Best Opera After Dark Podcasts (2024)

1
New Year, New Look, New Episode 56:57

8M ago56:57

56:57

After a LONG hiatus, the girls are back! Hannah, Jess and Gina ring in 2024 with their individual top 5 rankings of their favorite Degrassi fights (and no, Tristan vs the Bus does not make an appearance). We discuss the best of the best - from actual fight choreography to iconic dialogue, and of course go off on off-topic tangents, including Hannah…

1
Little Miss Steaks Enjoyers Interview 1:08:13

11M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Surprise episode drop! This week, Hannah, Jess and Gina were honored to interview two individuals who have kind of been the backbone of the Degrassi fandom in recent years: Mari and JC! Mari and JC run the Little Miss Steaks Enjoyers Podcast, which is dedicated to discussing and appreciating the black female characters of the show. These two have c…

1
819-22 Degrassi Goes Hollywood 55:31

1y ago55:31

55:31

Hannah, Jess and Gina venture to the TNG years to discuss the should've-been-Oscar-nominated masterpiece, Degrassi Goes Hollywood. The girls debate over Ellie, rage about how unfair of an ending this was for Paige and celebrate Manny Santos and the arguably the greatest Degrassi couple of all time, Janny. Plus Craig's eating ketchup chips with Pete…

1
S1043-44 Drop The World 47:18

1y ago47:18

47:18

Hannah, Jess and Gina welcome on long time friend and DTC member Brooke to discuss the "In Too Deep" finale that shook middle schools across North America. Fiona's in love with Holly J, Jenna tells KC to play basketball and we are going to get Munro Chambers an Emmy for this episode somehow. Season 10 is a much beloved era by 2/3 of your hosts, and…

1
S12E39-40 The Time of My Life 1:00:30

1y ago1:00:30

1:00:30

This was supposed to be a recap of the season twelve finale, but in true Degrassi After Dark fashion, it turns into utter chaos. The girls gush over their love for MariMo and Jake/Mo ("I was hoping maybe our kids could play together"), and debate over whether or not Imogen deserves to be as loved as she is. In the midst of it all, they recap EClare…

1
Welcome to Degrassi 37:40

1y ago37:40

37:40

In the inaugural episode of Degrassi: After Dark, Hannah, Gina and Jess reminisce over the best and worst of their favorite teen drama. Years of friendship between the three leads to a ton of laughter and cringing, but mostly, Hannah going off on tangents about the fandom. Which cast member do they want to meet? Why was the cast so involved in the …

1
Ep. 132: Rage Arias 53:45

3+ y ago53:45

53:45

What do you do when you find yourself filled with rage? In the opera world, you sing an emotionally charged Rage Aria. In this episode, we're talking about some of opera's most rageful moments.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 131: Insertion Arias 34:36

3+ y ago34:36

34:36

What is a singer to do when the composer didn't right a banging aria for their character, or their aria leaves something to be desired? Insert a favorite aria of their choosing! It's hard to believe that this actually happened in the world of professional opera, but it turns out this was commonplace for much of opera's history.…

1
Ep. 130: Holiday Albums 57:25

3+ y ago57:25

57:25

Happy Holidays from Opera After Dark! We all love (or love to hate) a good holiday album. In this episode we discuss some of the most notable holiday albums by opera stars.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 129: The opera about the moon 38:04

3+ y ago38:04

38:04

When you think about an opera about the Moon, does 20th-century music come to mind, or maybe the 21st? It turns out the first opera about space came way back in 1777. We hope you enjoy hearing about the Classical Era space opera, Il mondo della luna.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 128: Papa Haydn 38:46

3+ y ago38:46

38:46

In the realm of classical music, there are few individuals as influential as Franz Joseph Haydn. Though not known for his operas, Haydn is the original master of the symphony and string quartet, and definitely lived an interesting life.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 127: José Maurício Nunes Garcia 36:06

4y ago36:06

36:06

Haven't heard of José Maurício? Neither had we! But it turns out he was a prolific Brazilian composer of the Classical Era, with over 200 published works and a Requiem that got the attention of Europe's best composers.By Opera After Dark

1
Episode 126: Duke Ellington and Queenie Pie 46:04

4y ago46:04

46:04

In addition to his many accolades in the jazz world, Duke Ellington is another notable composer that tried his hand at opera. Though Ellington never finished his opera Queenie Pie, he definitely left us with some great tunes!By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 125: Il Giasone 49:55

4y ago49:55

49:55

Who knew that the most popular opera from the 17th-century was about some guy named Jason?! Apparently Elspeth did. Before you start imagining an opera about a '90s frat boy, you should know this opera is actually based on a Greek myth and composed by the most successful composer of its era.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 124: Scott Joplin & Treemonisha 37:35

