BRAVO! CLUB Opera Podcast

Welcome to the BRAVO! CLUB opera podcast page.   Make this your first stop for online educational information for the BRAVO! CLUB.  In order to enjoy an opera to its fullest, it helps to understand the plot and know as much as possible about the opera before going.  You can also view highlights from select past events.

BRAVO! CLUB Gala News - Opening Night
Coverage of the 2009 San Francisco Opera Opening Night Gala

Check out the hottest in fashion and entertainment at one of the top black tie events in the country, the 2009 San Francisco Opera Opening Night Gala (September 11, 2009). A veritable who's who of the West Coast, interviews include Former Secretary of State George Shultz, Former Mayor Willie Brown, Nicola Luisotti (SF Opera music director), Dimitri Hvorostovsky (baritone), Susan Graham (Mezzo Soprano), David Gockley (General Director), Melissa Boxer (Bravo! Club President), Alexandra Siliezar (Barvo! Gala co-chair), Marie Carr (Bravo! Gala co-chair). Interviews by John Houghton of MobileCast Media.

International Opera Star Susan Graham in Conversation
Grammy Award-Winning Singer Interviewed by David Gockley, San Francisco Opera General Director

Grammy Award-winning international opera star Susan Graham is interviewed by David Gockley, San Francisco Opera general director, at the 2007 BRAVO! CLUB Luminary Dinner. Listen to this lively and insightful conversation as Susan discusses her upbringing in Texas, musical influences, early career at the Santa Fe Opera, subsequent graduation to bigger roles, and aspirations for future roles. Susan sings the title role in Ariodante in the San Francisco Opera 2008 Summer Season. Special thanks to John Houghton of MobileCast Media, www.mobilecastmedia.com for producing this podcast.

BRAVO! CLUB Sneak Peek: Preview of the 2007 - 2008 Season
David Gockley, General Director of San Francisco Opera

Be one of the first to learn what's in store for San Francisco Opera's exciting 2007 - 2008 Season and hear it directly from the source on this podcast.  David Gockley speaks about his plans for the Season and his thoughts for the future of San Francisco Opera.  Also hear from Ginny Cartwright-Ziegler about upcoming events for San Francisco Opera's BRAVO! CLUB.  Special thanks to MobileCast Media for producing this podcast.

VIDEO: BRAVO! CLUB Fashion Event
Coverage of the Macy's Impulse Event and BRAVO! Overview

Did you miss the recent BRAVO! CLUB Macy's Impulse fashion event? Well now
you can see it online as a Video Podcast. If you have never been to a
BRAVO! event, this online video gives you a feel for the BRAVO! CLUB and its
mission, plus a look at this season's hottest fashions, complete with runway
show and model interviews!  Special thanks to John Houghton and MobileCast Media
for producing this video.

Fashion Event Video

Click to View Video (Best - PC and Mac - Flash 8)
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December 5, 2006 (5 Minutes, 28MB) (How do I view it?)

BRAVO! CLUB Preview of A Masked Ball
Clifford Cranna and John Houghton

Dr. Clifford (Kip) Cranna of the San Francisco Opera is interviewed by John Houghton of the BRAVO! CLUB in a preview of A Masked Ball, by Giuseppe Verdi.  In this podcast you can hear a discussion of the plot, the original story upon which the opera is based, casting and production, the literary form of tragedy, Venetian costume parties, and what to expect on opening night.  Read Dr. Cranna’s biography below.

BRAVO! 101: Behind-the-scenes at the Opera
Sara Jobin

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what's involved in bringing opera to life.  For many of us, Opera begins when the curtain rises.  The truth is, by that time, months and years of preparation have gone into creating the magic we see on stage.  In this podcast, Sara Jobin describes how an opera comes to life through the rehearsal and production process.  Read Ms. Jobin’s biography below.
 

Speaker Biographies

About Clifford Cranna
Dr. Clifford (Kip) Cranna is the Musical Administrator of the San Francisco Opera, where he has been a member of the administrative staff since 1979.  He received his undergraduate degree in choral conducting at the University of North Dakota, and his Ph.D. degree in musicology at Stanford University.

He often serves as a speaker or moderator for programs presented by the San Francisco Opera and the Opera Center, and is a regular host of the Opera Insights presented by the Opera Guild. He teaches courses on opera at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has taught on-line courses for Opera America. He has served as radio host for the San Francisco Opera broadcasts, and has worked as a Study Leader for Smithsonian Study Tours.
 

About Sara Jobin

Sara Jobin made history in 2004 as the first woman to conduct on the mainstage subscription series at San Francisco Opera. She conducted performances of Puccini’s Tosca with Carol Vaness in the title role and Wagner’s Flying Dutchman with Juha Uusitalo and Nina Stemme; the following season she conducted multiple performances of Bellini’s Norma. Not one to fit neatly into categories, Sara Jobin has a black belt in judo, and has been a national and international champion in kata competition. She augments her classical music training by singing in the gospel choir at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.

San Francisco Opera Podcast is produced in association with MobileCast Media.  For more information, please visit http://www.mobilecastmedia.com.