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Guide to Opera

The Classical California Guide to Opera: The Essential Top 5 of Opera

The Classical California Guide to Opera: The Essential Top 5 of Opera

Explore the world of opera with this guide, featuring 5 essential pieces from Puccini, Wagner, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet, and a bonus from Verdi. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

09/30/2025
The ABC’s of Opera: Puccini’s “La bohème”

The ABC’s of Opera: Puccini’s “La bohème”

Explore the timeless themes of love, optimism, and dreams in Puccini's La Bohème. Learn about its history, characters, and its influence on modern productions like Rent.

09/18/2024
Celebrating 36 Years of the Verdi Chorus

Celebrating 36 Years of the Verdi Chorus

"Anne Marie Ketchum, Founding Artistic Director of Verdi Chorus, discusses the ensemble's history and current season. Catch their performances in Santa Monica on April 6 and 7."

01/08/2020
The XYZ’s of Opera: Handel’s “Xerxes”

The XYZ’s of Opera: Handel’s “Xerxes”

Explore the world of opera with the KUSC Guide, focusing on Handel's Xerxes. Learn about its history, unique characteristics, and its resurgence in popularity.

07/28/2019
The ABC’s of Opera: Verdi’s “Aida”

The ABC’s of Opera: Verdi’s “Aida”

Explore the grand opera "Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi, its historical context, plot, and enduring popularity. Discover its tale of forbidden love set in Ancient Egypt.

07/23/2019
Positivity, Diversity, and Musical Boundaries with Countertenor John Holiday

Positivity, Diversity, and Musical Boundaries with Countertenor John Holiday

Versatile countertenor John Holiday discusses his musical journey, influences, and the diversity in opera. Learn about his upcoming show, The John Holiday Experience.

06/19/2019
Yuval Sharon Directs “One of the Most Important American Operas Ever Written” with the LA Phil

Yuval Sharon Directs “One of the Most Important American Operas Ever Written” with the LA Phil

MacArthur grantee Yuval Sharon directs Meredith Monks' opera, Atlas, at Walt Disney Concert Hall on June 11, 12, and 14. The production caps Sharon's three-year residency with LA Phil.

06/17/2019

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Pop CultureArts Alive BlogEssentialsVerdiMetropolitan Opera

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A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Beloved Symphony No. 9

A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Beloved Symphony No. 9

Brian Lauritzen dives deep into Beethoven's timeless 9th Symphony

12/16/2025
Beethoven’s Quartet of ‘Thanksgiving’

Beethoven’s Quartet of ‘Thanksgiving’

Beethoven's String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132, features a movement expressing gratitude for recovery from illness. It alternates between prayerful chorales and lively sections, reflecting his mortality.

11/25/2025
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet

The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet

Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.

11/22/2025
The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord

The Mystery Behind Scriabin’s Mystic Chord

Explore the life of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, his obsession with the occult, and his creation of the "mystic chord" used in his compositions.

11/17/2025
Elgar’s “Enigma Variations”

Elgar’s “Enigma Variations”

Explore the intriguing history of Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, composed in 1898-99. Discover how this piece, inspired by Elgar's friends and personal experiences, established his fame.

11/15/2025
A Playlist to Celebrate All Things Fall

A Playlist to Celebrate All Things Fall

Explore the beauty of autumn through music with this curated list of compositions inspired by the season's warm colors, chilly weather, and melancholic mood.

11/12/2025