The Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera): Recent Episodes
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
The stage is dark, but the conversation is just beginning. Welcome to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's Ghost Light podcast, a behind the curtain look into the world of classical music and opera and the artists who make it. Hosted by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson. Produced and edited by Robert Bedont.
Provincial, humble, deeply religious, and just a little bit neurotic, Anton Bruckner often flies under the symphonic radar for many audiences. Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, composed by one of music’s most unique, and dare we say, underappreciated voices, anchors Utah Symphony’s season finale, conducted by Markus Poschner, Utah Symphony’s Music Director Designate and a recognized Bruckner specialist. In this deep dive, Jeff and Carol explore Bruckner’s strange little life and examine his works of towering scale and spiritual intensity.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah. To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.org USUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
A favorite of opera audiences for over 170 years, Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata is undoubtedly THE archetypal Italian operatic tragedy. In the final opera prelude of season 10, Jeff and Carol discuss consumption, courtesans, and catastrophic romance.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghost Light podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
We recently sat down (virtually) with Grammy Award–winning composer and electric guitarist Steve Mackey. His inventive, genre-bending work is heard in concert halls across the country, and this May, Abravanel Hall will resonate with his electric guitar concerto Aluminum Flowers. Jeff and I had a genuinely delightful time talking with Steve about everything from skiing to musical underdogs to the compositional process, with plenty of unexpected turns along the way.For more information on Steve’s journey and works, go to https://stevenmackey.com/ or follow him on Instagram @steven_mackey. To listen to his compositions, go to Apple Music or Spotify. Here’s a link to Banana/Dump Truck to get your listening started https://open.spotify.com/album/0rcLidQQaOkBFzr9Vv3wbW?si=rQUi69HjTE6V2OLaBbTqugVisit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
O Fortuna-you know it the moment it begins. Carmina Burana has become one of the most recognizable works in classical music, echoing far beyond the concert hall into film, television, and pop culture. In this episode, Jeff and Carol explore the musical and thorny political legacy of Carl Orff and dig into the music, text, and structure of this choral bacchanal. From rowdy drinking songs to moments of unexpected lyric beauty, Carmina Burana is a mosaic of the human experience, earthy, ecstatic, and unapologetically bold.To explore a few of our favorite pop culture moments 2007 Gatorade commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIlEv34dKVIO Fortuna misheard lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y88vF0l8FDoTrailer to the 1989 film Glory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OS-OE1EcHIVisit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
To borrow a familiar saying, all roads, and this week, all podcasts, lead to Rome. Jeff and Carol take us on a virtual tour of the Eternal City as they explore Respighi’s orchestral showpiece, The Pines of Rome. With its brilliant orchestration, virtuosic writing, and vivid musical postcards of Roman landmarks, this tone poem has long been a favorite of audiences and orchestral musicians alike. Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
For more than three decades, Utah Opera’s Resident Artist Program has been an important part of the company’s work on stage and in the community. Based in Salt Lake City, these young artists travel throughout Utah performing in schools and community settings, sharing their passion for opera with audiences across the state. The program also provides a bridge between academic training and a professional career. Alumni now perform on stages around the world and pursue careers across the musical field as educators, performers, and administrators. Today Jeff and Carol sit down with tenor Daniel O’Hearn, currently performing Nemorino in The Elixir of Love. to reflect on life after the Resident Artist program and the journey from young artist to working professional.Follow Daniel’s career at https://www.danielohearntenor.com/ or on Instagram @danielohearntenor. His short album “Un doux clair de lune,” featuring Utah Opera’s Principal Coach Deborah Robertson, can be streamed on Spotify at https://bit.ly/4ltDVs2 Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
What happens to a shy, lovelorn tenor when his soprano crush gets distracted by a swaggering baritone? Well, one thing is for sure...it’s going to take to a fast-talking con man and his magical “love potion” to save the day and give us a happy ending. Underneath all the laughter and farce lies a surprisingly tender story of longing and sincerity, delivered in Donizetti’s quintessential bel canto style. In this latest Ghost Light Opera Prelude, Jeff and Carol uncork Donizetti’s effervescent comedy and explore why this sparkling gem continues to intoxicate audiences nearly two centuries later.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Claude Debussy’s lifelong obsession with the sea found its voice in La Mer, three orchestral sketches that depict the shifting moods of the ocean. Though he chafed at the title, Debussy was a musical Impressionist to match the Impressionists of the visual art world, rendering his sound images through orchestral colors and expanded harmony, rather than oils and watercolors. In one of their Deep Dives, Jeff and Carol talk about how this “anti-symphony” overcame its inauspicious debut to become one of the seminal works of the twentieth century. Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Beloved in Utah and around the world, Sir Stephen Hough is a multi-dimensional artist, excelling as pianist, composer, and writer as well as being a pretty talented avocational painter. In advance of his seventh collaboration with the Utah Symphony, we were delighted to welcome him for a delightful conversation. In just under twenty minutes, Sir Stephen offers philosophical gems, observations on the creative process, and life advice for artists of all persuasions, delivered with humility, wit, and charm. Follow Sir Stephen Hough on Instagram @houghhoughx2 or explore the many facets of this artist at www.stephenhough.com. Sir Stephen’s music (both as composer and performer) is widely available on Spotify and Apple Music.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
In this episode, we take a look at composer, violinist, and cultural figure Joseph de Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Long overlooked in traditional narratives of eighteenth-century music, de Bologne’s influence on Parisian musical life rivaled that of his more frequently programmed contemporaries. Conductor, pianist, and art song expert Tyson Deaton joins us to discuss the challenging process of creating modern scholarly editions of de Bologne’s works. Whether you’re a performer, educator, or curious listener, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how scholarship can restore a vital musical voice—and why Joseph de Bologne’s music deserves a place on today’s concert stages.For more information on Maestro Deaton and his work on Joseph de Bologne, consult https://www.tysondeaton.com/. To purchase any or all of the five volumes of de Bologne’s vocal works, go to Classical Vocal Reprints at https://bit.ly/4b2ngZr. Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, invites us into a timeless story of bravery, love, and moral resolve. Its themes of political freedom and courage feel just as urgent in 2026 as they did 220 years ago in French-occupied Vienna. We welcome opera director Tara Faircloth to the podcast to discuss her fresh take on this work whose central ideas still speak powerfully to us today.To see more about Tara Faircloth’s recent and upcoming directing work, check out https://tarafaircloth.com/.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Modern life feels increasingly complex, and many of us struggle to stay balanced amid a constant swirl of competing expectations. Last season USUO introduced a series of Well-Being Concerts, each designed to offer Utah audiences a space for restoration through music’s unique capacity to calm, center, and heal. In this episode, Ben Kipp, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, joins Jeff and Carol to reflect on the vision behind this initiative and to share how these concerts are already making a meaningful impact in people’s lives.To find out more about USUO’s Well-Being Concerts or to register for an upcoming concert, visit utahsymphony.org/education/well-being-concert-series.Carnegie Hall has been a leader in developing Well-Being Concerts. To see more about their current season and partnerships such as theirs with USUO, go to www.carnegiehall.org/Events/Well-Being-Concerts or visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6QTj98p2o to view a video about the experience. Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghost Light podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Richard Strauss’ tone poems represent the zenith of orchestral storytelling, and in Ein Heldenleben, the story gets personal. Over the course of fifty vivid minutes, Strauss sketches a musical self-portrait of a composer battling critics, finding lifelong love, contemplating his musical successes and ultimately settling into a vision of hard-won peace. Join Jeff and Carol for a Deep Dive into this epic work, as they share the history behind the work, and examine whether Ein Heldenleben is full of self-deprecating irony or a composer’s ultimate ego trip.Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah.To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghost Light podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
Classical music has long been shaped by the traditions, and occasional barriers, of the concert hall and theater. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson welcome USUO Opera Education Manager Kevin Nakatani and Front of House Manager Melissa Robison to explore how we can reimagine those spaces to be more inclusive, responsive, and welcoming to people with diverse abilities and needs. Join us for a timely conversation about making opera and symphony performances a richer, more accessible experience for all audiences. To learn more about or register for Access to Music, visit https://usuo.org/education/access-to-music/Explore this list of resources on accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visit www.usuo.org for information on upcoming concerts and performances at our venues across Utah. To submit a question to our team, or suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, send an email to ghostlight@usuo.orgUSUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson.
When the Utah Symphony introduced German conductor Markus Poschner as Music Director Designate last fall, it marked an exciting new era for the orchestra—just the eighth music director in its 85-year history! Renowned for his dynamic artistry and contagious enthusiasm, Maestro Poschner is already transforming the connection between the orchestra and its audiences. He spoke with Carol and Jeff from Linz, Austria, about his vision for what comes next.
