Performing Wagner

A Bestiary of Imagined Monsters

In the third episode of of Opera Tok, we speak with writer Joel Tan and composer Jonathan Shin on their song cycle, A Bestiary of Imagined Monsters, commissioned for the 2023 edition of In Our Manner of Speaking, Altered States. This episode also features a recording of three of the songs by tenor Reuben Lai and Jonathan Shin on piano. Listen to Opera Tok oh Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Opera Tok is written and created by The Opera people and produced by MeaVox Live, with the support of Audio-Technica and City Music. Hosted by Shridar Mani with direction and sound design by Raven Lim and production assistance by Loh Yen Lyng.

Parrot, Scientist, Root, Fable

In the second episode of of Opera Tok, we speak with poet Samuel Lee and composer Tan Yuting on a new song cycle, Parrot, Scientist, Root_Fables, commissioned for the 2023 edition of In Our Manner of Speaking, Altered States. This episode also features a live recording of the songs from the premiere with sopranos Teng Xiang Ting, Akiko Otao, cellist Lin Juan and pianist Jonathan Shin. Listen to Opera Tok oh Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Opera Tok is written and created by The Opera people and produced by MeaVox Live, with the support of Audio-Technica and City Music. Hosted by Shridar Mani with direction and sound design by Raven Lim and production assistance by Loh Yen Lyng.

Getai Songs

In the first episode of the 3rd season of Opera Tok, we speak with composer Tan Yuting about her arrangement of 3 getai songs, commissioned by The Opera People for the 2022 edition of In Our Manner of Speaking, Sounds of You. This episode also features a recording of the songs performed by soprano Felicia Teo Kaixin and pianist Jonathan Shin. Opera Tok is written and created by The Opera people and produced by MeaVox Live, with the support of Audio-Technica and City Music. Hosted by Shridar Mani with direction and sound design by Raven Lim and production assistance by Loh Yen Lyng.

Performing Wagner

In the final episode of this season, Performing Wagner, we are thrilled to speak with Christoph Wichert, bassoonist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra on the joys and challenges of performing Wagner’s music.  This year, we are teaming up with our friends from The Orchestra of the Music Makers to explore the work of one composer, and probably one of the most celebrated AND controversial composers in opera, Richard Wagner. This is ahead of the Orchestra of the Music Makers’ performance of the first opera of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold, on July 8.  Over 6 episodes, we will be speaking with experts and musicians to unpack Wagner’s work, discuss some of the issues and how they translate to us in the 21st Century, and explore how these works continue to be relevant in uncovering the conflicts in human nature that have led to many of the global issues we face today.  From mythology and Game of Thrones to climate change and the environment, join us as we descend into the worlds of Richard Wagner and his operas.  Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or whoever you listen to your podcasts! Opera Tok is produced by MeaVox Live, and hosted by Shridar Mani

Wagner? I barely even know her

In this week’s episode, Wagner? I barely even know her! We chat with Wong Yong En and Tan Yao Cong, discussing the relevance of Wagner today, especially here in Singapore. This year, we are teaming up with our friends from The Orchestra of the Music Makers to explore the work of one composer, and probably one of the most celebrated AND controversial composers in opera, Richard Wagner. This is ahead of the Orchestra of the Music Makers’ performance of the first opera of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold, on July 8.  Over 6 episodes, we will be speaking with experts and musicians to unpack Wagner’s work, discuss some of the issues and how they translate to us in the 21st Century, and to explore the ways in which these works continue to be relevant in uncovering the conflicts in human nature that have led to many of the global issues we face today.  From mythology and Game of Thrones to climate change and the environment, join us as we descend into the worlds of Richard Wagner and his operas.  Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts! Opera Tok is produced by MeaVox Live, and hosted by Shridar Mani