Utah Symphony's Ghost Light Podcast

Utah Opera Senior Technical Director, Jared Porter joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss what goes on behind the scenes of an opera production.

Just prior to the opening night of Utah Opera’s production of Utah Opera’s October 2020 production, soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer joined the Ghost Light Podcast. Wendy Bryn was born in California, but grew up in Bountiful, Utah. Her career has taken her to New York and the Metropolitan Opera, and around the world to play roles as a dramatic soprano. She was slated to make her Utah Opera debut in fall 2020 playing the role of Senta in Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. Due to circumstances of the pandemic, that production was cancelled and replaced by Francis Poulenc’s The Human Voice, a monodrama based on the fictional story of Elle, and her sung conversation with an ex-lover who will soon be married to another woman. Harmer notes that learning and memorizing a new role was not what she planned for 2020, but was grateful for the opportunity to be on the Capitol Theater stage. The pandemic has hit the vocal musician community especially hard, especially here in the US where most professional singers have been

In the second episode in a mini-series about the pivots brought on by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Jonathan Miles joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss how USUO’s marketing strategy changed for the 2020-21 season. Music from this episode: • Finale from Igor Stravinsky’s "Octet for Wind Instruments" • George Walker’s "Lyric for Strings" • Andrew Norman’s "Switch" • Richard Strauss’ "Ein Heldenleben"

In the first of a mini-series about the pivots brought on by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USUO Education Team sat down with the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss how the education offerings of the company have been re-envisioned in the last 6 months and going forward.

Changes/Transitions' is a commission written by Quinn Mason to commemorate the Black Lives Matter movement. The composer sits down with Principal Trombone, Mark Davidson and the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss the origins of the piece and its place in the current social climate.

Get to know the new President and CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera of Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson introduce Steven Brosvik.

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a look behind the scenes into the world of classical music and the artists who make it.

Associate Concertmaster Kathryn Eberle sits down with Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, pandemic life, and MOTUS Meets.

One of the interviews from the 80th Birthday Celebration featured Nick and Claudia Norton. The, now retired, couple share their memories of Maurice Abravanel, the 2002 Olympics, National and European tours, the opening of Abravanel Hall, and the Utah Symphony as a match-making organization.

African-American soprano Nicole Heaston joins Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss musical life during quarantine, the Purple Robe Series, and a story she'd like to see turned into an opera.

Utah Opera resident artist Brandon Bell joins Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to discuss people of color in prominent opera roles and a topic that he'd like to see made into an opera.

In this episode of the Ghost Light podcast, Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Concert Master Madeline Adkins and Principal Trumpet Travis Peterson about the the behind the scenes planning and execution of creating the Utah Symphony's 80th Birthday Celebration video. Watch the celebration here: https://youtu.be/pK_zWvJjMJc

Co-Host Carol Anderson interviews Utah Opera favorite Baritone Michael Chioldi. Michael discusses his Metropolitan Opera debut, his Park City Utah connection, Life as an opera singer on the road, and his "second act" as a performer/teacher. And of course - a ghost story.

Utah Symphony principal percussionist Keith Carrick joins the Ghost Light podcast to discuss his experiences as a symphonic percussionist.

The final episode in the mini-series: Music That Heals. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down with Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth to discuss how the COVID-19 restrictions have affected opera companies across the country.

Co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Utah Opera Supernumeraries Dominic Barsi and Steve Moga. They discuss their insights and experiences as "supers" for Utah Opera productions.

A follow-up episode to the Music That Heals episode. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera musicians, staff, and patrons share their experiences with music in troubling times.

In response to symphony and opera halls closing for a short time due to the COVID-19 virus restrictions, co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson, discuss some historical moments where music played a major role.

Co-Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview Jason Hardink, Utah Symphony Principal Pianist. They discuss the Utah Symphony’s performance of Olivier Messiaen's Des Canyons aux Étoiles. The twelve-movement work musically describes the southwest Utah scenery from the red rock country to the birds that inhabit the region. Does Jason have a Ghost Light experience?

Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts interview Michaella Calzaretta, Utah Opera Chorus Master. They discuss the role of the chorus in opera, her role as a chorus master, a story she'd like to set as an opera, and a Ghost Light experience.