Portland Opera's podcast
Tune in to Portland Opera's podcast, now in its second season! Hosted and created by Director of Artistic Planning & Operations Alfrelynn Roberts this new program sets out to confront opera stereotypes, explore the stories and characters, share behind-the-scenes info about upcoming productions, and more. New episodes are released each week here and on Spotify.
In this episode, we're thrilled to share a captivating pre-show talk featuring our Portland Opera's Scholar in Residence and Portland State University Professor, Dr. Harry Baechtel.
From the opera's historical context and the bohemian world of 1830s Paris to the emotional depth of its unforgettable characters like Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, and Marcello, Dr. Baechtel illuminates the genius behind this timeless love story.
Discover the musical themes that makes La Bohème one of the most performed operas in the world, learn about Puccini's compositional techniques, and gain insights that will enrich your experience of this heartbreaking tale of young love, friendship, and loss.
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of Puccini's beloved masterpiece with the cast and creative team of La Bohème.
General Director Sue Dixon moderates this engaging conversation, beginning with an exclusive design presentation by Director of Production Anna Labykina, offering insight into the visual world of our production. Then, hear directly from the artists and creatives about the challenges, discoveries, and magic of bringing this iconic opera to the stage, from the emotional depths of "Donde Lieta" to the soaring romance of the garret duet.
In this episode, Associate Director of Education and Outreach Alexis Hamilton sits down with licensed therapist and accomplished Portland Opera Chorus soprano Gina Adorno for a fascinating conversation about Puccini's La Bohème. Together, they explore how Puccini masterfully builds relationships between his characters, capturing the love, friendship, and heartbreak that make this opera so deeply human.
In this episode, we dive into Puccini's La Bohème and talk about the romance between Rodolfo and Mimì, and the deep, messy, and moving friendship among the men who share that drafty Paris garret.
We'll explore where the word bohemian comes from, how Puccini transformed Henri Murger's stories into one of opera's most beloved works, and why this tale of love, art, and survival still resonates today.
With a touch of humor and a lot of heart, we'll uncover how La Bohème captures this season's theme: Love Through Adversity.
In this episode, we sit down with two extraordinary artists bringing an untold American story to the stage.
Grammy-nominated composer Aaron Nigel Smith and world-renowned director Jerry Dixon join us for an intimate conversation about their groundbreaking new work, York, the Explorer!, a folk opera that illuminates the life of an enslaved man whose journey alongside Lewis and Clark has remained in the shadows of history for far too long.
Discover how Smith's evocative score and Dixon's visionary direction merge to create a powerful theatrical experience that honors York's humanity and resilience. Our guests share the creative process behind this historic world premiere, exploring how they've woven together folk traditions, operatic artistry, and historical truth to tell a story that resonates deeply with our current moment.
York, the Explorer! makes its world premiere October 24 & 25 at the Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. Don't miss this opportunity to witness opera history in the making. For tickets, visit reser.org.
In this episode, Associate Director of Education Outreach Alexis Hamilton sits down with internationally recognized director Kristine McIntyre. Known for her innovative productions across the country and her work creating and adapting youth operas for Portland Opera, Kristine shares how she brings stories to life on stage.
In this special episode of Opera Talk, General Director Sue Dixon and Artistic Director Alfrelynn Roberts sit down to share an inside look at Portland Opera's new season. With the theme "Love Through Adversity," this season presents stories of passion, resilience, and the transformative power of music to overcome life's challenges.
In this episode, we're bringing you a special treat! We go behind the scenes with the cast and director of Portland Opera to Go: The Elixir of Love, recorded live, just ahead of performances on September 19 & 20 at the Winningstad Theatre in downtown Portland.
Associate Director of Education & Outreach, Alexis Hamilton, moderates a lively conversation full of laughter, insight, and a few surprises. You'll hear directly from acclaimed stage director Kristine McIntyre as well as artists Jietong Fu, Stacee Firestone, Wayne Arthur, and Edward Tavalin. They will talk about what it's like to bring Donizetti's romantic comedy to life in this unique touring production, from playful character dynamics to the magic of sharing opera with schools and communities across Oregon.
Don't miss this fun, engaging chat with the creative team that makes the music (and the love potion!) sparkle onstage.
In this special kickoff episode, we sit down with Grammy Award-winning soprano and Portland Opera Artistic Ambassador Karen Slack for a conversation with Marketing Director Christina Post. Together, they discuss Karen's powerful program, African Queens, opening the season at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, and the inspiration behind this celebration of resilience, history, and song.
We're proud to record Opera Talk at the Audacy studios, with sound engineering by the phenomenal Brian Blair. Huge thanks to our friends at Audacy for their support as our corporate partner in bringing these stories to life.
Join us as we kick off a season filled with unforgettable performances, meaningful connections, and the enduring spirit of Love Through Adversity.
Listen to episodes from our first season of Opera Talk.
Join us for an introduction to our 60th anniversary season and learn more about upcoming productions, programming, and special events.
In this episode, we sit down with Alexis Hamilton, Portland Opera’s Manager of Education and Community Engagement, to explore the transformative power of opera in our communities.
In the first part of this episode, we explore the creation of Shizue: An American Story with composer Kenji Oh and librettist and director Dmae Lo Roberts.
The second and third parts of this episode continue with the cast and creative team of Shizue: An American Story discussing the emotional depth of the production and how the music and narrative intertwine. As a bonus, the cast presents select musical moments of the opera's most moving scenes.
