

Mr. Yuk is a neon green circular sticker with a cartoon face on it. His face is scrunched up with his eyes squeezed tight and his tongue is sticking out of its mouth. It's the face you make when you taste something disgusting. He's the pictorial embodiment of the sentiment of yuck. Aptly enough: he was designed to be the symbol for hazardous substa…

151
Towers of Silence 1:11:25

1M ago1:11:25

1:11:25

Situated right in downtown Mumbai, India is an area of about 55 acres of dense, overgrown forest. In one of the most populous cities in the world, this is a place where peacocks roam freely -- a space out of time. This forest is protected by a religious community. It has survived in a relatively undeveloped state in the middle of this gargantuan ci…

151
The Power Broker #04: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 2:39:33

2M ago2:39:33

2:39:33

This is the fourth official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. Roman and Elliott also sit down with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district, who describes the lasting impact Moses’ highways have made on her district, and her…

1
Making Learning Sticky: Creative Compassion for Kids & Educators Through Opera with Charles Gamble 31:36

2M ago31:36

31:36

We're taking an Opera For All Voices-adjacent excursion to the realm of wiggly kiddos, innovative teachers, and fresh vocabulary words, highlighting the power of playful arts integration. Join Key Change co-hosts Andrea Fellows Fineberg and Anna Garcia with special guest Charles Gamble, Santa Fe Opera's Director Of School Programs, as they introduc…

1
Anything's Pastable: Eat Sauté Love 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

This week we're featuring an episode from The Sporkful's series on the creation of "Anything's Pastable," Dan Pashman's new pasta cookbook. Dan talks with Roman about how this massive project came to be and all the design decisions required to put together a cookbook. And then, in part two of “Anything’s Pastable,” Dan embarks on an epic trip acros…

1
Kevin Mayse, Part 1: Trumpet Instructor, Ensembles Director, and Department Chair of the exciting program at Riverside City College 45:28

2M ago45:28

45:28

Kevin Mayse is the wind ensemble conductor, trumpet teacher, and chair of the Department of Music at Riverside City College. Even though RCC is a two year college, what Kevin has been able to accomplish has been exceptional. His wind ensemble not only performs major works but also has a vibrant commissioning program, top flight soloists, and perfor…

1
The Society of Ambiance Makers and Elegant Persons 35:18

2M ago35:18

35:18

Hailing from central African cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa, sapeurs have become increasingly recognizable around the world. Since the 1970s, sapeurs (from: le sape, short for "Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes") have been known for donning technicolored three-piece suits with flamboyant accessories like golden walking sticks a…

1
Chambre de Bonne 33:22

2M ago33:22

33:22

A chambre de bonne is usually one small room, on the top floor of a five- or six-story apartment building, and it’s usually just big enough to fit a bed and a table. It’s affordable housing in a city where finding housing is nearly impossible. Reporter Jeanne Boëzec tells about the history of the chambre de bonne apartments, and how while cute, the…

1
Roman Mars Describes Athens GA As It Is 36:50

2M ago36:50

36:50

This is the third and final episode in a three-part series of Roman Mars recording on-location guides to the design features and interesting spots in cities he loves. Roman moved to Athens, Georgia, to pursue a PhD in plant genetics, but dropped out and got into the local music and art scene instead, and started making his way toward radio. Roman M…

1
Jon Armstrong, Part 1: The Highly-Creative and Innovative Jazz Saxophonist, former LA Freelancer, Bandleader, Composer and current Professor of Jazz Studies and Commercial Music at Idaho State University ... 57:36

2M ago57:36

57:36

Jon Armstrong is an amazingly versatile performer, composer, educator and thinker. Perhaps that should come as no surprise, since as a young man in his home town in Oregon, Jon not only played in a Buddhist marching band but also worked 12 hour shifts in a diaper factory! After a highly successful career in LA, he now teaches at Idaho State Univers…

1
Autism Pleasantville 32:46

3M ago32:46

32:46

A few years back, journalist Lauren Ober was diagnosed with autism. She then made a podcast about her experience called The Loudest Girl in the World. And she found herself imagining a fantasy world where everything is tailored to Lauren’s very specific autistic needs. And she called this magical imagined place, wonderfully devoid of overwhelming s…

1
The Monster Under the Sink 27:05

3M ago27:05

27:05

In the middle of the 20th century, the small town of Jasper, Indiana did something that no other city had done before: they made garbage illegal. The city would still collect some things, like soup cans and plastics, but yucky junk, like food waste, wouldn't get picked up. This change was made possible by a new appliance: the garbage disposer – tha…

