The Wagner Problem: Performance and Programming in the 21st Century

The Wagner Problem: Performance and Programming in the 21st Century

Author: Seattle Opera November 9, 2022 Duration: 1:17:35

Richard Wagner is once again making an appearance on the Seattle Opera stage, renewing questions about the controversial composer's compatibility with contemporary social values. Wagner's objectionable views and dominant position in the opera canon have long vexed opera lovers, prompting some to wonder what role Wagner should play for modern opera companies. 

Join esteemed musicologists and music critics from around the globe as they reflect on the ethics of performing Wagner in the 21st century and envision a more equitable model for classical music. The conversation will address how opera companies might present works by problematic artists, as well as what they can do more broadly to diversify programming. What gets the privilege of being called classical music, and what gets left out of that definition? What role should opera companies play in the cultivation of new music? And how can we find a balance between traditional works and overlooked voices?


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
MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Discusses Isolde [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
American soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, beloved in Seattle for performances such as Tosca, Abigaille in NABUCCO, and Serena in PORGY AND BESS, just made her role debut as Isolde, the first time she's ever sung a Wagner…
Wagner Reads Gottfried's TRISTAN (with Annegret Oehme) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:13
Annegret Oehme, Associate Professor of German Studies at the University of Washington, discusses TRISTAN UND ISOLDE with Jonathan Dean. Wagner's inspiration for this amazing opera was the 12th century poem by Gottfried v…
TESS ALTIVEROS & SHELLY TRAVERSE Discuss ELIXIR & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
Sopranos Tess Altiveros and Shelly Traverse both have lots of Seattle Opera credits: mainstage productions (Tess sang Giannetta in this summer's ELIXIR OF LOVE; Shelly was Chan in CHARLIE PARKER'S YARDBIRD and Hero in BE…
LA TRAVIATA 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
Verdi's masterpiece returns to Seattle Opera May 2023. Initially this sumptuous, tuneful, utterly human tragedy sparked controversy, but it quickly became one of the world's most beloved operas. Seattle Opera Dramaturg J…
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:36
A brand-new opera based on Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel, with music by Sheila Silver, libretto by Stephen Kitsakos, and directed by Roya Sadat, premieres at Seattle Opera in February 2023. In this podcast Seattle…
SAMSON AND DELILAH 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:02
Saint-Saëns' grand French opera, not heard in Seattle since 1965, returns January 2023 in a concert production showcasing the breathtaking music of this powerful Old Testament epic. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean…
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:44
Wagner's revolutionary masterpiece, often considered the most Romantic opera ever written, returns to Seattle Opera in October 2022. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces Tristan und Isolde, with musical examp…
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:20
A smile full of sunshine comes to Seattle Opera with the return of Donizetti's endearing comedy. The story of The Elixir of Love concerns the adventures of a bottle of Bordeaux; but the music is as sweet and gentle as th…
2022/23 Season Announcement with Christina Scheppelmann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:07
General Director Christina Scheppelmann announces Seattle Opera's 2022/23 season, including the great singers who will be coming to Seattle and an exciting lineup of operas: Donizetti's Elixir of Love, Wagner's Tristan u…