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Monday
May202013

OperaNow! #187: I Thought Doug Dotson Was A Girl

James Levine has returned...Is Lyric Opera Chicago's Oklahoma OK? (L-A-H-O-M-A)...Chicago Opera Theater fills season with adventurous pieces you've never heard of...San Fran couple hold fund raiser for implants.
This week Oliver is back to his old tricks dressin' up as your sister, tryin' to steal your man.

A drop the needle on Ino/Juno from Handel's Semele.
This week features Michael, The OC, Doug Dodson and (maybe) Jenny Rivera.

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    OperaNow! THE opera podcast that brings you all the weekly news in the opera world. - Home - OperaNow! #187: I Thought Doug Dotson Was A Girl

Reader Comments (81)

Don't go away! I love listening to you guys!

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAmanda

Get 700 people to agree

May 22, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

DONT YOU DARE stop making podcasts! (I mean, unless you really don't want to anymore.) Mike Mayes stopped making podcasts, and if you guys stop too then there are no other decent opera podcasts. I look forward to hearing your discussions every week, and when you skip a week I'm always disappointed. On days that new podcasts come out, it makes my boring workday go by so much faster. You guys are informed and funny.

I wonder about how your statistics are generated? Because I almost never download the show, I always stream.

A friend of mine was once like, we could do an opera podcast, and I was like, "I would love to, but it could never be as good as Michael, Oliver, Doug and Jenny." Please, please, please don't go! Seriously, my dick jokes wouldn't be nearly as funny, and my Peter Gelb impression is terrible. So what could fill the void? Actually listening to opera? Yeah, right.

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMolly

I love this show. dont leave the air
the straight guy seems to be over doing the show, so find someone new. He talks over everyone anyway.
olivers corner is my favorite.
idk what else to say

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered Commenteranonymous

I listen to this show because is contains both elements of Baroque and Later Opera. I find Oliver, who is specialized in baroque, very refreshing to hear from.

Do you enjoy making the podcast? (I stream it as well) Do you want to let the 200 ppl down? Are you saying 200 ppl don't matter? It sounds like you don't want to do it anymore MIKE. So what is the DEAL!?

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJewls

Before this thread of comments leads to a critics of the host, you all should know that this show would not exist without the work and technical savvy of its producer Michael Rice.
I could never put together something as cohesive, funny, and polished with my meagre understanding of technology and my dearth-of rather than sense of humor.
Please let's just try to spread the word about this show, help it find its audience.

your humble co-host,

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterThe OC

Yikes!

May 22, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

I'm going to guess....
A) uhhhh... Alice Coote?
B) Marie-Nicole Lemieux
C) Joyce
D) vivica genaux ?

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterSara s.

Sara,

you scored 50%

good ear.

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterThe OC

Fuck Michael.

May 22, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

oliver - did i mess up on marie-nicole? i know karina gauvin has a recording of iris and that was who i thought it was at first... the lightly french canadian lilt to the diction. haha. i do not know my baroque contraltos! where are the other guesses? cmon people!

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered Commentersara_adelesop

Hi folks,

I offer the following for consideration:

If you want to maintain and grow a listener base, and increase subscriptions, you need to release shows regularly, with as little interruption as is possible (I know, easy for me to say). You're not there yet. You don't have to release the "show" as such, just offer something of interest. I'm sure that extended Oliver's Corner podcasts (or something by any of you) would be a welcome addition. Make those shows as long and deep as you want. I do appreciate that it's not that simple, but there you go. Alternatively, take Michael's suggestion of a monthly release on board if that's easier to maintain.

More variety; sorry Oliver but I do think that the focus in the last 12 months has been very Baroque-centric. There's a stack of other stuff that you can do as well. Mix it up.

Please don't clean up the show. In fact feel free to go the other way if appropriate. Be yourselves, that's why we listen.

I hope you'll take the above as constructive suggestions from someone who really does enjoy what you do. I would miss the show if you dropped it, but you're all putting the effort in, not me, so do what you think is best.

