OPERAWISE: SINGSPIEL

OPERAWISE: SINGSPIEL

Author: Seattle Opera May 6, 2020 Duration: 19:59

In this series of podcasts, Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean gives listeners a taste of nine different types of traditional opera. Singspiel (that's German for SongPlay) mixes songs, dialogues, choruses, and marvelous orchestral writing with fun and fantasy for a lowbrow, family friendly art form—the ancestor of today's Star Wars movies. Mozart's ever-popular Magic Flute is the perfect introduction to Singspiel, as well as one of the most beloved operas ever written. Another wonderful Singspiel, Weber's Der Freischütz, demonstrates the power of this form to send a wonderfully creepy chill down your spine.

Musical examples on this podcast drawn from Seattle Opera productions of The Magic Flute, 2017, conducted by Julia Jones and starring John Moore, Andrew Stenson, and Christina Poulitsi; Der Freischütz, 1999, conducted by Gerard Schwarz and starring Harry Peeters and Gabor Andrasy; Fidelio, 2003, conducted by Gerard Schwarz and starring Jane Eaglen and Kevin Langan; The Flying Dutchman, 2016, conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing; also Marschner's Hans Heiling conducted by Ewald Körner (Marco Polo 1992); Fidelio starring Lucia Popp, Adolf Dallapozza, Gundula Janowitz, and René Kollo and conducted by Leonard Bernstein (Deutsche Gramophon, 1978); Der Stein der Weisen, Jane Giering-De Haan and Kevin Deas conducted by Martin Pearlman (Telarc, 1999); and the 1993 EMI recording of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch.

Stay tuned for one more podcast introducing another kind of opera next week!


Ever wondered how a grand opera production comes together, or what it feels like to stand in the wings just before the curtain rises? The Seattle Opera Podcast pulls back the velvet curtain on this intricate world. From the company that has been a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest arts scene since 1963, this series offers a genuine backstage pass. You’ll hear directly from the singers, conductors, directors, and designers who bring these powerful stories to life, discussing everything from vocal technique and set construction to the emotional core of a character. Episodes might delve into a beloved European classic one week and a groundbreaking new American work the next, reflecting the company’s dynamic repertoire. This isn't just a lecture about music and drama; it's an immersive audio experience where you can listen to artists explain their craft, hear snippets of rehearsals, and gain a deeper appreciation for opera as a living, collaborative art form. Tune in to this podcast for conversations that are as passionate and detailed as the productions themselves, all brought to you directly from the heart of Seattle's opera community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Seattle Opera Podcast
Podcast Episodes
LA BOHÈME 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:59
A podcast introducing LA BOHÈME, narrated by Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean. Musical examples from Seattle Opera's archival recordings of La bohème; from 2007, with Rosario La Spina (Rodolfo) and Nuccia Focile (Mi…
LAKMÉ 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
A podcast introducing Seattle Opera's opera in concert for 2026/27, LAKMÉ, a glorious French romantic fantasy with music by Léo Delibes. Musical examples from Seattle Opera's 1967 Lakmé, conducted by Richard Bonynge, wit…
EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA Y DIEGO 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
A podcast introducing the exciting new Spanish-language opera with music by Gabriela Lena Frank to a libretto by Nilo Cruz: what would happen if the myth of Orpheus and Euridice were reenacted by the famous Mexican paint…
SALOME 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:44
A podcast introducing SALOME, narrated by Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean and considering the timely and timeless contributions to this shocker made by Oscar Wilde and Richard Strauss. Musical examples from Seattle…
Seattle's Queer Community Reacts to FELLOW TRAVELERS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:51
Last month Seattle Opera (finally!) presented its first-ever queer opera on the mainstage. Fellow Travelers, with its historical setting, offered the queer folks of Seattle an opportunity to look back at how things used…
CARMEN 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:45
Why has Carmen been, since 1875, one of the world's most popular operas? Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces this beloved masterpiece with musical examples from Seattle Opera's archival recordings of Carmen:…
FELLOW TRAVELERS 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
In February/March 2026 Seattle Opera premieres a new production of Fellow Travelers, an opera (based on the novel by Thomas Mallon) with music by Gregory Spears to a libretto by Greg Pierce that premiered at Cincinnati O…
DAPHNE 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
Daphne, by Richard Strauss, comes to Seattle Opera for two concert performances in January 2025. This gorgeous opera, based on Greek myth, is a splendid showcase for a fantastic orchestra. Jonathan Dean explains what Str…
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:08
Seattle Opera presents its first-ever Gilbert & Sullivan in October 2025: The Pirates of Penzance, in a charming, traditional production that has already delighted many American opera audiences. Jonathan Dean explains th…
2025/26 Season Preview with James Robinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:17
James Robinson, new General and Artistic Director of Seattle Opera, introduces the 2025/26 season. The Pirates of Penzance promises a musically extraordinary operatic approach to Gilbert & Sullivan; come prepared to laug…