Two little pieces of gristle in our throat - they produce amazing sounds that represent our identity as speakers and maybe even singers, and they are remarkably durable, until they aren't. Vocal injury is often discussed in hushed and secretive tones, and we’re bringing the conversation into the open. Singer and USUO Board Chair Annette Jarvis and Vocologist Dr. Lynn Maxfield join Jeff and Carol to tell an inspiring story of determination, discipline, and a voice reborn.
At just 28, Gustav Mahler redefined the symphony with his bold and deeply personal Symphony No. 1. From the stirrings of nature to the depths of human sorrow, Mahler poured his heart into this work—revising it several times as he refined this symphonic debut. Avid Mahler enthusiasts Jeff and Carol take a Deep Dive into this monumental piece, setting the stage for Music Director Designate Markus Poschner’s return to the Utah Symphony podium.
It’s October, which means it’s time for the second annual Bloodcurdling Opening Opera, (aka BOO). This week, in Jeff and Carol's first Utah Opera Prelude of the podcast season, they discuss Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Shining, based on the 1977 bestseller penned by the “King of Horror.” What does it take to turn such an iconic book into a riveting operatic thriller? Join us to find out!
From its dramatic opening that gave its composer “no peace,” to its sparkling finale, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor has been delighting listeners for almost two centuries. To open the USUO Ghost Light Podcast’s tenth season, Jeff and Carol uncover the artistic partnership behind this landmark (and revolutionary) work and consider why it remains a cornerstone of the concerto repertoire.
What does it take to reimagine "Madame Butterfly" for today’s stage? Director Matthew Ozawa and mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen join us for a candid conversation about creativity, representation, and reshaping a classic from the inside out.
If at first you don’t succeed, rewrite it four times—just ask Puccini. In this season’s final opera prelude, Jeff and Carol explore Madame Butterfly, from its rocky premiere to eventual triumph. They delve into the opera’s complex cultural backdrop, examine its literary roots, and confront the tension between the troubling elements within its story and its lasting popularity with opera audiences.
Mysterious cloaked figures, thoughts of poisoning, and genius cut off at its prime...the lore surrounding Mozart's Requiem, unfinished at his untimely demise, is substantial, but the truth is even more compelling. Jeff and Carol, joined by special guest Utah Symphony Chorus director Austin McWilliams, dive deep to uncover the real story behind the music.
Jeff and Carol invite musicologist Catherine Mayes to help unpack the thorny topic of exoticism and colonialism in Western Music. This is part one of a three-episode introduction to Utah Opera's upcoming production of Puccini's Madame Butterfly.
You've heard the aria and you've seen the iconic sad commedia clown face. Now join Jeff and Carol as they look beyond the greasepaint into the bleeding heart of Ruggero Leoncavallo's visceral opera.
This week Jeff and Carol sit down with Utah Symphony's Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer to talk about his upcoming Mahler mini-festival. Thierry also catches us up on his life since leaving Salt Lake City (hint: busy and fulfilling), his passion projects, and his new role of grandfather!
From riots to radicalism to Disney and dinosaurs, Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" blasted on the classical music scene in May of 1913 and has been captivating audiences ever since. In one of their Deep Dives, Jeff and Carol talk about the man behind the music, the stories around the premiere, and the music that still sounds modern more than a century later (even though it isn't).
Though there is a children’s chorus, a children’s ballet, and adults playing children, "Hansel and Gretel" is much more than a children’s opera. In preparation for Utah Opera’s presentation of this beloved fairytale, Jeff and Carol talk about the opera’s backstory and why it’s one of the more underrated and sophisticated scores of the late nineteenth century.
For over 50 years, John Williams has delighted millions of listeners with his epic film music. Compositionally sophisticated and melodically inventive, his more than one hundred cinematic scores are masterpieces of virtuosic story-telling. In one of their patented Deep Dives™️, film score devotees Jeff and Carol talk about John Williams' life and amazing body of work, while sharing their personal experiences of Williams' music, both as listeners and performers. For tickets to Utah Symphony's January 2025 performance of the Film Music of John Williams, visit: https://utahsymphony.org/event/id/33383/
From Salsa to Symphony—get to know newly appointed Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor Jessica Rivero Altarriba. The Ghostlight Team welcomes Maestra Altarriba to Utah and learns about her path to the podium. With a joyful commitment to audience engagement and a vision for the future of symphonic programming, she's a vibrant addition to our organization and our community.
Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background information about the upcoming Utah Symphony performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. For tickets to Utah Symphony's November 2024 performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, visit: https://utahsymphony.org/event/id/33379
The Ghost Light team sits down with Leslie Peterson (Vice President of Development, USUO) to discuss arts funding in America. She shares insights from her experiences at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and the organization's support for the local Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) program in Salt Lake County.
Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background and behind-the-scenes information about the upcoming Utah Opera production of Sondeim’s Sweeney Todd.In short, Sweeney Todd is a vengeance story in the vein of so many of the tragedies Utah Opera has staged in recent years. Although there is a high body count in this production, it’s about more than just murder. The complex stories and motives of both the principal and chorus characters are intricately weaved together with musical motifs that add depth to their respective roles in a way that only Sondheim could achieve.The original production featured an industrial set and staging with turntable and trap doors. Early reviews claimed the combination of music and theater “magic” of the now beloved work was almost too much for its own good. Utah Opera’s production is cast with opera singers that are able to vocally straddle the fine divide between opera and music theater. For tickets to Utah Opera's October 2024 production of Sweeney Todd visit: utahopera.org/sweeney
The Ghost Light team sits down with Maestro John DeMain (Music Director, Madison Symphony) to discuss the intersection of Opera and Musical Theater. He shares insights from his experiences conducting Houston Grand Opera, his conversations with Stephen Sondheim regarding Sweeney Todd, and what subject he would like to see be made into an opera.To get tickets to the upcoming Utah Opera performance of Sweeney Todd visit https://bit.ly/3XANdH3
Co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down to discuss Scheherazade, Utah Symphony’s May performance featuring both Rimsky-Korsakov's famous orchestral suite as well as Ravel’s lesser-known Shéhérazade (a lovely song cycle originally inspired by Rimsky-Korsakov's version sung by Utah Opera Favorite Wendy Bryn Harmer).These two evening concerts perfectly captures the sultan’s savagery, the storyteller’s mesmerizing quality, and the exotic tales Scheherazade weaves over the course of 1001 Arabian Nights.
Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Massenet's "Thaïs." Giving you a behind the curtain look into this grandiose production, what to expect, and the history of Massenet's timeless work.
The Ghost Light Podcast sits down with guitarist Gretchen Menn and USUO VP of Education and Community Outreach Ben Kipp to discuss the upcoming Guitar Celebrations Festival featuring Another Night On Earth guitar ensemble with the Utah Symphony.
Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."They discuss why this opera is among the most performed operas worldwide, what to expect with THIS production, and the history of Mozart's timeless work.
Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give an in-depth look into Utah Opera's upcoming production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's "The Little Prince." The opera is based on the children's book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Originally debuted in 2019 by Utah Opera, this colorful instant classic returns to the Capitol Theatre stage with a whole new cast.
Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take a deep look into the origins of film music. From silent films to the first "talkies" and to the modern epic scores. What are their favorite movie scores? Who are their favorite creative partners? How does movie music fit in with the modern symphony orchestra? and finally, how do movie score composers stack up against the great composers in history?
Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with the newly appointed Utah Symphony Creative Partner, David Robertson, to discuss the genesis of his new role, the challenges and opportunities of programming a compelling concert, and what it's like being a part of a very musical family.
From the confused cosmos of the opening movement, to the folky and athletic scherzo, to the glorious finale. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you deep into the history and subtle details of Beethoven’s magnum opus. Learn about Beethoven’s personal life at the time of writing, the contemporary reaction to the work, and what Symphony No.9 means in modern culture.And finally, why do “war horse” pieces like Beethoven’s Ninth get played so often? And how does it stay fresh to the listener?
To kick of the 8th season of the Ghost Light Podcast, co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts take you behind the music and production of the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Puccini's La bohème.Discover the historical origins of the famed opera and why it's among the most performed operas world-wide. Jeff and Carol also give you some insider details of this production, and discuss La bohème's contribution to pop culture.
Now at the end of his tenure as Music Director of the Utah Symphony, Thierry Fischer sits down with hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to reflect on his time with the orchestra.What are his favorite memories? What travel advice would he give to a newcomer to Utah? Maybe most importantly of all, will he remain a fan of the Utah Jazz?Find out all of this and more with the latest episode of the Ghost Light Podcast!