4y ago37:35

37:35

Opera After Dark is back for season 5!! And we're kicking things off by talking about the greatest ragtime composer of all, Scott Joplin. Don't worry, we're not abandoning our roots. In addition to being the king of ragtime, Mr. Joplin also composed for the operatic stage.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 123: Victoria and Albert 57:39

4y ago57:39

57:39

With Memorial Day upon us (USA) and Victoria Day (Canada) just passed, we are taking the opportunity to talk about Queen Victoria and her love of opera, which she shared with her husband Prince Albert.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 122: Carl Maria von Weber 34:56

4+ y ago34:56

34:56

In today's episode, we talk about opera composer/conductor, Carl Maria von Weber. He was revolutionary in developing the role of the modern conductor, but of course, his life was full of scandal as well....By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 121: Opera in Times of Crisis 50:46

4+ y ago50:46

50:46

COVID-19 is impacting the entirety of the world, not the least of which is the impact on the classical music community. In this episode, we take a look at some of the impacts on the opera world, and also talk about some moments throughout history in which opera faced and overcame crisis.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 120: Der fliegende Holländer 1:01:58

4+ y ago1:01:58

1:01:58

In this episode, we talk about the opera that Wagner considered his first "true" work - DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER! Or, The Flying Dutchman. Its got leitmotifs. Its got arias. Its got orchestral storms with lots of brass. Its got a love triangle, a curse, a ghost ship, a ghost captain, and a obsessive leading lady. What more could you want in an opera…

1
Ep. 119: Maria de Buenos Aires 37:36

4+ y ago37:36

37:36

Most Opera After Dark episodes are recorded weeks in advance so you won't hear any mention of COVID-19 in today's episode, but please remember to support your local arts companies and artists during this crazy time.In the episode, we talk about the world's first, and perhaps only, tango opera: Maria de Buenos Aires. We hope you enjoy learning about…

1
Ep. 118: Werther 1:02:22

4+ y ago1:02:22

1:02:22

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 117: Maria Callas... and Holograms 52:12

4+ y ago52:12

52:12

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 116: Porgy and Bess 45:41

4+ y ago45:41

45:41

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 115: The Fiery Angel 27:49

4+ y ago27:49

27:49

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 114: Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev! 43:21

4+ y ago43:21

43:21

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 113: Song Cycles - The Schus 1:02:18

4+ y ago1:02:18

1:02:18

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 112: Song Cycles - The Origin 39:01

4+ y ago39:01

39:01

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 111: More Holiday Favorites 20:40

4+ y ago20:40

20:40

By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 110: Queen Of Spades 49:39

4+ y ago49:39

49:39

Tchaikovsky's last opera may not be as well known as some of his other works, but the Queen of Spades still packs a punch. Today, the OAD team fills you in on the best aspects of this Russian classic.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 109: The Tenor High C 33:04

4+ y ago33:04

33:04

This week Kyle takes the reigns to talk about one of opera's most-loved phenomenons: the tenor high C. It wasn't always part of the opera world, but once it arrived, it changed things forever.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 108: The Cunning Little Vixen 38:49

4+ y ago38:49

38:49

What a pleasure it is revisit the music of one of our favorite composers: Leos Janacek! If you like beautiful orchestration and cute animal stories (which should include everyone), The Cunning Little Vixen is definitely the opera for you.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 107: Akhnaten 34:41

5y ago34:41

34:41

Following our last episode all about Philip Glass, this episode goes deep into the third opera in his portrait trilogy: AKHNATEN! We talk about the music, the inspiration and creative process, the source material, the text of the libretto, the real historical Akhnaten (including theories that his whole family were aliens) and his very complicated f…

1
Ep. 106: Philip Glass 42:40

5y ago42:40

42:40

So many good things come out of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.... like minimalist opera! In this episode, we talk about the life and work of Philip Glass, and dig into the style of minimalism! He actually dislikes being labelled a "minimalist" composer - but it's helpful in understanding the historical context and impact of his work in the grand scheme of …

1
Ep. 105: Samuel Barber and Vanessa 57:35

5y ago57:35

57:35

In this episode, we talk all about the great American composer Samuel Barber and one of his greatest operatic works - that we think should be done more often - VANESSA!By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 104: Manon vs. Manon Lescaut 51:58

5y ago51:58

51:58

In 1731, Antoine François Prévost introduced the character of Manon to the world through his "smutty" novel L'Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut, and she has seduced audiences time and again ever since! In this episode, we talk about the two operas that have survived in the modern canon that tell her story - one by Massenet, and o…

1
Ep. 103: Rosemary Brown 27:55

5y ago27:55

27:55

As Halloween approaches, our favorite composers visit us from beyond the grave via composer/medium: Rosemary Brown. That's right, Rosemary Brown became world famous for "transcribing" works of dead composers who she claimed visited her from the beyond. Do you believe in ghosts? Maybe you should listen to these incredibly believable compositions bef…

