Vancouver Opera Offstage-logo

Vancouver Opera Offstage

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Vancouver Opera Offstage is an audio podcast with host Les Dala, chorus director and associate conductor with Vancouver Opera. Join Les every other Wednesday for this podcast as he chats with opera experts, artists, Vancouver Opera staff and others to explore the world of opera on and off the stage. This podcast offers an insider’s glimpse into the artistry, experiences, and perspectives of the talent involved in taking breathtaking opera productions from the page to the stage. For more information and to access each episode's special features such as guest Spotify lists, visit vancouveropera.ca . Continue the conversation on social media with hashtag #VOffstage.

Vancouver Opera Offstage is an audio podcast with host Les Dala, chorus director and associate conductor with Vancouver Opera. Join Les every other Wednesday for this podcast as he chats with opera experts, artists, Vancouver Opera staff and others to explore the world of opera on and off the stage. This podcast offers an insider’s glimpse into the artistry, experiences, and perspectives of the talent involved in taking breathtaking opera productions from the page to the stage. For more information and to access each episode's special features such as guest Spotify lists, visit vancouveropera.ca . Continue the conversation on social media with hashtag #VOffstage.

Location:

Canada

Description:

Vancouver Opera Offstage is an audio podcast with host Les Dala, chorus director and associate conductor with Vancouver Opera. Join Les every other Wednesday for this podcast as he chats with opera experts, artists, Vancouver Opera staff and others to explore the world of opera on and off the stage. This podcast offers an insider’s glimpse into the artistry, experiences, and perspectives of the talent involved in taking breathtaking opera productions from the page to the stage. For more information and to access each episode's special features such as guest Spotify lists, visit vancouveropera.ca . Continue the conversation on social media with hashtag #VOffstage.

Language:

English

Contact:

6046822871

Episodes

Episode 27 | Behind the Camera Lens on the Digital Season with Mike Southworth

5/5/2021
Meet Mike Southworth, who was responsible for the camerawork and videography behind Vancouver Opera's 2020–2021 Digital Season, on #VOffstage with Les Dala. Listen Now! www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage Subscribe to the season now: digital.vancouveropera.ca #VOGoesDigital In this episode, Les takes us on a glimpse behind the camera lens to get a perspective of what it takes to bring opera from the stage to the screen. Our guest is Mike Southworth, president of Collide Entertainment, who is...

Duration:00:31:35

Episode 26 | Up Close and Personal about Carmen with stage director Brenna Corner

4/7/2021
In our official Preview Podcast for Vancouver Opera's new production of Carmen: Up Close and Personal and the 26th episode of Vancouver Opera Offstage, meet Brenna Corner, director and mastermind behind this brand-new digital opera. Brenna has worked as a director, actor, singer, choreographer, and fight director across Canada, the United States, and Europe. An alumnus of Vancouver Opera's Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program, she most recently directed VO productions of Hansel and Gretel...

Duration:00:35:20

Episode 25 | The Music Shop Pre-Show, with Composer & Librettist Richard Wargo

3/2/2021
This very special 25th episode of Vancouver Opera Offstage is also the official Pre-Show talk for Vancouver Opera's The Music Shop, which premieres online Saturday, March 13. We're delighted to welcome Richard Wargo, composer of The Music Shop to talk about his creative inspirations for the opera and to share some tips for aspiring composers. Richard joins us from his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Check out our episode at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage, and don't forget to subscribe to...

Duration:00:42:18

Episode 24 | Bringing it home with prolific Canadian Stage Director Michael Cavanagh, Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera

2/3/2021
In this episode, Les chats with prolific Canadian Stage Director Michael Cavanagh. No stranger to Vancouver Opera audiences, Michael has staged numerous productions over the years including–most recently–Otello, Madama Butterfly, and Nixon in China. We're thrilled that Michael has recently been appointed as Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera. Les talks with Michael about his journey, his deep connection with VO, and the honour of being appointed to lead a major European opera...

Duration:00:49:02

Episode 23 | A Storied Career with Canadian baritone Brett Polegato

1/13/2021
In our first episode of 2021, host Les Dala is joined by celebrated Canadian baritone Brett Polegato. Brett has sung on the most important stages of the world and is also a three-time Grammy Award recipient. VO Audiences will remember him last as Belcore in 2018's L'Elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love). Brett tells us about some of his favourite roles over the year and talks about the special importance of art, literature, and poetry in the current times. Check out our episode, special...

