Welcome to Front Row Center with host Mike Bolton. Sitting front row center gives a unique perspective when you go to an opera. Maybe it's where you normally sit, but maybe it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite work or artist. We'll do just that on Front Row Center, a monthly opera magazine podcast, exploring canonical or new operas from this unique perspective.
Front Row Center
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7 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to Front Row Center with host Mike Bolton. Sitting front row center gives a unique perspective when you go to an opera. Maybe it's where you normally sit, but maybe it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite work or artist. We'll do just that on Front Row Center, a monthly opera magazine podcast, exploring canonical or new operas from this unique perspective.
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Publishing Since
10/3/2022
1 verified contact email on file for Front Row Center
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Recent Episodes
September 11, 2023
FRC - S1E7: The Barber of Seville and Pop Culture
<p>If you were to say "Figaro" three times in quick succession, I'm guessing most people would be able to sing it back to you as it is heard in Figaro's entrance aria, "Largo al factotum" in Rossini's The Barber of Seville. The opera has infiltrated popular culture from figure skating routines, to pasta commercials, and, of course, cartoons. It could be that The Barber of Seville was "pop culture" even when the play on which it was based premiered in 1775.</p> <p>For this special edition of Front Row Center, we'll talk with everyday folks about what comes to mind when they hear the name "The Barber of Seville" (@ 3:50), then I share some information about <strong>Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais</strong>, the playwright who seemed to have his pulse on the entire world (@9:30). After that I spoke with television, film, and theatrical hair and makeup artist <strong>Alfreda ("Fre") Howard </strong>about the importance of hair in society and working with hair of all types (@13:50). Finally, I was honored to speak with three legendary American interpreters of Rosina: <strong>Jennifer Larmore, Susanne Mentzer, and Frederica von Stade</strong>. They shared their thoughts on Rosina and pop culture, getting nervous before a performance, and what they like (or not) about getting their hair done (@20:50). </p> <p>This episode is based on a video I created for Cincinnati Opera in the summer of 2020, the first summer of the COVID crisis. You can find the complete video, including interviews, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGpA5mRO_Jk&t=3s.</p> <p>Don't forget to check out our <strong>Spotify Playlist</strong> for The Barber of Seville, which includes some of my favorite moments from the "giddy" score. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CbDF2gz53LqihhkcgKbBX?si=9205b4d83c174cbe</p> <p>And, visit the episode poll on the Spotify episode homepage. </p> <p>As always, you can always reach out to me through my website, www.michaeljbolton.com, or email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com.</p> <p>Thanks for listening!</p> <p><br></p>
September 1, 2023
FRC - S1E6 : Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore
<p>Donizetti's ebullient bel canto comedy, <strong>L'elisir d'amore</strong>, is rightfully one of the jewels in the canon with its amusing story, gorgeous melodies that come one after another, and one of the great operatic characters at its center, Nemorino. </p> <p>We'll celebrate this opera by talking with sommelier <strong>Massimo Maietto</strong> (@6:25) about wine and which wines he would suggest as a love potion. Then, therapist <strong>Biany Perez</strong> (@20:00) discusses the games we play in relationships. After that celebrated American bass-baritone <strong>Patrick Carfizzi </strong>(@35:22)<strong> </strong>shares his journey to buffo roles and the chiaroscuro nature in all of us. Finally, we'll talk with <strong>Giovanna Cavaliere</strong> (@46:17), the personal assistant and long-time friend of <strong>Luciano Pavarotti</strong>, the greatest Nemorino of the late 20th century. </p> <p>Learn more about our guests on their websites!</p> <ul> <li>Biany Perez: www:bianyperez.com</li> <li>Patrick Carfizzi: www.patrickcarfizzi.com</li> </ul> <p>Don't forget to check out our <strong>Spotify Playlist</strong> for L'elisir d'amore, which includes a little tribute to the great Italian soprano <strong>Renata Scotto</strong>. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JDZz1GnYBKtnlxcLaHZcd?si=e55d2f69473f4237</p> <p>You can always reach out to me on my website, www.michaeljbolton.com, or email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com. </p>
June 4, 2023
FRC - S1E5 : Verdi's La Traviata
<p>Step into the world of the demimonde with Verdi's masterpiece La Traviata. In digging into this opera, we’ll look at 19th-century courtesans and Marie Duplessis, the real-life courtesan who tangentially inspired La Traviata. That conversation is with <a href="https://shadyladiestours.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Professor Andrew Lear</strong></a>. Violetta in the opera, famously dies from tuberculosis. I spoke with infectious disease expert <a href="https://ldi.upenn.edu/fellows/fellows-directory/patrick-joseph-pj-brennan-md/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Dr. P. J. Brennan</strong></a> about the disease. Then, horticulturist <a href="https://karlgercens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Karl Gercens</strong></a> of <a href="https://longwoodgardens.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Longwood Gardens</a> shares what makes the camellia, Violetta’s favorite flower, so special. Sex Worker Advocate <a href="https://www.loladavina.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Lola Davina</a> talks about her journey as a sex worker and gives us a bit of a reality check on sex work in the 21st century. Finally, today’s reigning Violetta, having sung the role over 300 times, <a href="http://www.ermonelajaho.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Ermonela Jaho</strong></a><strong> </strong>is with us on Front Row Center. </p> <p>There's also a La Traviata playlist for this podcast which you can check out at the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/31aa7wnezizqcs7c2annqov3elba?si=2fd100ecc3db4a54" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Front Row Center Playlist</strong></a>.</p> <p>To learn more about Mike, visit his <a href="https://www.michaeljbolton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">website</a>, <a href="michaeljbolton.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">michaeljbolton.com</a>.</p> <p>Finally, if you share the name Michael Bolton or know someone who does and might be interested in being interviewed for a new podcast, email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com. </p>
7 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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