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.

Episode 5.12 - Omer Ben Seadia - Breaking the Glass Proscenium

Pinchus Zukerman sits down with the Ghost Light Podcast.

Episode 5.11 - Pinchas Zukerman

Vocal Coach Nova Thomas joins the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss operatic voice types and the Fach system.

Episode 5.7 Nova Thomas discusses the Fach System

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.

6.02 Deep Dive - Brahms Symphony No. 4

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.

Episode 6.08 - Opera Deep Dive

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.

Special Edition - Opera Prelude for Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance"

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

Episode 7.01 - Opera Prelude for Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman"

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

Episode 7.02 – Behind the Seams: Every Body is Beautiful

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.”

Episode 7.03 – Opera Prelude for Donizetti’s "The Daughter of the Regiment"

Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Verdi's “Rigoletto.”

Episode 7.04 - Opera Prelude for Verdi's "Rigoletto"

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.

Episode 7.05 – Part I – The Making of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs with Librettist Mark Campbell

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.

Episode 7.06 – Part II – The Making of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs with Composer Mason Bates

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!

Episode 7.07 - Opera Prelude for "The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

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!

Episode 7.08 – That’s What You Call Leadership with Utah Symphony Music Director, Thierry Fischer

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.

Episode 8.1 - La Bohème Prelude

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?

Episode 8.2 – Beethoven 9 Deep Dive

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.

Episode 8.3 - You Can Only Do Your Best with Creative Partner David Robertson

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?

Episode 8.4 - A Movie Music Deep Dive

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.

Episode 8.5 - Little Prince Prelude

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.

Episode 8.6 - Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" Prelude

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.

Episode 8.7 - A guitar Players Amusement Park with Gretchen Menn

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.

S2 Ep. #11

Episode 2.11: Gary Thor Wedow

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.

Andrew Norman - Season 3 Ep. #1 The Ghost Light Podcast

Episode 3.1: Andrew Norman

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.

Conner Gray Covington- S3 Ep.#6

Episode 3.6: Conner Gray Covington

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson interview guest conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto.

Episode 4.5: Carlos Miguel Prieto - Part 2 - Orchestral "Bucket List"

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.

Special Episode - Music Heals

Utah Symphony principal percussionist Keith Carrick joins the Ghost Light podcast to discuss his experiences as a symphonic percussionist.

Episode 4.12 - Keith Carrick discusses symphonic percussion

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.

Episode 4.13 - Michael Chioldi discusses life as an opera singer

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.

Episode 4.16 - Nicole Heaston

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.

Episode 5.2 – Composer Quinn Mason Principal Trombone Mark Davidson discuss Changes/Transitions

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.

Popular tracks by Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera)