AN APPRECIATION OF OPERANOW! PODCAST
It took a global pandemic, but American opera companies are now (sort of) online. Content from companies and individuals alike is clogging our newsfeeds and overwhelming our eyeballs. New ventures are springing into existence with a biblical intensity. But one podcast was there before the rest, broadcasting their love of opera to a devoted, long suffering audience.
That’s right, the O.G. of opera new media is the Operanow! podcast.
Hosted by Michael Rice, Oliver Camacho, and Doug Dodson, Operanow! defined an aesthetic/formal template for personal opera podcasts. In its glory, it was experimental, profane, and truly funny. It was DIY but impressive; “amateur by design”. Over the years, the show expanded, took on partnerships, had multiple award show runs, and built a significant listenership. Fourteen years in, the show still retains its beautiful, expert-yet-messy essence.
On the surface, Operanow! is a current events podcast. The format loosely structures around the hosts and invited guests discussing the top 5 (or so) headlines in the opera world. About 40 minutes into each episode, the podcast shifts to Oliver’s corner, where host Oliver Camacho discusses an opera / musical moment / bit of vocalism that he is interested in at the moment. Over the years, there have been a hand full of other reliable segments: Guess Who Died, Michael’s Corner, and a segment I never fully understood called Operabusters.
I started listening to Operanow! in the fall of 2009 after meeting Oliver at an early music recital. He cornered me (in the most charming, non threatening sort of way) and mentioned that he was a panelist on an opera podcast. I started listening that evening.
I’ve lived with this show for over ten years, and like all well made, long running pieces of culture, there is profound meta-satisfaction in the long arch of the show. The form has remained (mostly) static but the lives of the hosts and guests have constantly changed. Regardless of what this podcast started out to be, cycles of lived experience infused it with a startling and deep sense of humanity.
The show mythology is immense. There were characters that came on the podcast for a run and then mysteriously disappeared forever. There were periods of frenzied, glorious output, punctuated by long breaks of absence. There were listener comments that could send certain panelists into long term existential spirals. It was all so personal. Like, so fucking personal. And it was also chock full of insight and expertise. To date, it features the best real time exegesis of the death of New York City Opera that exists. And many of Oliver’s verbal essays on repertoire and singers stand as the most interesting, creative, and informed pieces of Op Culture I’ve ever experienced.
At some point, episodes became less and less frequent and it seemed as though Operanow! was done for good. But, true to form, they are back. Who knows for how long, or with what intention. (Hopefully to dunk on the other lame opera podcasts popping up everywhere). Whatever it may be, I am grateful they exist. I grew up with Operanow! and, as we are fighting the content fight, I find myself returning to archival episodes just to reconnect with something personal, unique, and meaningful.
SO, If you are new, here are five episodes to bring you in. There are too many good episodes to count, so these five are kind of arbitrary. ENJOY! And sorry Michael, Oliver, and Doug, I hope this doesn’t get you canceled.
MS: This, to me, is operanow! at its best.
Episode 97: TWEEEENNNSS
This one is for the tweens...you are young and hot and want to kill me...because I'm so old...
Our girl Anne in DC takes apart Placido and his role(s) as director of 2 major companies...Franco Z is up to more crazy talk...no dearth of divas (buy a recording now!)...from pop star to opera star to crazy person?
Plus of course, Oliver's Corner and Doug Dodson's E-news...
This week we feature The OC, Doug Dodson, and Matt Garrett
MS: I came in around episode 95, I think. I spent the next year listening to archived episodes. Even at this early point, there is already an identity to the show.
Episode 13: Domo Arigati, Pavaroboti
This week we recap the Magic Flute (for the last time...I promise!), Domingo does Boccanegra, Kiri backs out of a concert, afraid of getting hit by a pair of panties, and we delve a bit into technology and the world of opera.
Our panelists are Roberta Rice, Kevin Kees and Oliver Camacho.
MS: A bit of everything great.
Episode 100: #100
We made it. Finally...
This week we look at Domingo's mysterious abdominal surgery...Renee Fleming rocks it out, indie style...Kathleen Battle is back?...Rolando's been clowning around...coming full circle, Deborah Voight lost weight (though they fooled me because it was an old story)...where have the contraltos gone?
Plus Guess Who Died?, some favorite opera clips, some favorite OperaNow! archive moments, some voicemails and a few surprise guests!
This week we feature The OC, Doug Dodson, Ethan Watermeier and Matt Garrett.
MS: At least one of the many great episodes taking apart the NYCO decline has to make this list. This one seems as good as any. What a prescient bunch!
Episode 61: So long, Stinktown
Mortier bails on NYCO...and Patner called it first...Santa Fe is way too high for Edo de Waart...Opera Pacific shuts (there) their doors...Robert Lapage goes high tech at the Met...Royal Opera goes nude...George Bush opera released online...Klingon opera coming soon...
Plus Oliver's Corner and Guess Who Died? (times two)
This week we feature Oliver Camacho, Doug Dodson and newcomer, Nathalie Colas.
MS: Operanow! did the whole culture sharing thing better than any show. I love this in particular for Ed Rosen. Good all the way through.
BONUS EPISODE: BUILDING YOUR LIBRARY - Youtube
We continue our series with the return of Ken Benson and the arrival of Ed Rosen! We have a great discussion about YouTube and the treasures you can find. A great show that could win us the Podcast Award! Clips are below:
Ed: Tucker & Tebaldi Manon, Richard Tucker, Corelli & Nilsson
Ken: Pia Tassinari, Fritz Wunderlich, Eleanor Steber
Oliver: Mark Morris Dido, Mariella Devia, Renata Scotto
Michael: Thomas Hampson, Luciano Pavarotti
Check out Ken at the Marcello Giordani Foundation event Friday, November 9th discussing verismo opera. And Ed thinks your should come to the Richard Tucker Gala this Sunday, November 11th.
