XERXES Intermission Chat with STEPHEN WADSWORTH

XERXES Intermission Chat with STEPHEN WADSWORTH

Author: Seattle Opera March 20, 2021 Duration: 0:00

Stephen Wadsworth, a vital member of Seattle Opera's artistic family, discussed Handel's XERXES with Christina Scheppelmann for a radio re-broadcast in March 2021. Wadsworth, who made his debut directing Seattle Opera's 1985 JENUFA, returned for key productions including Gluck's ORPHÉE (1988) and IPHIGÉNIE EN TAURIDE (2007) and many of Seattle Opera's flagship Wagner productions: FLYING DUTCHMAN (1989 & 2007), LOHENGRIN (1994 & 2004), and the RING (2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013). For AMELIA, Seattle Opera's world premiere in 2010, Wadsworth both directed and created the story. He also directed memorable productions of Molière, Marivaux, Wilde, and Coward for the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Seattle Opera's first-ever Handel opera, XERXES in 1997, was performed in Wadsworth's delightful English singing translation.


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: 131

Seattle Opera Podcast
Podcast Episodes
VOICEWISE PODCAST: Trebles & Countertenors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:49
Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean investigates two voice types infrequently encountered in opera: trebles (boy sopranos and adolescent female sopranos) and countertenors. Features conversation with Seattle Opera coac…
VOICEWISE Podcast: Mezzos & Contraltos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:22
Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces the mezzo and contralto voices. With their rich, creamy, dark sounds these lower-voiced ladies play opera's most luscious babes, as well as boys, old women, jealous wives,…
VOICEWISE Podcast: Sopranos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:06
Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean leads a tour through the land of soprano, from dazzling coloratura acrobats to fearsome goddesses whose roar sets the opera house aflame. Includes musical examples featuring many fav…
THE (R)EVOLUTION OF STEVE JOBS 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:47
Learn more about this fresh, fascinating, and wholly operatic new work, which will play on www.king.org on Saturday June 13 at 10 am PST. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, t…
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM: coming up June 6, The Marriage of Figaro, performed January 2016. Aidan Lang, then General Director of Seattle Opera, brought his own New Zealand Opera production of one of his favorite…
TOSCA 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:36
Tosca, featured on "Seattle Opera Mornings on KING FM" on May 30, is both a great opera for newbies to the art form and a rewarding piece to hear multiple times; it's accessible—a 'thriller' as cinematic as any Hollywood…
IL TROVATORE 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
Are you ready for this weekend (May 23)'s KING FM rebroadcast, the wildest opera by the person many consider opera's greatest composer? Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces Il trovatore, with musical examples…
OPERAWISE: OPERETTA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:45
In this series of podcasts, Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean gives listeners a taste of nine different types of traditional opera. Operetta is a delightful kind of entertainment resembling opera, but different; wher…
OPERAWISE: SINGSPIEL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 marvelo…
OPERAWISE: OPÉRA COMIQUE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:19
In this series of podcasts, Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean gives listeners a taste of nine different types of traditional opera. Opéra comique, a native French form of lower-brow musical theater, features spoken d…