1
The Power Broker #03: David Sims 2:07:00

3M ago2:07:00

2:07:00

This is the third official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. Blank Check podcast co-host and The Atlantic movie critic David Sims is our book club guest. On today’s show, Elliott Kalan, Roman Mars, and David Sims will cover the first section of Part 4 of the book (Chapters 11 thro…

1
Matilda Lloyd, Part 1: The International Trumpet Soloist, Philanthropist and Podcast Host! 46:41

3M ago46:41

46:41

Matilda Lloyd has already had an exceptional career at a very young age. Her first album, Casta Diva, released on Chandos Records, was BBC Music Magazine's Recording of the Month in June of 2023. She will also be a European Concert Hall Organization "Rising Star" for the 2024/2025 season. But in addition to being an international trumpet soloist, s…

1
Toyetic 39:12

3M ago39:12

39:12

This year marks the 40th anniversary of a lot of landmarks in pop culture, especially sci-fi and fantasy. So many franchises were born in 1984. Some came to define the genre or invent new genres. The great podcast Imaginary Worlds noticed this and produced a three-part series about 1984's Cambrian explosion of creativity that landed on the big scre…

1
WARNING: This Podcast Contains Chemicals Known to the State of California to Cause Cancer or Other Reproductive Harm 42:39

3M ago42:39

42:39

Intimidating Proposition 65 warnings can be found on all kinds of products manufactured or distributed in the State of California. They can seem rather terrifying at first, but within the state, they are ubiquitous, on everyday objects from power tools to potato chips, dietary supplements, leather jackets, gas pumps, coffee tables, the list goes on…

1
Roman Mars Describes Santa Fe As It Is 33:21

3M ago33:21

33:21

Roman Mars is on a mission to describe the cities that shaped who he is and how he thinks about design. Next up, Santa Fe. Santa Fe wasn’t always on the proverbial map — in fact, the Santa Fe railroad just passed it on by. A lot of care has been taken to keep Santa Fe cute and quaint over its history, with steps to preserve native architecture and …

1
Lynn Larsen, Part 1: Personnel and Orchestra Manager of the Boston Symphony Orchestra 50:46

3M ago50:46

50:46

During the series of conversations I've had with people in the music business over the past 3 1/2 year, I've spoken with guests representing many aspects of music. But I haven't spoken with anybody about the give and take between orchestra management and musicians. So, who better to have on the podcast than Lynn Larsen? Lynn has been Personnel Mana…

1
The Key Change Time Machine: Reflecting the Times, Speaking to the Human Condition 48:14

3M ago48:14

48:14

It’s all systems go for season five of Key Change! But before we commence with the anniversary celebrations, co-hosts Andrea Fellows Fineberg and Anna Garcia dust off the time machine for a whirlwind tour of seasons past. Think of this episode as part process evaluation––an appraisal of Opera For All Voices (OFAV), the Santa Fe Opera initiative com…

1
The Real Book [rebroadcast] 41:43

3M ago41:43

41:43

Since the mid-1970s, almost every jazz musician has owned a copy of the same book. It has a peach-colored cover, a chunky, 1970s-style logo, and a black plastic binding. It’s delightfully homemade-looking—like it was printed by a bunch of teenagers at a Kinkos. And inside is the sheet music for hundreds of common jazz tunes—also known as jazz “stan…

1
Significant Others: A Sneak Peek at the Woman Behind Benedict Arnold’s Betrayal 7:21

4M ago7:21

7:21

It’s been said that history is written by the person at the typewriter. But who did the person who made history depend on? Often, it’s impossible to find out. But once in a while, we get lucky, and the story was not only recorded, it’s really good. Well that’s what this podcast is all about. “Significant Others” is a show that tells a story you mig…

1
Season 5: Stretching The Boundaries Of What Opera Can Be 1:07

4M ago1:07

1:07

It's season 5! This season, we're inviting you, our favorite listeners, on a journey through time and space -- traveling back in time to the origins of Key Change and Opera For All Voices and forward into the future of boundless possibilities. This spring, Andrea Fellows Feinberg and Anna Garcia take you through through the community engagement por…

1
You Are What You Watch 31:15

4M ago31:15

31:15

What we see on screen has this way of influencing our perception of the world, which makes sense because the average American spends 2 hours and 51 minutes watching movies and TV each day. That’s a whopping 19 percent of our waking hours. Walt Hickey is a data journalist and author of a new book called You Are What You Watch. In it, Walt makes a ca…

