The OperaWire Podcast

On the our new episode, Katie Spencer speaks with David and Francisco about her new company Greenroom and how opera companies can better their fundraising, marketing and retention of audiences.

Francesca Zambello speaks to David and Francisco about the Washington National Opera's new season and its new era after leaving the Kennedy Center.

New Season:

Madama Butterfly (Puccini) – DAR Constitution Hall

Nixon in China (John Adams) – DAR Constitution Hall

We the People (Special Concert) – DAR Constitution Hall

Odyssey (Family-friendly opera inspired by Percy Jackson by Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke)

O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky (World premiere ballet-opera with music by Christopher Tin) – Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company

American Opera Initiative (WOLF | LAMBS) (Composer JL Marlor and librettist Clare Bierman) – Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale (Puccini) - Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company

La traviata (Verdi) - Music Center at Strathmore

Following his open letter, Andrew Potter speaks with David and Francisco about his decision to leave staged opera and the impact it has made on the industry. He also speaks about AI and why he believes it can be a useful tool.

Read the full letter: https://operawire.com/editorial-why-im-retiring-from-staged-opera-at-43/

David Lomelí Speaks with David and Francisco about managing the Dallas Opera, the future opera and how can the opera industry use AI.

Denyce Graves Joins David and Francisco Salazar to discuss The Denyce Grave Foundation and its roots. She also delves into her experience as a director and what it meant to retire from the stage.

David and Francisco Salazar speak about the highlights of the 2025-26 season and what their favorite performances were.

What is it like to raise a child in the opera industry while traveling around the world? Dr. Rachel Copeland & Scott Skiba join Francisco Salazar and Afton Markay for a discussion about the ins and outs of having a family while directing and singing opera.

David and Francisco Salazar speak to tenor Jack Swanson about his new venture Vocalise and vocal health. Swanson also reminisces about "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" and his recent millstone. He also delves into Fatherhood and raising a child as an Opera Singer.

Johnathan McCullough joins David and Francisco Salazar on the OperaWire Podcast to speak about the acclaimed National Youth Opera Academy and his balancing his career as a singer, director and program director.

On this episode of the OperaWire Podcast, David and Francisco speak about the Metropolitan Opera's financial crisis, the opera gala, and the Saudi deal. They also speak about the Teatro La Fenice's conductor crisis.

David and Francisco Salazar speak to filmmakers Christine La Monte and Yvonne Russo, the team behind the Oscar nominated film "Viva Verdi!"

David and Francisco Salazar summarize the Oscars and how opera became a central part of the evening and give their final thoughts on Timothée Chalamet's controversial comments. They also talk about Tristan und Isolde at the Met.

David and Francisco Salazar discuss Timothée Chalamet's comments on opera and the response to it. They also response to how opera and film have been intertwined for many years. Additionally, they discuss the Oscars and the fact that "Viva Verdi!'s" song will not be performed.

Francisco Salazar and Afton Markay speak with Primo Artists' Katy Salomon about the best strategies for winning the Grammy and the best practices for a successful campaign.

On this episode of the OperaWire Podcast, Alan Pierson joins the Salazars to talk about the Grammys, Lady Gaga, how he fell in love with contemporary music and opera and the importance of recordings.

On this episode, David and Francisco Salazar discuss the Metropolitan Opera's financial crisis. Plus we discuss the Oscar nominated song from "Viva Verdi!," "Heated Rivalry's" connection to opera and our experiences with "Tristan und Isolde"

Brian Jagde joins the Salazars for an in depth conversation on the industry, singing Verdi's Otello and his upcoming role debut as Lohengrin.

David and Francisco are joined by OperaWire writers Afton Markay and Jennifer Pyron to look at their operatic highlights of 2025.

On this episode, we discuss the Metropolitan Opera's announcement of "The Last Ship" by Sting, Denyce Graves' farewell performance, and the continuing drama at the Kennedy Center.

We also discuss our favorite recordings of Andrea Chenier.

David and Francisco Salazar discuss the new season and the controversies surrounding the music director at the Teatro La Fenice and the Met Opera's new Saudi Deal.