A modern opera about Steve Jobs?Ghost Light Podcast hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you behind the scenes of the next Utah Opera production: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. From electric guitar and techno sound patches combined with a full orchestra, complicated characters, and big voices get the inside scoop behind this Grammy Award winning opera.Learn why this production shows the future of what opera can and WILL be!
Composer Mason Bates shares insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. What elements are considered when creating a new opera? What sound elements are considered with each character? And why write an opera about a tech giant? Find out in the latest episode of Utah Symphony Utah Opera’s Ghost Light Podcast.
Among the many facets of creating a new opera, librettist Mark Campbell feels that the most important element is starting with heart.Hear insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.
Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Verdi's “Rigoletto.”
Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment.”
Recently hired Costume Director, CeeCee Swalling joins the podcast to discuss what goes on behind the scenes in an opera costume shop. Find CeeCee on instagram @costumesbyceecee Or online at https://www.costumesbyceecee.com
In the first episode of The Ghost Light Podcasts seventh season, Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera performance of Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman."
Find tickets for the production here: https://bit.ly/3M4lfgK
A Pirate King and “Modern Major-General” are just the beginning of the farcical fun in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. From patter songs to anecdotes about Savoy operas and the premiere of this cult classic, the Ghost Light Podcasts co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts give you what you need to know about the upcoming Utah Opera production.
What do British baking shows and opera have in common? Find out in the latest episode of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Ghost Light Podcast.
Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down after the first rehearsal of Utah Opera’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca” with two of the principal artists. Soprano Katie Van Kooten, who is performing the role of Floria Tosca for the first time, and Stephen Powell who has played Scarpia on a number of occasions. Hear these artists discuss what goes into the preparation involved with learning a new role or keeping a familiar role fresh. The two artists also have ideas for what story they’d like to see set as an opera. Find out what they are in the newest episode of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera’s Ghost Light Podcast.
Utah Opera invites you to witness one of opera’s most intense dramas. She’s a singer, he’s a painter and they’re both trying to avoid the cops. Fiery young diva Floria Tosca is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her freedom-fighting lover and a corrupt police chief whose lust for her dominates his faith. The story’s heart-stopping conclusion lands tragically under the Roman skyline. The leap is LEGEND. The Ghost Light Podcast co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a behind the scenes look into Utah Opera’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca.”
Composer Arlene Sierra recently sat down with the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss her residency with the symphony upcoming artist in residency with the Utah Symphony in April 2022. Arlene discusses her roots in electronic music and the journey back to composing acoustical music. Arlene studied electronic music composition at Oberlin, and found that the electronic music classes fascinating for her composition sensitivities. But although she loved the experience she looked forward to opportunities to get back in collaboration with live musicians. In April, Arlene will spend a few weeks in Utah working with the Utah Symphony in an American debut of Nature Symphony and a world premiere of Bird Symphony, a piece the Utah Symphony commissioned. She will also work with the Utah Youth Symphony in preparing a paired down version of Nature Symphony. Arlene was also asked about her perspective, as an American composer living and working abroad, about the representation shift in both living and female composers. You may know that Arlene and her husband are both composers. What’s their secret to keeping their personal and professional lives in balance? Find out on Episode 6 of the Ghost Light Podcast.
Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with John Holiday prior to his Utah Opera debut in his signature role in Jonathan Dove and April de Angelis’ Flight. Many, not familiar with the opera world will know John Holiday from season 19 of NBC’s The Voice. John is one of the most sought-after countertenors (a cis-male that sings in a mezzo-soprano range) in the opera scene. John shares anecdotes about his career as an artist and educator in a pandemic world. One of the gems of the discussion was around John’s TEDx talk, “The Monsters Under My Bed,” that focuses on family dynamics and how you can find your worth, despite the situation. You can find that talk here: https://www.johnholiday.com/media# Does John have a story that he would like to see set as an opera? Find out in this amazing conversation with John Holiday.
Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts discuss the comedy, energy, music, and emotion of a colorful cast living out an unexpected overnight delay.
John Holiday from season 19 of NBC’s The Voice makes his Utah Opera debut in his signature role in the opera that has entertained audiences around the world and speaks to us of the realities of our shared humanity – Jonathan Dove and April de Angelis’ critically acclaimed opera, Flight.
We interview a LOT of composers on the podcast. But many of the composers we’d like to interview are no longer with us. So we’re forced to talk about them instead. Jeff and Carol discuss the creation of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in this Deep Dive episode.