1
Richard Antoine White, Part 1: The highly inspirational Professor of Tuba at The University of New Mexico, Principal Tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic and Santa Fe Symphony, and author. Listen in to ... 52:21

4M ago52:21

52:21

Richard Antoine White (RAW Tuba) is principal tubist with the New Mexico Philharmonic, principal tuba of the Santa Fe Symphony, and a full professor of tuba at the University of New Mexico. But for more reasons than those, he has been an inspiration for those of us familiar with his life and work. For the first four years of his life, he was homele…

1
The Power Broker #02: Jamelle Bouie 1:45:20

4M ago1:45:20

1:45:20

This is the second official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. New York Times political columnist Jamelle Bouie is our book club guest. On today’s show, Elliott Kalan and Roman Mars will cover Part 3 of the book (Chapters 6 through the end of Chapter 10), discussing the major story…

1
The White Castle System of Eating Houses 42:59

4M ago42:59

42:59

White Castle has its own take on fast food hamburgers. For starters, the patties are square, with five holes in each patty. And they’re small, too –- two-and-a-half inch sliders. Just big enough to fit into the palm of your hand. And since they’re steamed on a bed of onions, everything is infused with this very specific onion-esque flavor. Today, W…

1
Between the Blocks 33:38

4M ago33:38

33:38

Seen from above, Sofia, Bulgaria, looks less like a city and more like a forest. Large "interblock park" green spaces between big apartment structures are a defining characteristic of the city. They're not so much "parks" in the formal sense, with fences and gates, just open green areas growing up in interstitial spaces left behind. But as green as…

1
Katharina Kegler, Part 1: The Versatile Piano Pedagogue and Dozentin at the Freiburg Hochschule für Musik 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

I first met pianist Katharina Kegler in 1992 when I auditioned for the position of trumpet professor at the Freiburg Musik Hochschule. Katharina was assigned to me as the accompanist for the short concert I would have to play and, unbeknownst to me, it was her first service since being hired at the Hochschule. So over many year we have not only tau…

1
Don't Forget to Remember 39:44

4M ago39:44

39:44

When a highway gets made, there’s a clear and consistent process for doing so. Not so, public memorials. From the Vietnam Wall to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, it’s always different. Sometimes a handful of concerned citizens get together and make it happen. Sometimes a nonprofit pushes for it, or a foundation. There’s usually a lot o…

1
Roman Mars Describes Chicago As It Is 37:07

5M ago37:07

37:07

A few years ago, at the very start of the pandemic, Roman Mars wrote an episode of 99pi in which he simply talked about design details in his house -- realizing that he, like the audience, didn't have many other places to go. (You should check it out. It's called "Roman Mars Describes Things As They Are"-- it’s a real time capsule and a fan favorit…

1
The Double Kick 51:47

5M ago51:47

51:47

Watch a skate video today, and you'll notice how similarly shaped the boards are. It’s called the “popsicle” design, because the deck is narrow in the middle and rounded off at both ends, like a popsicle stick. This may seem stupid simple, but that basic, clean popsicle shape is actually the product of a lot of experimentation and iteration. In 198…

1
David Bilger: Former Principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Trumpet Professor at Northwestern University and the Curtis Institute of Music 54:50

5M ago54:50

54:50

Trumpeter Dave Bilger has had a stellar career as both a performer and also as an educator. He was principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony, and following that, principal trumpet with the Philadelphia Orchestra for many years. In addition to the 27 years he's taught at the Curtis Institute of Music, he's also Professor of Trumpet at the Northwest…

1
The Power Broker #01: Robert Caro 1:33:17

5M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

Welcome to our first official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. Robert Caro happens to be our special guest for this episode and you do not get more special than that. On today’s show, Elliott Kalan and Roman Mars will cover the Introduction, Part 1, and Part 2 of the book (the in…

1
Imitation Nation 34:30

5M ago34:30

34:30

Fake cities. Imitation nations. People role-playing as civilians, spies, or enemies, complete with costumes and props. It's all part of an effort coordinated and constructed by the U.S. military to prepare soldiers for war. Fake villages designed for training purposes dot the entire United States, not to mention other countries. Researchers have id…

1
Mini-Stories: Volume 18 34:53

5M ago34:53

34:53

Our second and final set of mini-stories for the season: We'll be covering upside-down construction, the linguistics of filler and a fire that has been burning for decades. Check out Lizzie No's latest album Halfsies on Band Camp. She's on tour in 2024. Go see her and say hi for me! Mini-Stories 18By kurt kohlstedt, joe rosenberg, lizzie no

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