The OperaWire Podcast

Denyce Graves on Developing the New Generation, Carmen & Saying Goodbye to the Stage

Denyce Graves Joins David and Francisco Salazar to discuss The Denyce Grave Foundation and its roots. She also delves into her experience as a director and what it meant

Highlights from the 2025-26 Season

David and Francisco Salazar speak about the highlights of the 2025-26 season and what their favorite performances were.   

Parenting in Opera with Dr. Rachel Copeland & Scott Skiba

What is it like to raise a child in the opera industry while traveling around the world? Dr. Rachel Copeland & Scott Skiba join Francisco Salazar and Afton Markay for a d

Vocal Health, Fatherhood & Bel Canto with Jack Swanson

David and Francisco Salazar speak to tenor Jack Swanson about his new venture Vocalise and vocal health. Swanson also reminisces about "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" and his r

Interview with Johnathan McCullough About National Youth Opera Academy

Johnathan McCullough joins David and Francisco Salazar on the OperaWire Podcast to speak about the acclaimed National Youth Opera Academy and his balancing his career as

The Metropolitan Opera Crisis, the Opera Gala & Teatro La Fenice's Conductor Drama

On this episode of the OperaWire Podcast, David and Francisco speak about the Metropolitan Opera's financial crisis, the opera gala, and the Saudi deal. They also speak a

Conversation with "Viva Verdi" Team Christine La Monte and Yvonne Russo

David and Francisco Salazar speak to filmmakers Christine La Monte and Yvonne Russo, the team behind the Oscar nominated film "Viva Verdi!"

Opera at the Oscars, Timothée Chalamet & Tristan und Isolde

David and Francisco Salazar summarize the Oscars and how opera became a central part of the evening and give their final thoughts on Timothée Chalamet's controversial com

Timothée Chalamet & His Opera Comments

David and Francisco Salazar discuss Timothée Chalamet's comments on opera and the response to it. They also response to how opera and film have been intertwined for many

How to Win a Grammy

Francisco Salazar and Afton Markay speak with Primo Artists' Katy Salomon about the best strategies for winning the Grammy and the best practices for a successful campaig

Alan Pierson

On this episode of the OperaWire Podcast, Alan Pierson joins the Salazars to talk about the Grammys, Lady Gaga, how he fell in love with contemporary music and opera and

The Metropolitan Opera's Financial Crisis & Tristan und Isolde

On this episode, David and Francisco Salazar discuss the Metropolitan Opera's financial crisis. Plus we discuss the Oscar nominated song from "Viva Verdi!," "Heated Rival

Brian Jagde

Brian Jagde joins the Salazars for an in depth conversation on the industry, singing Verdi's Otello and his upcoming role debut as Lohengrin.

Sharing the Best of 2025

David and Francisco are joined by OperaWire writers Afton Markay and Jennifer Pyron to look at their operatic highlights of 2025.   

Sting at the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy Center & Denyce Graves's Farewell

On this episode, we discuss the Metropolitan Opera's announcement of "The Last Ship" by Sting, Denyce Graves' farewell performance, and the continuing drama at the Kenned

A Controversial Music Director & A Saudi Deal

David and Francisco Salazar discuss the new season and the controversies surrounding the music director at the Teatro La Fenice and the Met Opera's new Saudi Deal. 

A Tale of two Sopranos at the Royal Opera House, Met Opera's New Initiatives & Opening Nights Around the World

David and Francisco Salazar discuss the Royal Opera House's New "Tosca" and the controversy around it as well as the Met Opera's New Initiatives. There is also a discussi

Controversia alla Italiana, Detroit Opera Cuts Production & Tosca

David and Francisco Salazar discuss several controversies from Verona, Caserta, and Detroit. They also discuss their history with "Tosca."

Highlights from the 2024-25 Season

David and Francisco Salazar share their highlights of the 2024-25 season.