If you were to say "Figaro" three times in quick succession, I'm guessing most people would be able to sing it back to you as it is heard in Figaro's entrance aria, "Largo al factotum" in Rossini's The Barber of Seville. The opera has infiltrated popular culture from figure skating routines, to pasta commercials, and, of course, cartoons. It could be that The Barber of Seville was "pop culture" even when the play on which it was based premiered in 1775.

For this special edition of Front Row Center, we'll talk with everyday folks about what comes to mind when they hear the name "The Barber of Seville" (@ 3:50), then I share some information about Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, the playwright who seemed to have his pulse on the entire world (@9:30). After that I spoke with television, film, and theatrical hair and makeup artist Alfreda ("Fre") Howard about the importance of hair in society and working with hair of all types (@13:50). Finally, I was honored to speak with three legendary American interpreters of Rosina: Jennifer Larmore, Susanne Mentzer, and Frederica von Stade. They shared their thoughts on Rosina and pop culture, getting nervous before a performance, and what they like (or not) about getting their hair done (@20:50).

This episode is based on a video I created for Cincinnati Opera in the summer of 2020, the first summer of the COVID crisis. You can find the complete video, including interviews, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGpA5mRO_Jk&t=3s.

Don't forget to check out our Spotify Playlist for The Barber of Seville, which includes some of my favorite moments from the "giddy" score. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CbDF2gz53LqihhkcgKbBX?si=9205b4d83c174cbe

And, visit the episode poll on the Spotify episode homepage.

As always, you can always reach out to me through my website, www.michaeljbolton.com, or email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com.

Thanks for listening!

Donizetti's ebullient bel canto comedy, L'elisir d'amore, is rightfully one of the jewels in the canon with its amusing story, gorgeous melodies that come one after another, and one of the great operatic characters at its center, Nemorino.

We'll celebrate this opera by talking with sommelier Massimo Maietto (@6:25) about wine and which wines he would suggest as a love potion. Then, therapist Biany Perez (@20:00) discusses the games we play in relationships. After that celebrated American bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi (@35:22) shares his journey to buffo roles and the chiaroscuro nature in all of us. Finally, we'll talk with Giovanna Cavaliere (@46:17), the personal assistant and long-time friend of Luciano Pavarotti, the greatest Nemorino of the late 20th century.

Learn more about our guests on their websites!

• Biany Perez: www:bianyperez.com
• Patrick Carfizzi: www.patrickcarfizzi.com

Don't forget to check out our Spotify Playlist for L'elisir d'amore, which includes a little tribute to the great Italian soprano Renata Scotto. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JDZz1GnYBKtnlxcLaHZcd?si=e55d2f69473f4237

You can always reach out to me on my website, www.michaeljbolton.com, or email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com.

Step into the world of the demimonde with Verdi's masterpiece La Traviata. In digging into this opera, we’ll look at 19th-century courtesans and Marie Duplessis, the real-life courtesan who tangentially inspired La Traviata. That conversation is with Professor Andrew Lear. Violetta in the opera, famously dies from tuberculosis. I spoke with infectious disease expert Dr. P. J. Brennan about the disease. Then, horticulturist Karl Gercens of Longwood Gardens shares what makes the camellia, Violetta’s favorite flower, so special. Sex Worker Advocate Lola Davina talks about her journey as a sex worker and gives us a bit of a reality check on sex work in the 21st century. Finally, today’s reigning Violetta, having sung the role over 300 times, Ermonela Jaho is with us on Front Row Center.

There's also a La Traviata playlist for this podcast which you can check out at the Front Row Center Playlist.

To learn more about Mike, visit his website, michaeljbolton.com.

Finally, if you share the name Michael Bolton or know someone who does and might be interested in being interviewed for a new podcast, email me at mike@michaeljbolton.com.