Ep. 52: The Bloody Nun

Ep. 52: The Bloody Nun

Author: Opera After Dark January 26, 2018 Duration: 26:19
Nothing says "the world's best art form" like the title of Charles Gounod's unknown opera "La nonne sanglante" or "The Bloody Nun." Yes, the opera is about as outrageous as you might expect, but it has some beautiful orchestration. We think it might be a little more palatable to today's audience as opposed to the disgruntled opera goers in its original run in 1854.

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
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