Regards

John

May 22, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJohn

Noooooooooooooo! Please don't go away! I only JUST discovered this, you can't stop now! I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard about this before, especially because you've been doing this for quite a while. Once I found out about it I immediately sent it to everyone I thought might be interested. I've been working my way back through old episodes, one week at a time, firstly because they are SO FUNNY and secondly because I feel like I'm learning a huge amount. I've been getting into opera more seriously for the past couple of years, but I'm not a singer or a musician, so hearing about all the little technical nuances, details and aspects of life as a singer are completely fascinating to me. It's really great to hear that perspective, because so much of what we usually hear about opera comes from conductors, critics and so on. Please don't cut down on the filth, that's one of the best bits! All the callbacks, the inside-inside-baseball jokes, the silly innuendos - it's all great. If Google Trends is anything to go by, interest in podcasts is still as strong as ever, so I don't know if the format is really the problem. I suppose you could try making videos instead, but I don't know if that's technically feasible for you. I agree with John's comment above that variety is great - while it's really interesting to hear about American opera houses, I live in the UK, so I'd be really glad to hear more about Covent Garden and others, if you're able to include it. More guest contributors would also be good! I feel that anyone who is relying on you as their sole source of opera news probably doesn't know how to use the internet properly - the important thing is not the news items themselves but the interesting opinions and discussions that you come up with in response to them. Anyway, those are just my random, disorganised thoughts. Pleeeeeeeeease don't stop doing the show! For people like me, who don't really know that many other people interested in opera, it's a bit of a lifeline.

(P.S. - Menuet alla Zoppa is a tempo indication from a Haydn symphony, not my name! :D )

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMenuet alla Zoppa

Oh and I forgot to mention MICHAEL'S THOMAS HAMPSON IMPRESSION IS THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD. I WOULD HAPPILY LISTEN TO A WHOLE PODCAST OF THAT ALONE. ALL CAPS BABY.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMenuet alla Zoppa

i haven't listened to the episode yet. what are these comments about ending the podcast? oh, no!

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterzach

I really don't think you should stop at 200. I love this podcast! I have told lots of my friends about it and will make sure that they listen. Its funny and I learn things. Please don't stop making episodes!!! Oliver don't let Michael give up on it because he will make lots of people sad. The only thing I could offer for improvement is that the names of the drop the needle singers were either given at the end of the show or in the next podcast. Searching for them in the comments on the episodes on the website is something I don't usually do because I listen to this podcast while on the go and not at the computer.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterem

The two I recognized right away are Stephanie Blythe and Joyce DiDonato. The other two I don't know their voices off the top of my head, but the last one is Vivica Genaux. After Marilyn Horne my favotire is Stephanie Blythe.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterzach

Please don't go away! Not only are you guys super funny, I find myself learning something new every show. I'm just a fan when it comes to opera, but you guys have given me a deeper appreciation for the genre. Thanks!

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterSara

So is the drop in your stats half your listeners on iTunes? Or half your listeners on ALL sources? Because it might not be a "you" thing, it might be an iTunes thing. I'd never go near iTunes myself, for example.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterSQLWitch

Can we talk for just one second about how young I am in this picture? Wow.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterDoug D.

This podcast is too good to discontinue. Judge whether or not to keep doing the podcast based on the quality rather than the number of listeners on i-tunes.

When Beethoven wrote his 3rd Symphony there were many who didn't "get it" at the time. But, later in the 19th century his symphonies became models for the romantic era.

Or take my favorite rock band Rush. In the late 80s a band like Poison was even more popular. But as time has passed, the quality of Rush has become recognized and the once "popular" band Poison is seen for the garbage they are.

Keep the podcast going and you will be legends one day..

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterGeddy Lee

I will listen to each show one thousand times. Then you will have the numbers you need.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered Commentermshields

I've been listening for the past 25 or so episodes. I found the podcast playing around on my iTunes and was pleasantly surprised to find people of a certain age (read: near to my own) discussing that which I love more than anything in the world... which is opera (read: cocks).

I have a long history as a fan of opera, as a marketer who has worked with national opera companies to boost their young audience engagement and education and I also have a history in radio (as an on-air personality who has hosted an opera program as well as worked in a talk radio format). I'm nobody famous but I'm someone who has two cents that might be valuable enough to your existential crisis.

