Ep. 39: Dame Ethel Smyth

Ep. 39: Dame Ethel Smyth

Author: Opera After Dark October 20, 2017 Duration: 26:16
The third and final installment of OAD's current run of opera's badass women features Dame Ethel Smyth, who for over 100 years was the only female composer to have a work performed at the Met! Her badass-ness goes far beyond her compositions, and lead her into some interesting places like prison and the bedroom of a literary giant.

The backstage world of opera and classical music is far stranger and more human than its polished, public facade suggests. Opera After Dark pulls back the velvet curtain, guided by the informal, wine-fueled conversations of hosts Naomi Barrettara, Elspeth Davis, and Kyle Homewood. This isn't a lecture hall; it's the feeling of lingering at a kitchen table after a show, dissecting the scandalous affairs, bitter rivalries, and outright bizarre true stories that fueled the creation of history's most revered music. Each episode feels like an intimate gathering where the "high art" is approached with genuine curiosity, irreverent humor, and a shared sense of discovery. You'll hear about composers' chaotic personal lives, the hidden meanings in iconic scores, and the moments where sheer genius collided with utter madness. The tone of this podcast is conversational and unpretentious, built on the idea that the most profound connections to this music often happen when we're relaxed enough to see the people behind the pedestals. Tune in for stories that are passionate, surprising, and deeply entertaining, all shared with the warmth and ease of friends who love pulling the thread to see what unravels.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Opera After Dark
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 43: The Merlin Opera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
This week we bring you another random and obscure opera, this time about King Arthur and his homie Merlin. Created by little-known composer Isaac Albeniz and the lesser-known Baron/librettist Francis Money-Coutts, it too…
Ep. 42: Alexander Scriabin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:50
In this episode we talk about a composer that tried to usher in the apocalypse, but then died in the most random and unintimidating way. Listen in as we try to keep it together long enough to get through the life of this…
Ep. 41: Happy Halloween! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:31
Happy Halloween to all of our listeners! To celebrate this most cherished holiday, the OAD team recorded a special episode to discuss our favorite scary and "Halloweeny" moments in opera. So grab a Bloody Mary and enjoy…
Ep. 40: Criminal Minds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
When it comes to classical music composers, a surprising number have had run ins with the law. Although occasionally for random and whimsical reasons, find out which of your favorite composers spent some time in the clin…
Ep. 38: Francesca Caccini [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Our next installment of OAD's Bad Ass Women series features none other than the first woman to ever compose an opera: Francesca Caccini. It's time to get your baroque on as you learn about this composer that was, in a wa…
Ep. 37: Barbara Strozzi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
Today we introduce you to another badass lady of the classical canon: Barbara Strozzi! Incredibly prolific composer (much more prolific than most of her male contemporaries), famous singer of her time, wrote stunning and…
Ep. 36: The Poisoned Kiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:16
This week we take on another ridiculous and unknown opera plot in Ralph Vaughan William's The Poisoned Kiss. The fairytale libretto features an epic revenge plot and many other stock elements we love, including a trio ri…
Ep. 35: Dinorah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:25
Today we dive into the glorious DINORAH by Meyerbeer - and we are joined by a guest who, we think, is the only soprano to have ever sung the title role in the past several decades on this continent, the wonderful Laura S…
Ep. 34: What we want to see in 17-18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:05
As the 2017-2018 opera season is getting under way, we talk about what productions and casts around the world are getting us really excited for the coming year. We're joined by soprano Laura Strickling, and as you can im…

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