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This episode of An Honest Look features Golda Schultz, a soprano who made her professional start at the Bavarian State Opera and has gone on to become a regular presence at leading houses on both sides of the pond. She spoke about moving beyond the concept of perfection; growing up in South Africa; the characters who most inspire her; and more. *2:00 – [musical excerpt: “Ach Ich fühl’s” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte] – making her breakthrough at the Salzburg Festival *5:29 – living in the land of Mozart (the father) and Richard Strauss *9:53 – the history of Golda’s hometown, Bophuthatswana, and what it means to be South African *13:35 – [musical excerpt: “Summertime” from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess] – her first encounter with opera and vocal studies *16:33 – picking and choosing characters This interview was originally conducted for the New York Philharmonic Musical excerpts provided courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman

NFTs, short for Non-Fungible Tokens, offer new horizons for musicians, artists, and other creative professionals. Achilleas Sarantaris is a musician and philosophy research student who is currently working at the intersection of music and the blockchain space. He is the music producer for the programmable NFT platform async.art. *2:57 – example of using NFTs in fundraising and collaborative art *5:55 – [musical excerpt: W.A.Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik NFT] - the promise of financial independence *8:40 - price discrimination and superfans *10:23 - digital patronage and classical music *11:05 - [musical excerpt: W.A.Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik NFT] – AI and the role of platforms Musical excerpts provided courtesy of Async. Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman

Alison Tickell is the CEO and founder of Julie’s Bicycle, a London-based charity that promotes action against climate change in the cultural sector. She spoke with us about how classical music institutions can take steps toward reducing their carbon footprint; build understanding about the environmental crisis; and create a more sustainable business model. *3:54 – [musical excerpt: Stuart MacRae’s Anthropocene] – founding Julie’s Bicycle and collaborating with the Arts Council England *7:10 – spreading awareness, particularly in the opera industry *9:56 – [musical excerpt: Stuart MacRae’s Anthropocene] – making culture the paradigm shift *13:32 – [musical excerpt: Stuart MacRae’s Anthropocene] – the next frontier: climate justice This interview was originally conducted for the International New York Times Musical excerpts provided courtesy of Scottish Opera and OperaVision Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman

The impressario Dominique Meyer began his tenure as artistic director of La Scala in Milan just as the corona pandemic was breaking out in Europe. He spoke with us about the logistical challenges and rewards of steering Italy’s iconic opera house through the crisis and what lies on the horizon as live events return under more normal circumstances. *2:09 – [musical excerpt: Verdi’s Requiem, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Chailly] – on taking over La Scala during the first lockdown. *4:24 – striking an agreement with the union *7:03 – [musical excerpt: Verdi’s Aida, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Chailly] – resuming activities without an audience. *12:04 – [musical excerpt: Verdi’s Requiem Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Chailly] – the commitment of La Scala’s staff to revitalizing the house. This interview was originally conducted for the International New York Times Musical excerpts provided courtesy of La Scala Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman

In this episode, three performing arts students talk about their career perspectives in the opera profession. The director Heather Tan Yi Ling of Singapore spent the last year learning media skills. The conductor Elias Miller – a native of Albany, New York who is continuing his studies in Vienna – has been contemplating the social relevance of his chosen profession. And the Swiss soprano Cinzia Zanovello recognizes more than ever how essential it is to push the art form beyond its privileged status. SHOW NOTES *2:05 – The director Heather Tan Yi Ling speaks about opera audiences in Asia; social media; and making the world a better place through art *4:56 – [musical excerpt: BETTER2MOROW, music video produced by Heather Tan Yi Ling] – the conductor Elias Miller on maintaining purpose and social relevance in his chosen profession *7:46 – [musical excerpt: Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E-minor; Elias Miller conducting the Apollo Ensemble of Boston] – adapting to the digital market and tackling climate change *12:53 – [musical excerpt: “Donde lieta usci al tuo grido d’amore,” from Puccini’s La Bohème; Cinzia Zanovello, soprano] – keeping opera human and maintaining conviction as a singer *15:53 – [musical excerpt: Arioso of Iolanta from Tchaikovsky’s eponymous opera; Cinzia Zanovello, soprano] – on the importance of pushing the art form beyond its privileged status Excerpts provided courtesy of Heather Tan Yi Ling, Elias Miller and Cinzia Zanovello Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman

An Honest Look: Jennifer Koh The violinist Jennifer Koh is one of today’s most fearless soloists. In this episode of An Honest Look, she discusses her commitment to keeping classical music vibrant through new commissions, especially by female composers and composers of color; her project “Alone Together,” launched just after the pandemic hit; and how small decisions can change the course of history. *2:05 – [musical excerpt: Missy Mazzoli’s “A Thousand Tongues” for violin, piano, and electronics] – on breaking down stereotypes and creating solidarity through music *6:03 – [musical excerpt: Qasim Naqvi’s “The Banquet” for violin and modular synthesizer] – on strengthening the art form by telling unheard stories *8:40 – [musical excerpt: Lisa Bielawa’s “Sanctuary Songs” for violin and voice] – the commissioning project “Alone Together” and surviving the pandemic *14:02 – [musical excerpt: John Harbison’s “For Violin Alone”] – more reflections on “Alone Together” and the importance of community *17:08 – [musical excerpt: Vijay Iyer’s “The Diamond” for violin and piano] – the New American Concert project and finding purpose in contemporary music Excerpts from “Limitless” – featuring Jennifer Koh on violin alongside composers performing their own music – provided courtesy of Cedille Records. Excerpts from “Bach Beyond Part 3,” featuring Jennifer Koh on solo violin, provided courtesy of Cedille Records. Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman.

In this episode John Warner, founder and music director of Orchestra for the Earth, describes his orchestra’s initiatives for climate action; what green routing is; and how Mahler’s composition huts inspired a new way of engaging with one of the most important topics we face today.

In this episode, Andrea Kleibel and Rebecca Schmid explore an evolution that has been quietly taking place in the classical music world: the transformation of orchestras and concert presenters into part-time broadcasters. Executives from the Cleveland Orchestra, Konserthuset Stockholm, Vienna Symphony and New World Symphony speak about their strategies, from monetization to infrastructure, and offer their thoughts about the future.

The conductor Chien Wen-Pin has served as executive and artistic director of Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, or Weiwuying, since its opening in 2018. In this episode, he talks about the circumstances under which the center has been able to mount full-scale performances since July 2020; protocol in Asia as it compares to Europe; his first experience with opera; and the importance of trans-national exchange.

Marina Mahler is a passionate mentor of young artists and an early supporter of the climate debate. The granddaughter of Gustav Mahler and daughter of sculptress Anna Mahler, she has established two foundations in their respective namesakes. In this episode, she shares her thoughts about enduring the Covid-19 pandemic; the role of the arts in society; and the contemporary impulses in Gustav Mahler’s music.

The singers Jan Kiepura and Marta Eggerth were a musical dream couple and superstars in the early days of recorded sound and music film. Their younger son, Marjan Kiepura, and his wife Jane Knox-Kiepura tell us about their careers before and after American exile, from serenading fans outside the Vienna State Opera to performing Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” in Polish for audiences in Chicago.

Despite lockdown, the Vienna Philharmonic has managed to perform as a full ensemble and even travel to Asia. In this episode, chairman Daniel Froschauer and general manager Michael Bladerer discuss this season’s challenges and accomplishments. Show Notes: *2:41 – audience decorum in Japan *5:09 – maintaining musical standards *7:01 – [musical excerpt: “Im Fluge, Polka schnell,” Josef Strauss] – aerosol tests and government collaboration *11:15 – activities at the orchestra academy *13:10 – [musical excerpt: “Wo die Zitronen blüh’n…,” Johann Strauss II] – coping with renewed performance restrictions This interview was originally conducted for the International New York Times. Excerpts from the 2020 New Year’s Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic under conductor Andris Nelsons provided courtesy of Sony Classical Intro and outro composed and performed by Miguel Kertsman