You asked for feedback from your listenership so here is mine (and I just took my Ambien so prepare for this to be long-winded and messy):

1) Michael is fabulous. He's knowledgeable enough to serve as primary host/anchor (and humble enough to defer to his guests and co-hosts on topics he is less familiar with). His voice is sublime on the radio and he ravages my ears each week when I'm walking my dog through the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It is mellifluous yet authoritative and re-asserts command over the podcast when digressions get out of hand. I can't get enough of Michael and while it doesn't hurt that I find myself often agreeing with his opinions, he has that unique gift of conveying a controversial opinion while not alienating or condescending to his listeners. It's the kind of charisma that makes for a great on-air personality.

2) Doug (when he shows up... and believe me, the show suffers when he doesn't) is a great sidekick for Michael's straight man. He's funny, occasionally crass and just crass enough and he's (relatively) humble about his expertise which makes him accessible and trustworthy to the listener. He just simply makes me laugh.

3) It's been nearly 25 episodes and I only vaguely think I understand the format... which probably means the format needs a little spit-n-shine. If what you're aiming for is: News, Commentary, Educational/Interactive/Media Segment, Banter with a rare guest appearance thrown in... am I on the right track?

a) The theme music makes no sense to me. Yeah it's Herb Alpert but why and who cares. And the Maazel soundbite is fun once and it's just a bit tragic the 25th time.

b) Is your News/Commentary Segment called "Errata?" Is that what I've parsed after 25 or so episodes? If it is, in fact, called "Errata," could we please see that it is no longer called "Errata" because rarely have you corrected yourselves on the show and I can't for the life of me wonder why your news segment is titled this way. This is usually my favorite part of the broadcast cause it's filled with current affairs, stories I may have missed and your takes on them. This should be the centerpiece of your show and it should not be called "Errata." (Is my annoyance at the word "Errata" shining through?)

c) The exchange with Adam Fischer was great. As producers, you will find you'll have to work harder to reach out to get guests, quotes, statements and letters but it's worth it when you do. This kind of conflict between you (as self-installed arbiters of taste and good judgement) and outsiders is what makes a podcast interesting at all. You should have had him phone-in for a real proper debate of the "Abs" bullshit... or you should in the future because I can tell you that this argument has been and will continue to be the sad cornerstone of all discourse operatic. Embrace it, crystallize your thesis and run with it. Michael's rants on this subject are some of the most cogent, thoughtful and bracingly honest that I've heard in a while... KEEP THIS HOMEFIRE BURNING. (This also applies to the whole Pappano discussion of some months ago... you could have ran further with that)

d) We want to hear more about Jenny's exploits (when she's available) and Doug's tours. If you're going to have working musicians on the show, make a small amount of time where listeners can truly learn from singers who are trying to make it happen. What does a warm-up look like? What did Jenny wear to her first rehearsal of Agrippina? The comment about her having to cope with performers who phone it in dramatically during rehearsal and then magically come to life for performance... that was interesting!

4) Which brings me to the part of the podcast that I have found myself consistently fast forwarding through and what is, in my humble opinion, the weakest and most excruciating part of the podcast... and I'm sorry to say that is Oliver, "Oiiver's Corner" and all things Oliver-related. While I am confident that Oliver is a well-meaning, educated and thoughtful person, he is an absolute drain on the afore-mentioned charisma that Michael and Doug bring to the table. He's often times a beat behind and a dollar short on any meaningful punchlines and he brings an air of superciliousness and misplaced arrogance that turned me off from my very first listen. He's the nitpicky queen (which can often times be charming, funny or playful) that bemoans a missing accent aigu in the Wall Street Journal but straight up MISPRONOUNCES SHIT, MISREPRESENTS INFORMATION and MISPLACES VITAL INFORMATION on the regs during "Oliver's Corner!" I sometimes stop on the street during my walk (jarring my poor dog that I am walking ) and will shout into my iPad something to the effect of "SPEAK PROPER FRENCH OR AT LEAST TRY TO PRONOUNCE IT RIGHT IF YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO BE BRINGING PELLEAS UP INTO MY EARBUDS FOR 134 MINUTES FOR THREE WEEKS STRAIGHT!!!"