1
Ep. 102: Lucia di Lammermoor 41:31

5y ago41:31

41:31

Over a year ago, the OAD team was in Scotland for the wedding of our very own Elspeth. Of course, when an opera fan hears Scottish wedding only one thing should come to mind: Lucia di Lammermoor. In this episode, recorded the morning after Elspeth's wedding, we discuss the epic story of Lucia and the mad scene that made this opera famous.…

1
Ep. 101: Tudor Mania! 39:31

5y ago39:31

39:31

Everyone loves a British Queen, especially Italians composing opera in the early 1800s! On this episode, we talk about bel canto tudor mania, and a present day parallel coming to Broadway this spring!By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 100: Lulu 55:34

5y ago55:34

55:34

For our 100th episode, we tackle one of the difficult operas to talk about concisely... Berg's LULU! It is NOT funny, it is NOT uplifting, it is NOT easy to talk about concisely... but it is one of the most important operas of the 20th century, and it was a listener request... so here we go! Thank you for listening, and here is to 100 MORE episodes…

1
Ep. 99: Handel 43:12

5y ago43:12

43:12

This episode, and its horrible puns, are almost too much to Handel. We talk all about the most prolific opera composer of the Baroque period, George Fridric Handel, and the near-death experience that almost ended his career before it began.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 98: Salome 47:16

5y ago47:16

47:16

When thinking of a scandalous opera, Salome is usually the first to come to mind. In this episode we talk about Salome's success from scandal, and exactly what makes this opera so challenging in every sense of the word.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 97: The summer that was, and the year ahead 44:43

5y ago44:43

44:43

Opera After Dark is back for a fourth season! To kick things off, we recount the summer's adventures and look ahead at exciting productions to come in the 19-20 opera season.By Opera After Dark

1
Bonus: As One 14:56

5y ago14:56

14:56

In a bonus mini-episode, we talk about As One, a modern opera by Laura Kaminsky, Mark Campbell, and Kimberly Reed. This comes ahead of our meet up on June 4 prior to seeing a performance of the opera at Merkin Concert Hall in NYC. For full details, visit the Opera After Dark Facebook page.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 96: Season 3 Finale 33:43

5y ago33:43

33:43

The 18-19 opera season is coming to a close, so we're wrapping season 3 of Opera After Dark with a look back at our favorite operatic moments from the past year. Also, we hint at some exciting new content and live events to come! Make sure you subscribe and follow us on social media to get full updates and information!…

1
Ep. 95: Götterdämmerung 1:18:28

5+ y ago1:18:28

1:18:28

We have come to the end of the Ring with an epic, over-an-hour-long episode on the final opera in the cycle: Götterdämmerung! In this episode, we talk about more tarnhelm shenanigans, magic potions, disguises, revenge, murder, pleas for help, a depressed Wotan, a mezzo Valkyrie, the only moment in the Ring where the chorus gets to sing, we meet a b…

1
Ep. 94: Siegfried 53:52

5+ y ago53:52

53:52

This week, we're back to Wagner's Ring Cycle, but still talking about a super hero origin story of sorts. A young man who knows no fear, the reforging of magical and powerful weapon, slaying a dragon, rescuing a woman from a deep sleep in dangerous surroundings - this sounds familiar...By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 93: Avengers Fantasy Casting 49:06

5+ y ago49:06

49:06

Today is the release date (in the US) for the highly-anticipated film, Avengers: End Game. Since it's been way to long since we've done this, and because we know there are many opera/super hero fans out there, we're fantasy casting our dream Avengers Opera. Have thoughts about our choices? Find us at operaafterdark.com and let us know!…

1
Ep. 92: Jenufa 41:30

5+ y ago41:30

41:30

Taking a break from all the Wagner and thanks to a listener request, we're diving into Jenufa, by composer Leos Janacek. This opera is pretty dark, but filled with rich and beautiful music that matches a dark time in the composer's own life.By Opera After Dark

1
Ep. 91: Die Walküre 1:04:55

5+ y ago1:04:55

1:04:55

We are back with the next installment of Wagner's epic Ring Cycle, DIE WALKÜRE! Kyle is excited for the ride of the Valkyries. Elspeth is still against this whole thing. And this is probably Naomi's favourite opera of the cycle (we spelled "favourite" the Canadian way, just for her). We also learn more about leitmotifs in this episode. And swords s…

1
Ep. 90: Das Rheingold 50:22

5+ y ago50:22

50:22

The OAD team embarks on Wagner's epic opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen, AKA the Ring Cycle. Of course, we must start with the first of the four operas: Das Rheingold. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into Wagner's mythological world inspired by Norse mythology.By Opera After Dark

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