What does Mr. Rogers, the flute, music education, passing out on stage, and the Utah Symphony have in common? Guest soloist DeMarre McGill.
While a guest soloist with the Utah Symphony in May 2021, Seattle Symphony principal flutist DeMarre McGill joined co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson. They discuss the state of the classical music world, what it’s like growing up in a musical family (his brother is the principal clarinet for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra), his advice to young musicians, and a story of a time when he fainted on stage DURING a performance.
Hear their conversation on the first episode of season six of the Ghost Light Podcast.
Vocal Coach Nova Thomas joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss operatic voice types and the Fach system.
Israeli director Omer Ben Saedia joined the Ghost Light Podcast prior to the opening of Utah Opera’s production of Peter Brook’s “La tragedie de Carmen” to discuss her thoughts about the current state of the world of opera.
Just prior to the recording of the upcoming USUO: On Demand performance with the Utah Symphony, guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas joined the Ghost Light Podcast.
In Pablo’s mind the guitar is an instrument that transcends borders. It’s “an expression of diversity.” From the Troubadour tradition to flamenco, blues, jazz, and bluegrass, and so many other genres, the guitar is a unifying instrument because of its versatility.
School and community outreach are an important element of Pablo’s career and mission. “I do what I do because I believe and have experienced a better world through music in our lives. Music is a perfect vehicle to tell stories, transmit values, erase borders, celebrate diversity, and bring people together by sharing our emotions.” As a child of parents who were teachers, the concept of changing the world around in you in whatever way you can was a major theme in his youth. As a young guitarist he found joy in playing in venues such as nursing homes. “We have the opportunities as musicians to humanize settings that would ordinarily be harsh.”
In 2006 Pablo Sáinz Villegas founded the philanthropic project “The legacy of music without borders.” Whose mission is to bring music to people as a mean to humanize their environment and promote understanding between different cultures. Thanks to this project he has shared his music with more than 32,000 children and youth in Spain, Mexico, and United States. “When I play in Tijuana or any other place in the world I share music the same way I would share it in a place like Carnegie Hall. To me there is no difference. Only the wrapping on the building.”
Pablo brings his excitement about life to the musical stage, making him an audience favorite here in Utah and around the world. Listen to his interview here, and look for his performance with the Utah Symphony at USUO: On Demand.
Voice actor Carin Gilfry joins the Ghost Light Podcast to her journey from pursuing a career as an opera singer to a career voicing thousands of commercials, instructional videos, IVR systems, eLearning programs, documentaries, video games, and audiobooks. Carin's voice may be familiar for fans of USUO in the Wasatch Front. You'll hear her voice in our radio and tv ads.
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 sidelined for months. Ms Harmer finds that she is uniquely equipped to manage the isolation and expectations in an ever-changing world due to her recent battle with ovarian cancer. What topic would she like to be see be made into an opera? Has Wendy Bryn seen a ghost? Find out in the latest episode of the Ghost Light Podcast.
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.
Host Carol Anderson interviews Getro Joseph, a Haitian cellist that traveled to Salt Lake City with musicians from the Utah Symphony.
Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview the creators of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winning Opera, Silent Night
Director Tomer Zvulun discusses Utah Opera's upcoming production of Kevin Puts and Mark Campell's "Silent Night." The Israeli-born director also discusses his time serving as a medic, reveals what stories he would like to see given an operatic treatment, and more!
Mr. McBeth joined Utah Opera as Artistic Administrator in the fall of 2000, he was promoted to Opera Artistic Director in the spring of 2003 following the historic merger of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera in July 2002. During his time with Utah Opera, Mr. McBeth has overseen more than 70 productions and co-productions. Christopher joins Ghost Light Podcast host, Carol Anderson, for an interview that covered McBeth’s personal music journey, and how he came to be the Artistic Director for Utah Opera, he explains what an Artistic Director does, and shares his Ghost Light experience. The Utah Opera’s next performance is Silent Night. January 18-26, 2020 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theater. This contemporary work depicts the Christmas Truce during World War I. Tickets available at UtahOpera.org.
Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts discuss popular myths that often keep potential symphony or opera patrons from coming to a performance.
Co-Hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts interview Daniel Charon, Artistic Director of the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. They discuss the dance tradition in Utah, collaboration with other art forms, the Utah Opera production of La Traviata, a story he'd like to set to dance, and a Ghost Light experience.