Oliver seems to be the type to speak first and damn the consequences whereas Michael is more of an "I don't know for sure but I think" or "I heard." It's a dangerous position for Oliver to be in because he runs the risk of a casual listener being turned off by some of his more sweeping pronouncements, platitudes or treatises on opera... because they're many times just straight up historically questionable... which brings me to my suicide hour in "Oliver's Corner."

a) Semele this time? For real? After suffering through the title music for this wayward segment (which is the most effective boner-killer by the way... just as the podcast is steaming up we get punched straight in the nuts when the title music for Droopy Dog's DJ "Do" for Dullards and Dilettantes derails anyone's train of thought and brings us to Semele. Sigh. Semele. Well, I guess I can get wet for Semele if I positively have to but if this educational segment is truly meant to serve a niche audience that knows and loves Handel and things Baroque... well, this could be interesting. But then Oliver proceeds to teach us about this mythical creature named Marilyn Horne who did some super crazy chesty shit and was the first ever to use coloratura in any of Handel's works... I mean, well maybe there were or maybe before recording was possible or maybe Oliver has NO IDEA what he's on about sometimes! Michael's contributions, however, to this god-awful segment bring interesting points and places from which a discussion could be had (Marilyn's "smarts" to ration her breath, modify her vowels)..... anyways I digress. I can not discern what the function of this segment is. Whatsoever.

Is "Oliver's Corner" a place for the hosts to speak personally and meaningfully about a certain recording? A certain artist? I'm happy to hear clips of Jackie Horne and hear what y'all have to say about them.

Is "Oliver's Corner" a place for the connoisseur to expand their understanding of Baroque opera? As someone who is well familiar with Semele and is happy to talk about something I am fairly fond of, I found myself asking... what are we talking about? What does this skeetshow have to offer me besides a listening party of contrasting performances of a single piece? (A listener ID game like this belongs ONLINE and should be used to boost visitor engagement and get people to the mesageboards. Parterre does a decent job with this game... and it's fun to do but not hidden in the middle of the stinky casserole that is this segment.

Is "Oliver's Corner" a place for newbies to "meet" a new opera? In a place that isn't scary or condescending... a place that is inviting and simplified enough to hit the listeners with the sexy bits? Hit 'em with the elevator speech version of the plot and bring us some music. But a newbie can't really handle occasional discussions on ornamentation or nuances.

"Oliver's Corner" is the perfect place to illustrate the fundamental problem with the podcast... and that is, who are your listeners? Who do you want to listen to your program? The casual listener? The screaming opera queen? The music snob? The aspiring singers? Industry insiders?

Your best hope (in my silly opinion) would be a proper re-boot of the program. A re-brand at least so that I never have to look at that ridiculous dude that looks like an aged creepy ex-boyfriend of mine eating a hero sandwich. Ick. Really? Class it up a bit or at least give me clean lines to work from. Some pithy new intro and interlude music (NOTHING ORIGINAL PLEASE) with clearly demarcated segments so that listeners can get back on track should a distraction come up.

First segment: In the news and commentary - the heart of your show. The "Hot Topics" of The View, Wendy WIlliams... pick your poison but be sure to TALKY SOME SHIT.

Second segment: Talk to a singer - short, sweet segment wherein Doug talks about a difficulty he has with auditioning, for example. Or maybe MIchael talking about a confusing direction choice from a regietheater douchebag like the Tannhauser they just SHUT DOWN in Berlin. Or this would be where the "abs" discussion should happen. Put an opposing voice on the phone. Talk your shit out.

Third Segment: Educational/Multimedia... make this MUCH shorter and tie it something your listeners can attend or participate in themselves. We need to get young patrons engaged. Hold their hands a bit more. Tickle them in this segment with a little pricktease from, for example, Eugene Onegin coming up at the Met and in Hi-Def. Tell the story quickly, play some excerpts to prime the listener's pump. Inject your commentary on Netrebko and Kwiechien and Beczala. Talk about some historic performances. Talk some trash (does the Met REALLY need a new Onegin when they have a gorgeous one that's like ten years old in the repertory). And then, MAYBE, tie in to an ID game here on the website. FIX THIS PART OF THE PROGRAM CUZ IT IS BROKEN TO FILTH AND DEATH.

Fourth Segment: Shit that's coming up that we wish we could see. LA Opera's debuting a new opera in their Taper Space... should be interesting (for example). If I could be in St Louis this month, I'd want to hear this young singer X sing in Y. Shit that you're enjoying that you think we might be enjoying. As arbiters, it is your responsbility.

