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. 

Episode 9.10 - Leoncavallo's Pagliacci Prelude

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.

Episode 9.11 - Madame Butterfly Prelude Part One

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. 

Episode 9.13 - Madame Butterfly Prelude Part Two

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.

Episode 9.14 - Madame Butterfly Prelude Part Three

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.

Episode 10.1 - Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto

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! 

Episode 10.2 - The Shining

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.

Episode 10.3 - Mahler's Symphony No. 1

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. 

Episode 10.4 - A Voice Reborn

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.

Episode 10.5 - Maestro Poschner

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.org

USUO’s Ghostlight podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson. 

Ghost Light Episode 10.6: Breaking Down Barriers

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.

New tracks tagged #jeff counts