Freemen, Cowboys, and Immigrants!

Freemen, Cowboys, and Immigrants!

Author: Opera Box Score July 2, 2026 Duration: 56:07
[@ 3 min] Alright, as America prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial, this week in Chalk Talk…we’re breaking down the history of American vocal music by playing 250 of our favorite clips! Or maybe like 12 or so to keep the episode length reasonable. From American folk song, operetta, Music theater, opera and art song, we'll hear tons of music, performed by favorite American artists…and no, Milli Vanilli was not invited. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD Stream new episodes every Saturday at ...

Imagine a place where the soaring drama of the opera house meets the passionate, stat-filled debates of the sports bar. That’s the unique territory covered by Opera Box Score. This isn't a stuffy lecture on classical music; it’s a lively, opinionated conversation that treats opera with the same fervent analysis you’d give to a championship game. Each episode digs into the performances, the vocal techniques, and the sheer athleticism required on stage, breaking it down in a way that’s accessible whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or just curious about what all the shouting is about. You’ll hear discussions that feel more like post-game commentary, debating the highlights and missteps from recent productions, legendary recordings, and current stars. The hosts bring a genuine, unfiltered enthusiasm to every topic, arguing over a singer’s top form with the same intensity as debating a player’s MVP season. By blending the worlds of music commentary and sports talk, this podcast reveals the unexpected thrill and competitive spirit at the heart of opera. Tune in for a fresh, engaging take that proves the drama in the pit and on the stage is every bit as gripping as any sporting event.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Opera Box Score
Podcast Episodes
Feral Handelians! ft. R.B. Schlather [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:07
[@ 5 min] Alright, this week...ahead of the premiere of Santa Fe Opera’s 'Rodelinda,' we go Inside the Huddle with director R.B. Schlather! Will our baroque purist creative consultant find common ground with Schlather’s…
Oops! All Des Moines Metro Opera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:56
[@ 4 min] Alright, this week...we get the full field report on the 2026 Des Moines Metro Opera Festival! First up, a Monday Evening Quarterback on Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men; then, ten, count 'em, TEN Free Throws f…
A League of Her Own! ft. Suzanne Nance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:37
[@ 5 min] Alright, this week...we go Inside the Huddle with Suzanne Nance, the new Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera! Find out how the career of this “Woman of Influence” went from onstage, to behind a mic, to…
House of the Countertenor! ft. John Holiday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:27
[@ 4 min] Alright, this week…John Holiday goes Inside the Huddle! The American countertenor and 'The Voice' finalist is wrapping up a banner 25-26 season at the Munich Opera Festival. Next month, his solo album, 'Over My…
A Very Gay Tragedy! ft. Jory Vinikour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:10
[@ 3 min] Alright, this week…Early music specialist Jory Vinikour goes Inside the Huddle! The conductor and harpsichordist returns to his native Chicago to lead a production of a pretty gay tragedy…no, not Oliver’s mid-l…
What I Did For Love! ft. James Conlon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:57
[@ 3 min] Alright, this week…Maestro James Conlon takes a Free Throw on his tenure as Music Director of LA Opera, a post he held for 20 years…and we’re rewarding him by letting him talk to Oliver? Poor guy! [@ 23 min] Th…
Welcome to my TED Talk! ft. Ben Bliss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
[@ 2 min] Alright, this week…tenor and author Ben Bliss goes Inside the Huddle to share his financial survival guide for singers and other freelancers in the performing arts. It’s all in his new book, 'Making it Work,' c…
American Bratwurst! ft. James Gaffigan and Amanda Forsythe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:46
Alright, this week…it’s a holiday week! Soooo we’re skipping the Two Minute Drill and dipping into the Inside the Huddle archives to replay a pair of recent interviews. [@ 1 min] First up, conductor James Gaffigan tells…
Big Tech Traviata! ft. Robert K. Meya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:44
[@ 2 min] Alright, this week…how DO you solve a problem like Jeff Bezos? How do you catch a donation and pin it down, in an era when the hills are NOT alive with the sound of donors? Is this bit working? We answer these…
Opera's Premier League! ft. Patricia Racette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:22
[@ 1 min] Alright, this week…we continue with the OBS playbook for the upcoming Summer Opera Season. This time the team picks the most anticipated performances in the Western European League! [@ 17 min] And then...sopran…