And done. Make this a great monthly podcast instead of a slappy-assed weekly podcast. We can feel your very souls circling the drain when you do a poor job planning and prepping a show.

So I would recommend smothering this ailing baby so that a new baby may be born. Once you reconcile who your listeners should be then you can start to create a template geared towards that audience. Exploit your strengths (charisma, genuine love of opera and access to some inner workings) and excise your weaknesses (talky and tacky segments that are hard to follow, weird theme music choices, on-air personalities that just aren't getting it). Make Michael the centrepiece of the show and if Doug can't commit to participating on that monthly basis, look into a co-host that is just as funny, fruity and real talk. Oliver needs to go. Orrrrr.... because he is the one on-air who appears to actually ATTEND the most opera, he should do a call-in and talk about productions he's seen. To be fair, I don't mind his snootiness so much when he's reviewing a show. I think he's completely fucking wrong most of the time and I want to fart in his pillowcase when he dribbles out some of the nonsense he does (I mean, I've sat in shows he's been in and I wonder if there's a time wrinkle between our seating areas because we MUST be watching two very different casts) but that's the kind of angry I as a listener can get into. That's the kind of space where I believe Oliver can get away with his particular type of bloviating. Give him a soapbox for two minutes or so and then say bye bye.

I'd be sad if this podcast were to go away. I live off of podcasts and crave a podcast that is informative, salacious, infotaining and passionate about the greatest art form man has created. God knows there are so many of us who are each of those things about opera that one should be able to rather easily create this kind of broadcast.

All best,
C.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterC3PO

C3PO:

Thanks for the feedback. I truly appreciate the time taken to write. But in the future, don't do it on Ambien. You'll thank me in the morning.

-Michael

May 23, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

I'm off to order some patio furniture now for a patio I don't have. Thanks, Ambien.

May 23, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterC3PO

:)

I do thank you for listening and hope you continue. The great thing about this format is that it can be a conversation between producer and audience.

Perhaps I'll see you on the UWS with your dog. Feel free to say hello. Please. Nobody ever stops me. Unlike the other 2 pricks on the show. ;)

May 23, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

I download through iTunes subscription, I donate money even when I'm unemployed, and tell all my opera-interested friends to listen. I don't know what else to do to boost the number of listeners.

Oliver's Corner started as an educational service for young singers needing to add roles and learn the repertoire, didn't it? This raison d'être isn't repeated every time and maybe that confuses listeners who are not singers and want introductions to the operas as audience members (I'm in that group, except for the confusion part -- being a devoted follower since like episode 5).

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCraig

I appreciate everything that C3PO had to say, but disagree a bit. I like the informality of the show. If I want to listen to a nice, balanced, polished, edited radio show, I'd listen to wqxr's new(ish) Operavore radio show. I listened to it once or twice and found it terribly dry. I like how, when I turn on OperaNow, it has the feeling of sitting around a table with drinks, chatting with my friends about opera, opera singers, opera houses, the opera industry, etc. Michael, Jenny, Doug, and Oliver are just like my friends, only better informed about opera. Ha.

It seems to me, from the comments here and on Twitter, and from chatting with friends who I've turned on to the show, that there are two kinds of listeners to OperaNow: 1. Those who love Oliver's Corner and its in-depth, detailed exploration of this opera or that aria or whatever. And 2. Those who love the chatter, the rants, the dick jokes, and the discussion of opera and classical music current events. Those who like the first seem to get bored with the second and vice-versa.

I do agree with C3PO about the "errata" thing, though. Ever since I started listening to the show a couple years ago, I always found myself thinking (in the voice of Inigo Montoya), "You keep using this word? I do not think it means what you think it means."

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMolly

Oh C3PO - I'm sitting here at the kitchen table with Michael, who really wants to address your comment on the show, but I can't help myself. As you might know from the show, I argue with Oliver a lot, especially his criticisms of singers. However, I can tell you that his dedication to and love of this art form is probably one of the main reasons the podcast has continued all this time. Michael has had the impetus to stop the podcast many times for various reasons, and Oliver's dedication to the podcast and to opera in general is one of the main factors that keeps him going. And his "snobbery" genuinely comes from a place of adoration of the form and wanting it to be its absolute best. I might have thought some of the same things you are mentioning if I had only listened to a few episodes, but now that I know Oliver much better, I know that the show couldn't live or exist without him (and that's coming from someone married to the other host). So if you like the show, then you like Oliver, whether you like it or not. Sorry, pal, that's just the way it is.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJenny

As to errata/erratum/erotica, it has developed into a joke over the years. It began with Oliver correcting himself from the previous week to encompassing the opening comments.

