Ep. 77: The Golden Cockerel

Ep. 77: The Golden Cockerel

Author: Opera After Dark December 15, 2018 Duration: 43:59
In this episode, we look at a rarely performed operatic masterpiece, The Golden Cockerel, by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov! We will give you three guesses why we picked this topic, although, if you have listened to us before, you will probably only need one. And to be clear, the title is NOT a metaphor, a rooster actually features heavily in the story. It’s a Russian romantic work, so obviously the music is pretty dope. The crazy story (which involves a magician/wizard, a rooster, magic beans, a war, a Czar, a mystical tent, a mysterious Queen, and so much more) is brought to life brilliantly by Elspeth, and along the way, we give you our own sung renditions of several musical anecdotes(everything from Jason Derulo to Jurassic Park to Broadway Musicals).

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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