Host Jeff Counts introduces our new co-host - Carol Anderson, principal opera coach for the Utah Opera. Jeff and Carol tease season four of the Ghostlight Podcast.
Spike 150 Opera Commissions–Season 3, Ep. 7–Principal Coach Carol Anderson, Composer Jacob Lee, and Director Omer Ben Seadia talk about Utah Opera’s Commissioned Opera project featuring four, 10-minute operas in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Conner Gray Covington–Season 3, Ep. 6 – Associate Conductor Conner Gray Covington talks about the variety of works that a conductor must be prepared for, his current favorite composers, and his extensive work in the education program with Utah Symphony.
James Lowe- Season 3, Ep. #5 –Renowned Opera Conductor James Lowe talks about Utah Opera’s new production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright’s The Little Prince, working with youth in leading opera roles, and the hope he sees in a new era of opera.
Baiba Skride- Season 3, Ep. 4- World-renowned violinist, Baiba Skride talks about playing on the Yfrah Neaman Stradivarius, being able to perform with her sister, and her upcoming commissions.
Garnett Bruce- Season 3 Ep. #3- Prominent American Opera Director, Garnett Bruce talks about the legacy of Leonard Bernstein and his operetta sensation Candide.
Carol Anderson- Season 3, Ep. 2- Principal Coach of the Utah Opera, Carol Anderson talks about all the work that goes into preparing for an opera production and in her excitement for new opera.
Season 3, Episode # 1- In this special, "live" Ghost Light Podcast, Jeff talks with renowned composer Andrew Norman about the evolving landscape of music from his earlier works to his latest commission: Suspend a fantasy for piano and orchestra.
Conductor Edwin Outwater talks about the new creative concert experience and the current state of Classical performance.
Season 2, Ep. 12 – The fabulous Capathia Jenkins talks about the musical legacy of Ella Fitzgerald, Broadway, and her fight to help homeless youth.
Season 2, Ep. 11 – Renowned conductor Gary Thor Wedow talks about his career path to the conductor’s podium and how new, and old, opera speaks to our heart and mind regardless or our musical expertise.
Season 2, Ep. 10 –Pianist Conrad Tao talks about finding inspiration for new compositions and the musical legacy of Leonard Bernstein.
Season 2, Ep. 9 –Renowned conductor Karina Canellakis talks about her transition from a violinist to a rising-star conductor and the excitement of leading major orchestras around the world.
Season 2, Ep. 8 – Jake Heggie and Gene Sheer, acclaimed creators of the hit opera Moby-Dick, talk about Utah Opera’s amazing, new production, and the inspiration behind turning this classic novel into an award-winning opera.
Season 2, Ep. 7 – World-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn talks about her acclaimed concerts for mothers and their small children, her ambitious encore project, and the thrill of a live performance.
Season 2, Ep. 6 – Renowned composer and conductor Matthias Pintscher talks about his creative process in composing new works, and how music speaks to our heart and mind regardless or our musical expertise.
Season 2, Ep. 5 – Music Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mack Wilberg talks about collaborating with the Utah Symphony on the new album, Mahler Symphony No. 8.
Season 2, Ep. 4 – Acclaimed Violinist William Hagen talks about performing Ravel and Saint-Saens with conductor Matthias Pintscher and the Utah Symphony.
Season 2, Ep. 3 – Renowned Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja talks about her upcoming performance of Berg’s Violin Concerto with the Utah Symphony and her highly anticipated sprechstimme performance of Pierrot Lunaire.
Season 2, Ep. 2 –Director Kathleen Clawson talks about the timeless elegance of Puccini’s La bohème and her current production with Utah Opera.
Season 2 Ep. 1 – Maestro Thierry Fischer shares his insights into the music of Camille Saint-Saëns and the Utah Symphony’s exciting recording project.
Ep. 37– 40 Days of Opera - Leslie and Michelle Peterson, daughters of Utah Opera founder Glade Peterson, talk about the opera’s rich heritage of artistic excellence and the excitement of a 40th Anniversary season.
Welcome to Utah Opera’s cultural festival. Enjoy 40 days of opera events, September 1st through October 15th, For more information, and a complete listing of events, visit UtahOpera.org /festival. For our first event, we are joined by Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth who shares some insights into the thrilling 2017-18 Season.
Ep. 35 – Tad Calcara, Principal Clarinet of the Utah Symphony talks about his upcoming performance of Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and his love for big band music.