May 24, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

You should totally start calling it erotica.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMolly

We used to.

May 24, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

Opinions are like assholes and I'm a big one, perhaps.

Passionate people and personalities evoke passionate responses and Oliver consistently rubs me the wrong way. I don't doubt his commitment to sparkle motion; I just can't stand the way he moves.

And perhaps barking at my iPod like I do is an effective form of listener engagement (it's worked for Howard Stern all these years) but I do maintain the right to press fast forward as soon as his segment comes on.

For what it's worth, I hated Ann Curry too.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterC3PO

Woooh Bloch Macbeth I LOVE IT! Only been able to find the french libretto/score, and my recordings are in french as well. I've always wanted to hear /read the score set to Shakespeare's English text.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAaron

It is hard for me to reply to the above listener's comment and maintain my dignity, let alone pronounce the words correctly. All of the listeners know intimate details of the hosts' lives, can attach our names to our facebook profiles, and can easily feel familiar with us without having met us. So Mr. 3P0's venom-laced tome, with its chapters devoted to eviscerating me, are taken very personally by this host; an ugliness and cowardliness that is too common with the anonymity of the internet - filthy rats that catch our eyes as they dart between garbage cans in the night, their teeth growing so fast that the only relief is to indiscriminately chew on anything that will relent - rotting food, little plastic bags full of dog feces and, alas, Ambien. While I may be guilty of slandering so many people in the opera community, I stand by everything I say and have the humility to admit when I have erred. God help me if something I have ever said on the podcast has offended a listener as much as this faceless commenter has offended me.


For those of you scanning for the answers to the Drop the Needle:

A) Stephanie Blythe

http://www.amazon.com/Semele-Aria-Iris-Hence-away/dp/B000TPLBRM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369411692&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=stephanie+blythe+hence+irei

B) Karina Gauvin

http://www.amazon.com/Semele-HWV-58-Act-Aria/dp/B0041NJXUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369411730&s=dmusic&sr=1-1

C) Joyce

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OBR7ZK/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk8

D) Vivica Genaux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnyNlsQt0o0&list=PL8193C92D1C2773E5

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterThe OC

Well at least he left an email. My attacker left none. One not even a name.

May 24, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

Attacker? Have I committed some kind of crime by logging on to a public forum for a public podcast wherein I left my opinion after the host of said podcast waxed dejectedly for the final 8 minutes of the last broadcast as to why nobody was listening anymore?

I don't know any of you personally. I stumbled upon the podcast as an opera fan, pure and simple. Oliver is a host that is happy to "slander" many in his community by his own admission yet he disintegrates when a trifling listener has the audacity to point out that he often makes mistakes and comes across as obnoxious and arrogant?

In your 6+ years of hosting this program, has nobody ever offered a criticism? If you're going to wear the mantle of an expert in anything and then have the nerve to broadcast publicly on a regular basis making pronouncements, then you're going to have to grow a thicker skin, I'm afraid.

And finally, if the host is going to take to personally attacking the few listeners he has left, then bonne chance, mes chers.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterC3PO

I'm not the biggest fan of the drop the needle stuff, but as a whole, I enjoy the OC and the Oliver's corner. Where else will you find someone who will take the time to prepare segments like that? Its got to take some time. And I think its great to have that balance between discussion on current news and some actual opera recordings witth some critical analysis hosted by someone really passionate about the subject.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterGeddy Lee

I've been around since Pavarotti died; I remember listening to that episode while heading out for run on a fitness kick that helped me lose 80 pounds. OperaNow was my gym companion through that process and has continued with me ever since. I feel like the whole crew are my dear old friends that I've never had the pleasure to actually meet, but I'd do just about anything to help any of them!

The show is delightfully imperfect. I love it all, even if I occasionally drift off during an extended Oliver's Corner. In fact, being able to do that makes it all the more dear.

