La Voix Humaine - One Woman's Voice

Returning favorite Nuccia Focile discusses the distinctiveness of Poulenc's heavenly music; how "the human voice" must carefully convey the monodrama's many emotions; and the importance of connecting with a sympathetic conductor in order to successfully navigate the musical and psychological tour-de-force. Includes clips of Ms. Focile's previous Seattle Opera appearances.



Learn more about La Voix Humaine on the Seattle Opera Website

Fidelio Rehearsal Chat

Learn more about Fidelio from our latest video, in which Maestro Asher Fisch and stage director Chris Alexander discuss how Beethoven's dynamic music heightens the pathos of the opera's compelling story. Video includes footage of principal cast members in rehearsal.



Learn more about Fidelio on the Seattle Opera Website

Madama Butterfly: Director's Talk with Peter Kazaras

Sit in on a staging rehearsal as director Peter Kazaras introduces you to the "two great couples" who alternate as Butterfly and Pinkerton. Kazaras also shares his thoughts about other exciting artists involved in making this traditional production really sing.



Learn more about Madama Butterfly on the Seattle Opera Website

Attila: Speight's Corner

General Director Speight Jenkins waxes poetic about Attila, its beautiful music, and the stellar cast he hand-picked for this opera. Special guest Costume Designer Melanie Taylor Burgess joins Speight to discuss the new costumes being created for the production.



Learn more about Attila on the Seattle Opera Website

WERTHER: Director's Talk

Meet the Young Artists singing the lead roles, and hear why the program is performing this "specialty" (according to Stage director Peter Kazaras) opera. Find out which role Kazaras calls "a killer" because of its difficulty, and see it all coming together in rehearsal.



Learn more about Werther on the Seattle Opera website.

Behind the Scenes: Porgy Orchestra

Some of opera’s most memorable music is in Porgy and Bess, and the orchestra is responsible for making it come alive to us. Go backstage to an orchestra rehearsal and hear the songs you know and love, plus Maestro John DeMain walks us through some of the challenges of this work, why Gershwin is so difficult to perform, and why our orchestra is up to the task.




Learn more about Porgy and Bess on the Seattle Opera website.

Porgy and Bess: Director's Talk

The artists are hard at work in rehearsal, and Stage Director Chris Alexander brags on the amazing talent found in the cast and conductor. Watch Alexander's take on this production, peek behind-the-scenes at the rehearsal process, and hear commentary from the star singers themselves.




Learn more about Porgy and Bess on the Seattle Opera website.

Behind The Scenes: Porgy Chorus

When writing the score for Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin himself mandated that every performance of this work include an all-black chorus. To honor the composer’s request, Seattle Opera held auditions to find our newest chorus members, all local Seattleites with great stories to tell. Watch the chorus in rehearsal and meet a few new choristers in backstage interviews.




Learn more about Porgy and Bess on the Seattle Opera website.

The Magic Flute: Director's Talk with Chris Alexander

Learn about the magic of The Magic Flute with Stage Director Chris Alexander's plans to make an imaginary world come to life onstage. Watch rehearsal footage along with Alexander’s exciting ideas, and see that it's no wonder Alexander is a two-time Artist of the Year recipient!




Learn more about The Magic Flute on the Seattle Opera website.

Speight's Corner: The Magic Flute

According to General Director Speight Jenkins, a variety of characters combined with "some of the most marvelous music [Mozart] ever wrote" makes The Magic Flute “Mozart’s most fantastic opera.” Jenkins also introduces the international cast which features a mix of returning artists as well as Seattle Opera debuts.



Learn more about The Magic Flute on the Seattle Opera website.