Duration:00:37:24

Vancouver Opera's Holiday Thank You | A Touch of Brass Quintet Christmas Album "December"

12/22/2020
As we approach the end of a tumultuous year, the staff and board of Vancouver Opera want to thank you for supporting our vision and mission. Thank you for listening to our podcasts, participating in our Vision planning, generously donating, and watching our digital releases of La Voix humaine and Amahl and the Night Visitors. This season, please enjoy some holiday music from A Touch of Brass. all members who perform with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra! We hope you have a very happy holiday...

Duration:00:41:32

Episode 22 | A Holiday Treat for our Listeners!

12/16/2020
In this special seasonal episode, our last podcast of 2020, Vancouver Opera Offstage has a holiday treat for our listeners: Les shares over 40 minutes of music recorded specifically for this podcast! Inspired by Menotti retracing his childhood memories of Christmas in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Les performs some solo piano music by Hungarian composers Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, and Ernő Dohnányi, inspired by Christmas carols. Les also explores some of the history behind each composer and...

Duration:01:05:17

Episode 21 | Special Guests from Vancouver Opera's Amahl and the Night Visitors

12/2/2020
In this episode, Les takes us on a behind the scenes glimpse into the creation of Vancouver Opera's next digital opera: Amahl and the Night Visitors. This new take on a delightful holiday classic has its digital premiere on Saturday December 12th, featuring an exciting BC cast alongside members of the Vancouver Opera Chorus. This podcast's guests include Stage Director Sarah Jane Pelzer, Andreas Dala (Amahl), and Stephanie Tritchew (Mother), alongside Les (Music Director). Check out our...

Duration:00:29:19

Episode 20 | Adventures in Stage Management: Behind the Scenes with Theresa Tsang & Marijka Asbeek Brusse

11/17/2020
In this, our 20th episode, Les chats with two of Vancouver Opera's fabulous stage managers, Marijka Asbeek Brusse and Theresa Tsang. We'll go on a virtual tour of what goes on in opera in the rehearsal hall and from backstage of a major opera company. Theresa and Marijka will share experiences and challenges from their unique perspective and give us a unique glimpse of what some of their favourite productions look like from behind the curtains. Check out our special features for the...

Duration:00:46:20

Episode 19 | Highlights of two decades with former VO General Director Jim Wright

11/4/2020
In this episode, Les speaks with Jim (James) Wright, former General Director of Vancouver Opera who led the company from 1999-2016. As the longest-serving General Director in the company's history, Vancouver Opera presented a wide range of repertoire during his tenure including the world premieres of Lillian Alling, Stickboy, and the Canadian premiere of Nixon in China. Jim also oversaw the creation of our community engagement program Opera Speaks and the appointment of Jonathan Darlington...

Duration:00:46:45

Episode 18 | An inspirational journey with mezzo-soprano and star of La Voix humaine, Mirelle Lebel

10/21/2020
In this episode, Les chats with Canadian mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel, who will be starring in Vancouver Opera's Digital Season Opening Production, La Voix humaine. Last appearing as Siébel in Vancouver Opera's 2019 production of Faust, Mireille grew up in Vancouver and was a member of the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal before making critically successful debuts with opera companies and orchestras in Europe and North America. Check out our special features for the episode, including...

Duration:00:30:50

Episode 17 | Singing with the Greats with Tenor and UBC Voice and Opera Professor J. Patrick Raftery

10/7/2020
In this episode, Les chats with J. Patrick Raftery, who is professor of voice and opera at UBC and who has had an illustrious singing career as both a tenor and a baritone. Recipient of the Richard Tucker Music Foundation Prize, Patrick has appeared on the world's greatest stages including the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala and the Paris Opera to name a few. He has shared the stage with some of the greatest operatic legends including Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni. Check...

Duration:00:47:20

Episode 16 | Introductions from the 2020-2021 Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists!

9/23/2020
In this very special video and audio episode, Les is proud to feature a series of introductions from the talented participants of our 2020–2021 Yulanda M Faris Young Artists Program. We’ll be meeting Toronto-based stage director Dana Fradkin, Vancouver-based baritone Luka Kawabata, Toronto soprano Jonelle Sills, tenor Ian Cleary who hails from Chatham, Ontario, Vancouver-based pianist Amy Seulky Lee, and mezzo-soprano Amanda Weatherall, originally from Cranbrook, BC. The Yulanda M. Faris...