Ep. 34 –The founder and conductor of CineConcerts, Justin Freer, talks about his upcoming performance of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert with the Utah Symphony.
Ep. 33 –Award-winning concert pianist Kevin Cole talks about his affinity for the music of George Gershwin and shares some fascinating experiences he had with Irving Berlin and members of the Gershwin family.
Ep. 32 – GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Patti Austin talks about her tribute performance for Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday at the Deer Valley® Music Festival.
Ep. 31 – Broadway star Lisa Vroman talks about her upcoming performance with the Utah Symphony at the Deer Valley® Music Festival.
Ep. 29 – Academy Award-winning composer Justin Hurwitz talks about the music he wrote for La La Land and the Utah Symphony’s upcoming films in concert performance.
Ep. 30 – The Ghost Light Podcast celebrates its 30th episode with a conversation with host Jeff Counts on his position as Vice President of Operations & General Manager of Utah Symphony.
Ep. 28 –Internationally-acclaimed violinist Simone Porter talks about her upcoming performance with the Utah Symphony, her repertoire wish list, and in finding insights in literature through music.
Ep. 27–Acclaimed Director Kristine McIntyre talks about Utah Opera’s upcoming film noir production of Don Giovanni and the excitement of returning next season for the thrilling new production of Moby Dick.
Ep. 26 – Abigail Rethwisch, Soprano, talks about her unexpected opportunity to perform the title role in Utah Opera’s acclaimed production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Ep. 25–Leslie and Michelle Peterson, daughters of Utah Opera founder Glade Peterson, talk about the opera’s rich heritage of artistic excellence and the excitement of a 40th Anniversary season.
Ep. 24 –Caitlyn Valovick Moore talks about performing as soloist for a world premiere NOVA Chamber Music Series performance and in her role as piccoloist/flutist for the Utah Symphony.
Ep. 23 – Associate Principal Trumpet Jeff Luke talks about his experiences sharing classical music around the world and in joining the Utah Symphony. (Released 3/17/17)
Ep. 22 – Utah Symphony President Paul Meecham talks about the new Films in Concert series and the thrilling performances of the 2017-18 season.
Ep. 21 – Maestro Thierry Fischer shares the exciting performances of the Utah Symphony’s 2017-18 season.
Ep. 20 – Artistic Director Christopher McBeth talks about all the thrilling productions coming up in Utah Opera’s 40th Anniversary Season.
Ep. 19– Clarinetist Erin Svoboda talks about joining the Utah Symphony and shares some insights into becoming a professional musician.
Ep. 18– Toby Tolokan vice president of artistic planning for Utah Symphony discusses the excitement and difficulty of planning an orchestra season.
Ep. 17– Travis Peterson discusses his background in drum corps and how he transitioned his musical interests to become principal trumpet for the Utah Symphony. (Released 1/25/17)
Ep. 16 – Renowned Director Paul Curran discusses Utah Opera’s production of Man of La Mancha. (Released 1/18/17)
Host Jeff Counts discusses the music of Charles Ives and other upcoming projects with Jason Hardink, Artistic Director of the NOVA Chamber Music Series and Principal Keyboard of the Utah Symphony. (Released 1/9/17)
Violinist David Porter talks about his work with MOTUS and in sharing classical music with the community in unexpected venues.
Cellist John Eckstein discusses his outreach work and upcoming service trip with several Utah Symphony musicians for BLUME Haiti.
Filmmaker Carol Dalrymple discusses collaborting with the Utah Symphony for her award-winning documentary National Parks Symphony: The Mighty Five.
GRAMMY Award-winning sound engineer Dirk Sobotka gives us an inside look at the complexities of recording an orchestra.
Host Jeff Counts and Sarah Coit discuss the life of an opera singer and touring Utah as one of Utah Opera's resident artists.
Ep. 7: Associate Conductor Rei Hotoda discusses the Utah Symphony's education outreach.
Host Jeff Counts and Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth give you a behind the scenes look at the process of planning an opera season.
Host Jeff Counts and Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's new president & CEO Paul Meecham discuss the future of orchestras in the United States and how programming plays a part in their future.
Host Jeff Counts and Utah Symphony percussionist Mike Pape discuss the process of auditioning for a major orchestra.
Host Jeff Counts and pianist Mary Anne Huntsman discuss getting kids involved with classical music.
Host Jeff Counts and Music Director Thierry Fischer launch the Utah Symphony's new podcast by discussing the complex process of planning an orchestra's season.