Behind the Curtain, hosted by soprano Soula Parassidis and tenor Norman Reinhardt at the beautiful Hotel Bristol in Vienna, is a video podcast by Living Opera that takes listeners beyond the grand performances and into the heart of opera. Through candid, thought-provoking conversations, the podcast reveals insights that transcend the stage, exploring universal themes such as personal growth, leadership, and perseverance. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or simply curious about how artistry intersects with everyday life, Behind the Curtain offers a unique perspective that bridges the world of performance with real-world challenges and experiences. Watch the video version of this podcast on Living Opera's Facebook and YouTube Channels.
Finding Freedom Through Music: A Conversation with George Perris
Send us a text New episode of Behind the Curtain featuring international vocalist George Perris. George is one of the rare artists who moves fluidly between classical technique, contemporary crossover, and global pop traditions. His multilingual albums have reached wide international audiences, and his concert work spans major stages around the world. Known for his expressive range and refined musicianship, he brings a distinctive presence to the modern touring landscape and continues t...
4 Apr 2025
Christos Makridis — Behind the Economics of Arts and Culture
Send us a text What happens when rigorous economic research meets the world of classical music? Prepare to have your assumptions challenged as Soula Parassidis interviews economist Christos Makridis about his groundbreaking research quantifying the true value of arts and culture in our communities. With seven degrees (including two PhDs from Stanford) and over 80 published academic papers, Christos brings unprecedented analytical rigor to questions the arts sector has long struggled to answe...
28 Mar 2025
Michael Hofstetter: The Music Between The Notes
Send us a text Stillness and intuition play pivotal roles in the heartbeat of a performance for conductor Michael Hofstetter. His insights shed light on how the music industry has evolved over the last 40 years and why maintaining a deep connection to the art form is essential for both conductors and performers alike. He engages us with personal anecdotes from his life, revealing how childhood experiences ignited his passion for music and shaped his career. Diving deep into the emotional lan...
22 Jan 2025
Navigating the Business Side of Singing
Send us a textIn this Behind The Curtain episode, Soula Parassidis and Norman Reinhardt talk about the multifaceted realities of pursuing an opera career, especially regarding often overlooked financial aspects. By sharing personal experiences and shedding light on hidden costs, to goal of this episode is to empower aspiring artists to understand better what lies ahead, emphasizing hope and education.• Exploring a young artist's question about the worth of pursuing opera • The complexity...
14 Jan 2025
Maddalena Del Gobbo's Artistic Evolution
Maddalena Del Gobbo shares her artistic evolution from cello to viola da gamba, revealing how music has been a source of healing and refuge through pivotal life events and family connections.
7 Jan 2025
Future-Proofing Opera and Classical Music
Send us a textThis episode centers on the concept of future-proofing in the arts, exploring the grim employment statistics facing musicians and the need for adaptability and innovation. The discussion emphasizes mentorship, personal branding, and proactive roles for artists to reshape their futures in an evolving landscape.• Exploring the concept of future-proofing and its relevance to opera • Analyzing employment growth trends in the arts sector • Discussing the disconnect between education ...
2 Jan 2025
2025 Predictions in Opera – The Digital Renaissance
Send us a textWe explore optimistic predictions for the opera industry in 2025, discussing the importance of digital transformation, operational efficiency, regional engagement, collaboration, and audience education. The conversation emphasizes finding creative solutions to empower artists, connect with communities, and revitalize the art form.• Digital platforms will enhance audience reach through on-demand content • Organizations need to streamline operational costs to support artists...
24 Dec 2024
A Living Opera Christmas Special – Unveiling "All is Bright"
Send us a textWhat if the warmth of Christmas music could bridge gaps and foster global connections? As we unveil our mini Christmas special and launch our album All is Bright, we invite you to join us on a melodic journey that captures the true spirit of the season. This episode offers a performance of Silent Night, including a special verse in German for our Vienna audience, and a rendition of What Child Is This? Discover how our humble beginnings on Instagram evolved into a worldwide artis...
17 Dec 2024
The Spotlight – Navigating High Notes and Finding Your Voice
Send us a textImagine standing on stage, the spotlight burning down on you, as you prepare to hit that elusive high note—your personal Roman Emplire, constantly looming in your thoughts. In our latest episode, we promise an eye-opening journey into the minds and souls of opera singers, exploring the immense mental and physical preparation required for these critical moments. Through candid reflections, we uncover how the pressure of high notes is not just an opera singer's challenge but a uni...
10 Dec 2024
Dissecting Artist Economics with Christos Makridis
Christos Makridis, professor and Living Opera co-founder, examines the intersection of economics and opera, revealing why artistic labor market experiences often go unnoticed by economists and market analysts.
2 Dec 2024
From Crisis to Community – Creating Living Opera
Living Opera founders Soula Parassidis & Norman Reinhardt share their journey from crisis to community, empowering opera singers and audiences through their organization's mission.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
276,225
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
45
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
Contact Behind the Curtain by Living Opera
Guest appearances
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