Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. In our final episode of Season 1, Sophie and Indyana continue their interview with the brilliant and hilarious Nicky Spence. Nicky shares some pearls of wisdom he’s learned along the way, his favourite roles to sing, how he sees opera and musical theatre, and his hopes for the future, all the while cracking us up with his wit and charm. Of course, we conclude with 10 quick-fire questions.
We’ve had an absolute pleasure sharing these interviews with you in this, our first season, and we’re already looking forward to Diva Download Season 2. See you then!
Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
18 Sept 2020
Nicky Spence, Part 1
Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. For our final interview of Season 1, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the brilliant and hilarious Scottish tenor Nicky Spence. In Part 1, Nicky charms with tales of life backstage, his quarantine music recommendations, and favourite roles to play. We discuss his early success at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and his HUGE record contract with Decca Records, touring with Dame Shirley Bassey, and how art song can be a ‘gateway drug’ into opera for young singers.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
4 Sept 2020
David Butt Philip, Part 2
Happy Friday, and welcome back to Part 2 of Sophie and Indyana’s interview with sensational British tenor, David Butt Philip! In this episode, David tells us his favourite places to sing in the world, why he never feels nervous for performances, his tips for normalising auditions, and standing out in them. We conclude with our 10 quick-fire questions, and David tells us his go-to shower song, his worst job outside of singing, and his concern for British cheese manufacturers!
Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
28 Aug 2020
David Butt Philip, Part 1
Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. For our sixth interview, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the sensational British tenor David Butt Philip. In Part 1, David explains his unconventional start in rock bands and musicals before choral singing and then eventual training as a baritone. He tells of his ‘no brainer’ decision to switch to tenor, finding his niche in German and Slavic music, keeping his ‘money notes’ reliable, and stepping in for Jonas Kaufmann last minute.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
14 Aug 2020
Dame Sarah Connolly, Part 2
Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. In this episode, Sophie and Indyana continue their interview with esteemed British Mezzo Dame Sarah Connolly. They discuss inhabiting male characters, singing to serve the music, and a singer's relationship with their manager/agent. Dame Sarah shares her favourite roles, typical show-day routine, and her thoughts on singing such a huge range of music, from Handel to Wagner. As usual, we conclude with 10 quick-fire questions!
Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
7 Aug 2020
Dame Sarah Connolly, Part 1
And another exciting guest on Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Sophie and Indyana are joined by the esteemed British Mezzo-Soprano, Dame Sarah Connolly. They discuss her early relationship with music as a singer and pianist, conductors, ornaments, stage dreams and nightmares on her journey to opera stardom. Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
24 Jul 2020
Sir Thomas Allen, Part 2
Hello! Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Today, Sophie and Indyana continue their interview with British baritone Sir Thomas Allen. They discuss how he kept roles from becoming stale, the soundtrack to his quarantine, his thoughts on what the future holds for classical music in the UK, and, as usual, 10 fun Quick-Fire Questions.
Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
10 Jul 2020
Sir Thomas Allen, Part 1
Welcome back to Diva Download, a podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. For our fourth interview, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the venerated British baritone Sir Thomas Allen. In part 1, Sir Tom confirms rumours that he was indeed the inspiration for Billy Elliot, and tells of his North East England origins. He shares his thoughts on the change of the opera scene and classical music within Britain over the course of his life, roles that affected him personally, and much more!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com
3 Jul 2020
Nuccia Focile, Part 2
Welcome back to Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Indyana and Sophie are thrilled to release part 2 of our interview with the brilliant Nuccia Focile.
Nuccia shares her experiences singing with Pavarotti, what it’s like to be on stage alone singing a one-woman opera, the hardest thing she’s ever done on stage (not what you’d expect!), advice for young singers, and much, much more. As always, the interview concludes with a series of 10 quick-fire questions.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com
26 Jun 2020
Nuccia Focile, Part 1
Welcome back to Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. For our third interview, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the brilliant Nuccia Focile. In part 1, Nuccia shares stories of 20-minute applauses with Luciano Pavarotti, her Metropolitan Opera debut at a few hours notice, how she discovered opera singing and why she fell in love with it.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com
19 Jun 2020
Lauren Fagan
Welcome to the third episode of Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Today, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the fabulous Australian Soprano, Lauren Fagan. Our discussions range from socially-distanced rehearsals in Bergen to drinking pints on stage with Sir Bryn Terfel, punctuated with a bunch of useful advice for young singers and sensational stories for opera fans.
You can find out Spotify playlist at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BYc7izg4OtOZt0y6hF1No?si=L0klzDVcQlKbWX6CBdklEA (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BYc7izg4OtOZt0y6hF1No?si=L0klzDVcQlKbWX6CBdklEA)
Email: divadownload@hotmail.com (mailto:divadownload@hotmail.com)
Freelance Artist Relief Australia: https://freelanceartistrelief.com (https://freelanceartistrelief.com/)
11 Jun 2020
Roderick Williams OBE, Part 2
Welcome back to the second episode of Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Today, Sophie and Indyana continue their chat with the charming British baritone, Roderick Williams OBE.
In part 2, we discuss the extraordinary experiences of playing sadists, murderers and seducers on the stage, 'diva-like' behaviour, preparing huge song cycles and 10 fun Quick-Fire Questions.
Please rate, review and subscribe on your favourite listening platform!
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com
5 Jun 2020
Roderick Williams OBE, Part 1
Welcome to the first episode of Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world. Today, Sophie and Indyana are joined by the charming British baritone, Roderick Williams OBE.
In part 1, we discuss all sorts - from performance anxiety to perfectionism, with a few hilarious stories to boot.
To get in touch, email divadownload@hotmail.com
23 May 2020
Diva Download, official trailer
Introducing Diva Download, a new podcast interviewing stars of the opera world.
Meet our hosts, Indyana Schneider and Sophie Kidwell, and hear our line-up of exciting guests in Series One.
Music by Leo Munby.
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