Over the years Michael has considered quitting many times. There have been hiatuses. And we have always cheered each return. But who could blame you for calling it a run? I cannot imagine the energy and resources that have gone into creating this wonderful show. Frankly, it's been a beautiful gift.

Whatever happens, thanks SO MUCH Michael and Oliver (you are the workhorses) and Doug, Jenny, et al. for sharing OperaNow with us!

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterBrandon

I think the reason that C3PO comes across as so harsh and aggressive (even I am massively offended by his comments, and I'm "just" a fan) is that he appears to assume that he understands the Opera Now team, their mission, and their audience better than they do themselves. Of <I>course </I> that's offensive. And I think the opposite is actually true.

If you actually listen to Oliver's corner, you can't miss hearing that his original mission/mandate was to provide in-depth information for young people working in the opera world. Oliver's fusion of musicology and performance coaching is unique and nothing remotely like it is available anywhere else free of charge as far as I've been able to determine. Further, as a non-performing listener, I find what he offers consistently fascinating and it's left me better equipped to appreciate both repertoire and singers that I didn't really get until Oliver showed what the deal is! So the fact that Oliver exists and does what he does makes all of opera better for me. And I'm sure not just me.

Oh, and BTW peeps, I'm chatting you all up like crazy over on reddit. Wanna do an AMA?

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterSQLWitch

I'd hate for you to stop the show. It's introduced me as a music student to tonnes of new repertoire. Its made many a bus journey into college enjoyable. And Id miss you guys! If the show is becoming a bit of a chore or difficult to commit to with all your busy lives going on, then maybe a monthly podcast would be better. BUT DON'T GO!!!! And with all the criticism going on here don't take it to heart Oliver. I respect C3PO's opinions but he's clearly a bit of a knob.

P.S. Maybe nows the time to leak naked pictures of yourself Michael! Could boost the ratings! ;)

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCiaran

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
- Teddy Roosevelt

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMatt Boresi

This thread presents one of those rare opportunities where my nerd and geek categories cross paths:

"Wait. Oh my! What have you done? I'M BACKWARDS you filthy furball"
-C3PO

Hey Oliver! Hang in there pal. Y'all are doing the lord's work here. Don't let some fool shake you.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMatt Walsh

I was really hoping you were actually Geddy Lee.

May 24, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

Sorry man, he's just my favorite musician. I should have used a different handle name. I'm sure he would dig your podcast if he heard it.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterGeddy Lee

Don't let him hose you, Michael. That's the real Geddy Lee.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMatt Boresi

Oh come on! please don´t quit. I am recent listener and like other of your fans I am not a musician neither a singer. I just recently discover Opera too.

You once said in a recent episode that “Opera is an acquired taste”, in one way you guide us to acquire this taste. I feel you are helping us to appreciate a form of art that without the substantial exposure is not easy to enjoy. Also, the podcast is quite funny to listen. I live in Germany and English is not my mother tongue, even though if I don´t understand all the jokes I really enjoy the whole podcast.

Mostly all other podcasts about opera are quite boring, they tend to sound more like a dull lecture. OperaNow is authentic and give a fresh air to this business. I know that you can be sometimes cruel and make fun of people, most probably you will also laugh about this comment, but I’ll still keep listening to you anyway. I love your Podcast.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterGabs L.

1) I have listened to this show longer than almost any other, it would be a shame for it to end. I enjoy it specifically for the banter, asides, and jokes....if you quit OperaNow, please consider a new non-opera podcast. 60 minutes every other week or just shooting the shit.

2) I really hate when people bitch about things that are free. There was an episode a while back that I couldn't listen to more than 15 minutes of. Oh well, that week's episode of a free podcast wasn't a winner. I've skipped many an episode of This American Life and Smodcast as well. It happens.

3) To say the show should get rid of a founding host and completely reformat is basically saying: You know why this hot dog stand sucks? They don't have burritos.

4) A lot of times Oliver's Corner covers things that I don't care about (we have very different tastes in opera) - I don't complain about it or get angry, I just fast forward. Lots of people really enjoy it.

5) I was impressed to see Geddy Lee listens to your show and loves it enough to post about it but was disappointed when he used his comment to shill for his own band.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterchris

Are you Chris Martin?

May 24, 2013 | Registered CommenterMichael Rice

Brown.

May 24, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterchris

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