Duration:00:31:51

Episode 15 | Transforming adversity to creative inspiration with The Kettle Society and the Can You Hear Me? Project's Lesley Sutherland, Jerry LaFaery, and Coreen Douglas

9/9/2020
In this episode, Vancouver Opera's Director of Learning and Engagement, Colleen Maybin brings you an uplifting story about music, connection, and community. The Can You Hear Me? Project is an unique choral video from Vancouver Opera and longtime community partner, The Kettle Society, conceived as a way to shine a light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the members of The Kettle Choir and Writers Guild. Run out of The Kettle on Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver, these two unique...

Duration:00:32:27

Episode 14 | Sharing the love of performance with Hungarian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó

8/26/2020
In this episode, Les chats with we're speaking with Hungarian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó from her home in Toronto. Highly sought after in North America and Europe on both opera stages and concert halls, Krisztina has an impressive repertoire ranging from Bach to Claude Vivier as well as several world premieres, including George Benjamin's opera Lessons in Love and Violence which was nominated for a Grammy award. She last appeared at Vancouver Opera as Donna Elvira in the 2014...

Duration:00:31:33

Episode 13 | Keeping pace with internationally respected conductor and former VO Music Director David Agler

8/12/2020
In this episode, Les catches up with internationally respected conductor David Agler. David was Music Director of Vancouver Opera from 1992 to 1999 and recently stepped down after a 16-year tenure as Artistic Director of the prestigious Wexford Festival. David has held leadership positions in opera companies throughout the world and guest conducted across Canada, the US and Europe. David joins us from his home in Vancouver. Check out our special features for the episode, including an...

Duration:00:27:58

Episode 12 | Imagining the future for opera with soprano and multidisciplinary performer Teiya Kasahara & tenor Asitha Tennekoon, co-founders of Amplified Opera

7/29/2020
In this episode, Les chats with Teiya Kasahara & Asitha Tennekoon, co-founders of Amplified Opera. Teiya 笠原貞野 (they/them) is a queer, gender non-binary, multi-disciplinary performer/creator, and first-generation Nikkei-Canadian settler of Japanese and German roots. Teiya comes from a background of over a decade of singing both traditional and contemporary operatic roles across North America and Europe. VO audiences last saw them as the Queen of the Night in our 2013 BC First Nations inspired...

Duration:00:44:12

Episode 11 | Shaping the voices of tomorrow with UBC Opera's legendary Nancy Hermiston

7/15/2020
In this episode, Les chats with Nancy Hermiston, Director of the University of British Columbia Opera Ensemble, and Chair of the UBC School of Music's Voice and Opera Divisions. Nancy's prestigious career has taken her across the globe. She is the inspiration and mentor to many local artists including our recent guests Rachel Fenlon and Simone Osborne, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada for her achievements as an opera singer, stage director and educator. Check out our special...

Duration:00:51:32

Episode 10 | Canadian Visions with Tapestry Opera's Michael Hidetoshi Mori and First Nations mezzo-soprano Marion Newman of Amplified Opera

7/1/2020
In this very special July 1st episode, Les is joined by co-host Colleen Maybin, Vancouver Opera's Director of Learning and Engagement. With international focus turning a critical eye on systemic racial injustice, this Canada Day will be a day of reflection for many. Guests Michael Hidetoshi Mori and Marion Newman join us for a discussion about cultural representation in opera and the directions that the art form can take to better reflect the experiences of Canada's cultural mosaic. Michael...

Duration:00:46:23

Episode 9 | Coaches in Conversation: Demystifying the role of the répétiteur with Kinza Tyrrell and Tina Chang

6/24/2020
In this very special "Coaches in Conversation" episode, available in both video and audio, Les is joined by members of the wonderful music staff at Vancouver Opera: Kinza Tyrrell, Principle Répétiteur and Associate Chorus Director and Tina Chang, Pianist and Répétiteur. Les, Kinza, and Tina discuss the role of the répétiteur in opera and de-mystify this rather exotic-sounding title. This episode is available on Vancouver Opera’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube) as...

Duration:00:49:23

See More