What does it take to reimagine "Madame Butterfly" for today’s stage? Director Matthew Ozawa and mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen join us for a candid conversation about creativity, representation, and reshaping a classic from the inside out.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

If at first you don’t succeed, rewrite it four times—just ask Puccini. In this season’s final opera prelude, Jeff and Carol explore Madame Butterfly, from its rocky premiere to eventual triumph. They delve into the opera’s complex cultural backdrop, examine its literary roots, and confront the tension between the troubling elements within its story…

Mysterious cloaked figures, thoughts of poisoning, and genius cut off at its prime...the lore surrounding Mozart's Requiem, unfinished at his untimely demise, is substantial, but the truth is even more compelling. Jeff and Carol, joined by special guest Utah Symphony Chorus director Austin McWilliams, dive deep to uncover the real story behind the …

Jeff and Carol invite musicologist Catherine Mayes to help unpack the thorny topic of exoticism and colonialism in Western Music. This is part one of a three-episode introduction to Utah Opera's upcoming production of Puccini's Madame Butterfly.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

You've heard the aria and you've seen the iconic sad commedia clown face. Now join Jeff and Carol as they look beyond the greasepaint into the bleeding heart of Ruggero Leoncavallo's visceral opera.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

This week Jeff and Carol sit down with Utah Symphony's Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer to talk about his upcoming Mahler mini-festival. Thierry also catches us up on his life since leaving Salt Lake City (hint: busy and fulfilling), his passion projects, and his new role of grandfather!By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

From riots to radicalism to Disney and dinosaurs, Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" blasted on the classical music scene in May of 1913 and has been captivating audiences ever since. In one of their Deep Dives, Jeff and Carol talk about the man behind the music, the stories around the premiere, and the music that still sounds modern mor…

Though there is a children’s chorus, a children’s ballet, and adults playing children, "Hansel and Gretel" is much more than a children’s opera. In preparation for Utah Opera’s presentation of this beloved fairytale, Jeff and Carol talk about the opera’s backstory and why it’s one of the more underrated and sophisticated scores of the late nineteen…

For over 50 years, John Williams has delighted millions of listeners with his epic film music. Compositionally sophisticated and melodically inventive, his more than one hundred cinematic scores are masterpieces of virtuosic story-telling. In one of their patented Deep Dives™️, film score devotees Jeff and Carol talk about John Williams' life and a…

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian and his wife, Peri, founded the church in 1981. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, Unc…

From Salsa to Symphony—get to know newly appointed Utah Symphony Assistant Conductor Jessica Rivero Altarriba. The Ghostlight Team welcomes Maestra Altarriba to Utah and learns about her path to the podium. With a joyful commitment to audience engagement and a vision for the future of symphonic programming, she's a vibrant addition to our organizat…

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background information about the upcoming Utah Symphony performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. For tickets to Utah Symphony's November 2024 performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, visit: https://utahsymphony.org/event/id/33379By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Wayne Bridegroom grew up on a farm milking cows in Central California and ended up as a Baptist pastor in Modesto where he experienced working with Laotian, Hmong, Cambodian, and Hispanic, peoples starting and pastoring churches in each of these nationalities as well as working with the African American churches -- all in the humble town of Modesto…

The Ghost Light team sits down with Leslie Peterson (Vice President of Development, USUO) to discuss arts funding in America. She shares insights from her experiences at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and the organization's support for the local Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) program in Salt Lake County.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson share background and behind-the-scenes information about the upcoming Utah Opera production of Sondeim’s Sweeney Todd.In short, Sweeney Todd is a vengeance story in the vein of so many of the tragedies Utah Opera has staged in recent years. Although there is a high body count in this production, it’s about more than j…

The Ghost Light team sits down with Maestro John DeMain (Music Director, Madison Symphony) to discuss the intersection of Opera and Musical Theater. He shares insights from his experiences conducting Houston Grand Opera, his conversations with Stephen Sondheim regarding Sweeney Todd, and what subject he would like to see be made into an opera.To ge…