In this episode, meet two of Portland Opera's rising stars: Resident Artists Erin Roth Thomas (mezzo soprano) and Nathaniel Catasca (tenor).
This episode is the first segment in the Opera 101 series. Alexis Hamilton, Manager of Education and Community Engagement at Portland Opera, tackles common opera stereotypes that often deter audiences from experiencing this incredible art form.
In this episode, we introduce you to more of Portland Opera's exceptional Resident Artists: soprano Ginaia Black, baritone Matthew Maisano, and returning collaborative pianist Claire Forstman.
In this special episode, Sue Dixon, General Director of Portland Opera, delivers a powerful message on the essential role of the arts and the impact of civic engagement.
Dive into the artistry behind Howard Blake's Shakespeare Songs and The Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet.
Coming soon!
Join us for a unique narrated journey into The Juliet Letters and Shakespeare Songs. Contributors Alfrelynn Roberts, Fenlon Lamb, and Marty Hughley will each read their thoughts on the works.
In this episode, we explore Guiseppe Verdi's Falstaff, a comedic masterpiece brimming with wit, charm, and human folly. Whether you're new to opera or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode offers a bite-sized look into the humor, heart, and artistry that make Falstaff a unique and delightful experience.
Celebrate the conclusion of Portland Opera to Go's inspiring education tour across Oregon, presenting Shizue: An American Story. This episode features the voices of POGO artists soprano Lindsey Nakatani, mezzo-soprano Chihiro Asano, tenor Jietong Fu, and baritone Edward Tavalin. They are joined by music director Gyan Singh Maria, cellist Casey Johnson, and stage manager Stephen Gardner to bring this poignant production to life.
In this installment of our Opera 101 series, Alexis Hamilton, Portland Opera's Manager of Education and Outreach dives into the fascinating world of operatic conventions, introducing the essential elements that make opera the art form we know and love.
Join Alexis Hamilton, Portland Opera's Manager of Education and Community Engagement, for the final installment of our Opera 101 series: a whirlwind tour of opera history!
This month, we're celebrating Black History Month with our Opera in Black series, highlighting the artistry and contributions of Black opera singers, creators, and administrators.
In our inaugural episode, we sit down with extraordinary Jasmine Johnson—a powerhouse contralto and Portland Opera's Civic Engagement and Partnerships Manager.
In the second episode of our Opera in Black series, we spotlight the powerful voices of Black artists in the Portland Opera Chorus. This insightful conversation with Onry, Quinton Gardner, and Gregory Brumfield captures their journeys in opera, the challenges and triumphs of their careers, and the importance of representation in the industry.
Prepare to step in the haunting world of The Shining! Portland Opera's upcoming production brings Stephen King's iconic horror novel to the operatic stage, and in this special episode of Opera Talk, we take you behind the scenes.
Recorded live at the Meet & Greet with the cast and creative team, this conversation offers a first look at the artistic vision, musical challenges, and spine-tingling moments that make this production unforgettable.
What makes The Shining such an enduring and terrifying story? In this episode Dr. Harry Baechtel - Portland Opera's resident scholar and pre-show lecturer unravels the impact of The Shining across literature, film, and now, opera.
In this special two-part series, Opera on the Couch, we jump into the fascinating intersection of opera and psychoanalysis. Portland Opera's Manager of Education and Community Engagement, Alexis Hamilton, is joined by experts Dr. Kathryn Zerbe and Dr. Cody Evans from the Oregon Psychoanalytic Center. Together, they explore the foundations of psychoanalysis and its profound connections to the arts.
In this second episode of our Opera on the Couch series, Portland Opera's Manager of Education and Community Engagement, Alexis Hamilton, continues the conversation with Dr. Kathryn Zerbe and Dr. Cody Evans from the Oregon Psychoanalytic Center—this time delving into The Shining through the lens of Stephen King's novel.
We celebrate the opening night of The Shining with an exclusive conversation featuring composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell.
In this episode of Opera Talk, we are celebrating Women's History month a bit differently as we explore the brilliant, dynamic women at the heart of Verdi's final masterpiece, Falstaff.
In this episode of Opera Talk, we are thrilled to unveil our 2025/2026 season! A season that embraces the very core of opera's emotional power: Love Through Adversity.
We're joined by Dr. Harry Baechtel, Portland Opera's Resident Opera Scholar from Portland State University, as he dives into Verdi's Falstaff, a comic masterpiece and the final opera from one of the greatest composers ever.
On Friday, June 13, at the Winningstad Theatre, we'll host a special 60th anniversary celebration concert at 6PM.
This concert features the Portland Opera Orchestra, conducted by Damien Geter, with our incredible Resident Artists—Ginaia Black, soprano, Erin Roth Thomas, mezzo soprano, Nathaniel Catasca, tenor, and Matthew Maisano, bass—and guest soprano, Ibidunni Ojikutu.
In this encore episode, we explore Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff, a comedic masterpiece brimming with wit, charm, and human folly.
This episode offers a bite-sized look into the humor, heart, and artistry that make Falstaff a unique and delightful experience.
In this episode, we're shining a spotlight on the people who help guide and grow the company from behind the curtain, our Board of Directors and Young Patrons Society.
Opera Talk can also be streamed on Spotify. Don't miss an episode by following us here.
Have a story idea for our podcast? Contact host Alfrelynn Roberts at aroberts@portlandopera.org.
