Episode 24

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Published on:

24th Jan 2022

Shake the Culture (w/Ari Fulton, Joseph Li & Maria Todaro)

G'day, Scorekeepers! So... this weekend is an incredibly special and exciting one for us, because MN Opera is producing a live opera on our mainstage for the first time in almost two years! And which opera, you ask? The Anonymous Lover by Joseph Bologne (aka Chevalier de Saint-Georges), the first mainstage opera by a Black composer in MN Opera's nearly 60 years history! But who was Joseph Bologne and why isn't he more well-known? Well, fear not, because for our next 3 episodes, we're having a Bologne-a-Palooza! We're devoting the next few shows to learning more about Bologne, his fascinating life, and his incredible music. And you know we'll be joined by all sorts of special guests, so get excited! On this week's show, it's all about The Anonymous Lover. First up, we're joined by Maria Todaro, director of MN Opera's The Anonymous Lover, and Joseph Li, MN Opera's new Vice President, Artistic, to give us an inside look at this brand new production and to chat about what Bologne's life and legacy mean to them (0:26:46). Then, we're joined by The Anonymous Lover's costume designer, Ari Fulton. She gives us her heartfelt insight into designing her very first opera, what inspires her craft, and how the earth-shaking events of the past few years have affected her as a Black creator (1:00:31). And, of course, we'll end as always with a moment of Pure Black Joy, featuring Abbott Elementary and British Vogue (1:32:21). Let's do it to it, y'all!

Hosts: Lee Bynum, Frankie Charles, Rocky Jones, Paige Reynolds

Guests: Ari Fulton, Joseph Li, Maria Todaro

Links

MN Opera's The Anonymous Lover (Learn More) (Buy Tickets)

Ari Fulton (Website) (Instagram)

New episodes of THE SCORE drop every other Monday. If you like what you hear, please support us and SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favorite podcast app and be sure to SHARE our show with your friends. Also, leaving a 5-star REVIEW on Apple Podcasts is a great way to help get the word out. For more info about the exciting EDI work happening at MN Opera, please visit mnopera.org/edi. Email your questions or comments to thescore@mnopera.org

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About the Podcast

The Score
News and commentary about opera, classical music, and pop culture seen through an antiracist and anti-oppressive lens
It's time to put opera on game! Hosts Lee Bynum, Paige Reynolds, and Rocky Jones are three Black and queer artists, pop culture aficionados, and arts administrators at Minnesota Opera, who are working every day to bring more diversity, equity, and inclusivity into opera and classical music. The Score is their provocative, thoughtful, and humorous commentary on the industry's past, present, and future, as seen through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens. Each episode features a variety of stories from a variety of perspectives that bring People of the Global Majority, queer, trans and nonbinary folks, and everyone else into the discussion of ownership over and access to the art form. From the opera house to the statehouse to your house, each episode will amplify the voices of those in the field who are pushing the boundaries of what opera is, who it is for, and how it can transform us and our communities. New episodes come out every other Wednesday!