Opera Reality

Bobby goes solo for what will be the final podcast episode for the time being. Words of wisdom for the future and happy holidays! Thank you for listening!

Bobby opens the show with why he feels there has been a significant decline in great voices over the last 25 years. David Salazar comes on to touch on that along with other opera-related news. Nicole discusses On-Site Opera's Amahl and the Night Visitors and Katie touches on advent and church gigs during the holiday season. Finally, the group picks their all-time Don Giovanni cast from the Met On-Demand recordings and videos. It's the OR!

Bobby returns to the OR just in time for the new format. Mysti Byrnes from Opera Louisiane comes on and chats about the petition and the point of view of opera companies. Megan Pachecano is invited on for an argument with Bobby. It's the new OR!

The ladies (and Lucas) take control and invite our buddy Megan Pachecano on the pod to discuss Met Chorus work, fach changes, freelancing, ghost stories (Halloween, duh), and our favorite musical moments. Bobby swore she'd never be on...but we've taken over! It's the O.R.!

While Bobby's away, the girls will...still do the podcast. Our buddy Lucas Levy is subbing in for good ol' Bob while he's off making opera noises. Nicole and Katie went into the world and saw opera! Keith Phares is with us to discuss new music, originating roles, and working with composers! It's the O.R.!

On Bobby's last podcast (for a few weeks, don't get too excited) we discuss what it's like to be a woman in the industry - with many related tangents. Bobby has free reign to ask the ladies questions - what could go wrong? Come along, won't you? It's the O.R.!

Roberto Kalb joins us to talk about his experience with auditions, moving from assistant conductor to the maestro's chair, and various other aspects of his professional life. Nicole saw an opera on the High Line. Katie is angry about not getting PFOs. Bobby spent $975.02 on his car maintenance this morning. THIS IS THE OR!!! Visit https://myparsifalconductor.com/ and enter code MPCMKT for $47.00 tickets to regular performances (Oct 12 – Nov 3) Direct Link:...

Brandon Neal joins the OR team to discuss his position with Santa Fe Opera and diversity in opera. You won't want to miss this interview. Nicole comes back to New York. (Shrugs) The three hosts are back together for the first time since the middle of last year. It's the OR!!

Thank god for Weston Hurt. Weston Hurt came on and talked about being a singer with a disability and helping young singers with tips to guide them through their audition season. It was both informative and inspirational. Bobby, Nicole, and Katie basically phoned in the rest of the show. Nicole phoned it in literally. It's the OR!!!!

The OR returns. It may not be all about opera but it sure was fun. Danielle Pastin talks about her career and life. Nicole is suffering from Panda Express. Katie and Bobby tell Staten Island stories. Oh, and we cover the summer in opera... IT'S THE OR!!!!

Episode 30 is the end of season one! Donate to help the OR for season two here https://www.gofundme.com/help-the-or-help-you?sharetype=teams&member=105860&rcid=r01-152531936908-3628471392154340&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w - Geoffrey Agpalo discusses life as a solo singer and chorister at the Lyric in Chicago. Katie and Nicole talk about being yourself. Bobby opens up his rough draft to save the opera world through a hierarchy. It's the OR!

Episode 29 opens a major debate between the three OR hosts regarding the MONC. Josh Blue joins the podcast to speak about his experience singing in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Semi-Finals. Marco Cammarota is this week's guest, discussing his time, in detail, spent at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia! This is the OR!!

Episode 28 brings Jennifer Williams on the program to discuss audience engagement and sexual harassment in the business. Nicole speaks regarding reviewers and their uncanny ability to rip into singers. Bobby talks about a conversation with his colleagues, prior to the podcast, about singer fees. It's the OR!!!

Episode 27 covers the turmoil with world-famous soprano Anna Netrebko. Caroline Koelker comes on and talks about her life as Executive Director of Opera Maine, formerly known as PORTopera. This is quite the OR, I do declare... ;)

The OR talks singing in Germany with mezzo Jennifer Panara. Bobby rants about sharing food and drinks with colleagues as Katie tries to reason with him. Nicole is sick again. IT'S THE OR!!

Steven LaBrie joins us on the OR! Bobby is both overly complimentary and playfully combative. Steven talks about being a part of a festival season and how he found his way to opera. Nicole explains the shenanigans that happened in the audience during the Met's production of Cosi fan tutte. The OR discusses the Shoperatic article about Layla J. Felder written by Eugenia Forteza. It's the OR!!

Episode 24 has guest Rachelle Pike on the program talking about moving to the United States and the process that goes into that move as a foreigner. Bobby comes up with headlines regarding a certain firing at the Met. Katie and Nicole take full control of the interview. It's the O.R.!

Episode 23 invites a great conversation with the wonderful Ellen Schlaefer who is from the University of South Carolina and is the general director of FBN Productions in Columbia, SC. Bobby, Katie, and Nicole discuss the top 25 operas performed in Canada and the US in the 2016-2017 season. Nicole attended the ARE Opera production of Romeo et Juliette and Katie and Nicole talk about the Metropolitan Opera Eastern Regionals. It's the O.R.!!

Opera Reality has the one and only Rob Ainsley as its guest. Rob speaks about his life, what he looks for in Young Artists for Washington National Opera's young artist program, and he discusses the American Opera Initiative. Eugenia Forteza and Bobby engage in a heated dispute over singing. Nicole and Katie side with Eugenia. Nicole dreams of doing the outro and succeeds. It's the O.R.!!

Episode 21 is full of great stories, insight, and laughs with Maestro Thomas Muraco on the program. The O.R. adds a new co-host to the mix by bringing back Katie Papa. Nicole relaxes knowing her responsibilities have dropped even more. Bobby is excited about having someone to actually talk to on the podcast. Katie talks about a new Donizetti Opera that was recently discovered. Bobby makes up a Napoleon named French Emperor. The group discusses a lack of female composers and conductors in the...