Randall Balmer is the John Phillips Professor in Religion at Dartmouth College. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Evangelicalism in America, Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, which is now in its fifth edition and has been made into an awar…

Randall Balmer is the John Phillips Professor in Religion at Dartmouth College. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Evangelicalism in America, Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, which is now in its fifth edition and has been made into an awar…

Doug Stevens is a pastor who has served churches in California, Arizona, Kansas and Texas, and a mentor who comes alongside congregations and non-profits across the country to encourage, challenge and strengthen leaders. He is a catalyst for experiential learning, relational healing and intercultural engagement. Doug is a graduate of Cal Berkeley a…

Robbie Goldman is the Emotional and Spiritual Formation Director at Dry Bones Denver a miiinistry to homeless teenagers on the streets of downtown Denver. He is married to Karen they have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Robbie has served in full time ministry for 28 years. For more information on Robbie and Dry Bones Denver, go to www.drybone…

Dan Russell, music producer, consert promoter, singer/songwriter, and stroke survivor. Don't miss his unique perspective on life.By The Catch with John Fischer

Co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson sit down to discuss Scheherazade, Utah Symphony’s May performance featuring both Rimsky-Korsakov's famous orchestral suite as well as Ravel’s lesser-known Shéhérazade (a lovely song cycle originally inspired by Rimsky-Korsakov's version sung by Utah Opera Favorite Wendy Bryn Harmer).These two evening concerts…

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Massenet's "Thaïs." Giving you a behind the curtain look into this grandiose production, what to expect, and the history of Massenet's timeless work.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Rob Stutzman is a Catch board member and former Republican consultant for Arnold Schwarzenegger and other California politicians. An often quoted pundit, Rob operates his own Public Relations firm in Sacramento, CA.By The Catch with John Fischer

Gary Flory, 67, was saved in May of 1981, while watching the 700 Club. He worked at WCVO Christian Station in Columbus, Ohio from 1984-1989 where he co-hosted a show called the Final Flight Christian Rock Show. He’s still hosting Final Flight Radio on Mixcloud on internet radio. Gary is also co-Pastor of Chapel of Rest in Columbus. Gary is married …

The Ghost Light Podcast sits down with guitarist Gretchen Menn and USUO VP of Education and Community Outreach Ben Kipp to discuss the upcoming Guitar Celebrations Festival featuring Another Night On Earth guitar ensemble with the Utah Symphony.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Dr. David E. Fischer graduated from Stanford University with a BA degree in philosophy and went on to graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and Princeton Seminary. Dr. Fischer founded Living Word Bible College in Southern California in 1971. He wrote curricula for 15 courses, including many chapter by chapter Bible book studies, and was a…

A pioneer in Jesus Music of the late '60s, early 70s, Paul has stayed true to the gospel message and his own prophetic voice. Paul has a real sense of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the world and how we can be prepared to know God’s will for today and tomorrow. Paul has completed 20 solo recording projects, written over 700 songs, produced record…

Doug Stevens is a pastor who has served churches in California, Arizona, Kansas and Texas, and a mentor who comes alongside congregations and non-profits across the country to encourage, challenge and strengthen leaders. He is a catalyst for experiential learning, relational healing and intercultural engagement. Doug is a graduate of Cal Berkeley a…

Dave Horner is Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. This episode we speak to Dave about his chapel talk today about "Extending Grace," Dave's way of saying Grace Turned Outward.By The Catch with John Fischer

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."They discuss why this opera is among the most performed operas worldwide, what to expect with THIS production, and the history of Mozart's timeless work.By Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Dave Horner is Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology.By The Catch with John Fischer

One of our most insightful writers on American religion, Randall Balmer, trains his focus on that other great passion—team sports—to reveal their surprising connections. Balmer explores the origins and histories of big-time sports from the late nineteenth century to the present, with entertaining anecdotes and fresh insights into their ties to reli…