The Everything Will Be Okay Podcast

A big-topic chat with Anne Midgette, folks! For this episode, host Jenna Simeonov chats with the writer and critic with one of the most influential voices in today's music journalism. A little COVID closures, a little #metoo, a little opera racism... did I mention big topics?

Oh, and please forgive the audio on Jenna's end. The conversation was too good to sacrifice to technology goblins.

Original music by @natedouglasband.

Original artwork by @danikalorenart.

Tunisian-born, Montréalaise mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb is one of those hustlers of the opera industry. That is, until it all hit the pause button. Jenna chats with Rihab - they're friends IRL, by the way - about apartment shopping in a pandemic, the cancelled gigs that hurt the most, and how her outbreak of Strauss-induced hives paved the way for Jenna's writing career.

Original music by @natedouglasband

Original artwork by @danikalorenart

In a special episode of the pod, host Jenna Simeonov chats with two women of the thrilling production company, Beth Morrison Projects. Executive Director Jecca Barry and President/Creative Producer Beth Morrison talk about what it means to produce riveting, relevant opera - global health crisis or not. During the first chaotic weeks of the pandemic, BMP was a leader in producing online content, offering up video of some of their most acclaimed productions, as well as some innovative-as-hell original content. So, why aren't all opera companies doing the same thing? Let's discuss.

Original music by @natedouglasband.

Original artwork by @danikalorenart.

Bryan Register is a between-gigs American Heldentenor, currently stressed out by the fact that he's in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the beaches are open. Jenna has a reunion of sorts in this chat, remembering the last time she spoke with Bryan, in his utterly fabulous flat in North London, back in the simpler, pre-Brexit, pre-Trump times. Bryan chats about getting kicked out of the Czech Republic, Wagner's love potions, and *actual* puppy love.

Original music by @natedouglasband.

Original artwork by @danikalorenart.

Othalie Graham is a total force. The Canadian soprano is known for big, grand roles like Turandot, Minnie, and Aida, and she carries an almost operatic type of wisdom in her interviews. Othalie was one of Jenna's first major interviews for Schmopera, and in the time since they last spoke, it feels as though the world - let alone the opera industry - has cracked open, for better or for worse.

Erin Morley, when she's not firing high notes into the world's major opera houses, soaks up her chances for home life with her family in New Haven, CT. Her current hiatus from the stage isn't exactly voluntary, and she's actually dealing with some weird guilt over enjoying her new, slowed-down pace. She spoke with host Jenna Simeonov about the Met, mom life, and - in a surprise callback - Pollyanna.

Plus: a bonus appearance by the tiniest friend of the podcast, Alex.

A chat with Paul Curran is a beautiful thing. From his base in San Francisco, Jenna chats with the Scottish opera director about why opera on screens sucks, how he's ruining TV wigs for his husband, and why culture is *actually* essential.

Original music by @natedouglasband.

Original artwork by @danikalorenart.

Isaiah Bell is one-of-a-kind. Tenor, composer, one-man-show creator, writer of artisanal haiku, this guy doesn't stop. Jenna spoke with Isaiah from his base in Victoria, B.C., about how he is just loving lockdown life. He's got yet another project on the go, and a fresh new mic that arrived in time for this chat, and a subliminal love for the darkly hopeful story of Pollyanna.

Marshall Pynkoski is a director, dancer, Order of Canada, and Co-Artistic Director of Opera Atelier, which he founded in 1985 with his partner, Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg. He's also a total theatre animal, with a rare passion for opera, music, and theatre of the 17th and 18th centuries. His style is unmistakable, his pride in his work unflappable - and people like that are totally fascinating. Jenna spoke with Marshall a few weeks after Opera Atelier's spring production was cancelled, when his emotions still smarted.

Original music: @natedouglasband

Original artwork: @danikalorenart

Barbara Hannigan, everyone. Soprano, conductor, mentor, Order of Canada, and reigning queen of new and contemporary music. We spoke during the early weeks of the pandemic, from her strict lockdown in rural France. 

Original music: @natedouglasband

Original artwork: @danikalorenart

This podcast is a Schmopera production, created by Jenna Simeonov.

It's always a treat to chat with American soprano Christine Goerke! She's known for front-and-centre roles like Brünnhilde in Wagner's Ring Cycle, and the title roles in Tristan und Isolde, Puccini's Turandot and Strauss' Elektra. But she's also a sci-fi freak, a proud mama, and a real human being with real ups and downs. Christine spoke with Jenna from her home in New Jersey. 

Original music by Nate Douglas (@natedouglasband)

Original artwork by Danika Lorèn (@danikalorenart)

This podcast is a Schmopera production, created by Jenna Simeonov.

Guys, Everything Will Be Okay. It's just a pandemic that has closed the entire performing arts industry.

Jenna Simeonov, creator of Schmopera and host of The Everything Will Be Okay Podcast, is checking in with out-of-work artists. Cancelled gigs & online opera are apparently the new normal, and singers just can't help speaking moistly. 

So, what can the arts can actually do to help a world in crisis? And will everything be okay?