Best Opera North Podcasts (2025)

1
The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas on the “cult” that tried to brainwash her 17:43

2h ago17:43

17:43

On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. With Season 4 of “The Bear” out now, we revisit Liza’s conversation with Tom Power about the scarcity and struggle she ha…

1
How The Young and the Restless led to more Black women becoming doctors 34:29

2h ago34:29

34:29

Canadian actor Tonya Williams spent two decades playing Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” which made her one of the first Black actors to star on a soap opera. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival, which champions diverse Canadian talent in the TV and film industry. Now, she’s been named an Officer of the Order of Cana…

1
Classic Stories: Red Riding Hood 4:39

1d ago4:39

4:39

Enjoy a classic story in English and learn 9 uses of 'cut' - in 5 minutes. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS?Try some of our other popular podcasts including:✔️ 6 Minute English✔️ Learning English from the News✔️ Learning…

1
For George Takei, coming out has been a lifelong process 32:32

3d ago32:32

32:32

George Takei is one of America’s most beloved actors and activists, known best for playing Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” franchise. In 2019, he released a graphic memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” which detailed his childhood experience at internment camps during the Second World War. Now, he’s released a follow-up book, “It Rhymes with Takei.” The …

1
Review: RSC's The Constant Wife 42:31

5h ago42:31

42:31

Tom is joined by reviewers Kate Maltby and Stephanie Merritt to discuss Laura Wade's adaptation for the RSC of Somerset Maugham's comedy The Constant Wife. Also Wendy Erskine's Belfast -set novel; The Benefactors. A polyphonic telling of a teenage girl's assault and its aftermath. And Rebecca Lenkiewicz's directorial debut Hot Milk. Based on Debora…

1
Phil Rosenthal is the luckiest person in the world 32:49

5h ago32:49

32:49

Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. But after the show wrapped in 2005, it took nearly 10 years for him to get his next dream project off the ground. Now, Phil’s food and travel show “Somebody Feed Phil” is in its eighth season on Netflix. He join…

1
This post-apocalyptic thriller is a love letter to the director’s mom 20:46

1d ago20:46

20:46

In R.T. Thorne's directorial debut, “40 Acres,” the Canadian filmmaker imagines a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce, society is in ruins and your family is under threat. It’s an intense movie about fighting for survival, but it also explores the complicated relationship between a mother and a son. R.T. joins Tom Power to share how his mot…

1
Reaction to the Sean 'Diddy' Combs court case verdicts, and Back to the Future at 40 42:39

1d ago42:39

42:39

As the jury in the trial of music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs delivers its verdicts, author and cultural critic Mikki Kendall discusses how Americans will react. On the eve of the 40th anniversary of its release, The Independent's chief film critic Clarisse Loughrey and Dan O'Brien of the University of Essex discuss Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's infl…

1
Why Stephan James is “at risk of being great” 41:15

2d ago41:15

41:15

Born and raised in Scarborough, actor Stephan James has defied the odds and climbed the ranks in Hollywood. He’s made a name for himself by playing major historical figures like runner Jesse Owens in “Race,” and civil rights activist John Lewis in Ava DuVernay’s film “Selma.” After working with legends like Julia Roberts and Laurence Fishburne, Ste…

1
Tim Key on his sleeper hit The Ballad of Wallis Island 42:34

2d ago42:34

42:34

Comedian and poet Tim Key on writing and starring in The Ballad of Wallis Island which has become one of the surprise film hits of the year. Novelists Saima Mir and Marcia Hutchinson on setting their stories in Bradford. Playwright Ntombizodwa Nyoni on reimagining the 5th Pan African Congress which took place in Manchester in 1945 for her new play,…

1
2025 Nebula winner and nominees - the best fantasy books of the year? 33:11

6d ago33:11

33:11

In addition to ranking all the nominees, we talk about why the entire shortlist this year was all fantasy, no sci-fi. This episode is sponsored by The Boy, the Cube, and the Elf by Brent Golembiewski, which is available in print or kindle edition here Join the Hugonauts book club on discord Or you can watch the episode on YouTube if you prefer vide…

1
How Jully Black uses her singing “superpower” to advocate for others 24:53

3d ago24:53

24:53

Jully Black is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from Toronto who’s often called Canada's queen of R&B soul. Earlier this year, Jully sat down with Tom Power to tell us how singing in church at age six put her on her artistic path, why she feels speaking out is always the right thing to do, and why her mother is her biggest influence.…

1
Don’t call Jan Lisiecki a child prodigy 20:39

3d ago20:39

20:39

Calgary’s Jan Lisiecki was only nine when made his orchestral debut as a classical pianist. While most of us were still figuring out cursive, he was playing sold-out recitals — so, of course, he was called a child prodigy. But Jan has complicated feelings about that term. A few months ago, he joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about his new …

1
Tonya Williams on Activism, Acting, and Changing Canadian Film Forever 7:34

7d ago7:34

7:34

She’s a soap icon and a changemaker. Tonya Williams joins Janette to reveal how she went from Young & the Restless to revolutionizing Canadian film with Reelworld. In this powerful episode of Janette’s TV Podcast, Janette chats with legendary actress, producer, and activist Tonya Williams. Best known for her groundbreaking role as Dr. Olivia Barber…

1
Teaser- Tonya Williams on Activism, Acting, and Changing Canadian Film Forever 0:47

7d ago0:47

0:47

Support the show Sign up to become a member of Janette's TV Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@JanettesTV/videosBy Janette Burke

1
Jurassic World Rebirth director Gareth Edwards 42:26

4d ago42:26

42:26

British director Gareth Edwards talks to Samira Ahmed about how his love of the films of Steven Spielberg inspired his new film Jurassic Park Rebirth, the latest chapter in the blockbuster dinosaur film franchise. He also talks about the making of his film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is gaining even more acclaim after the huge success of th…

1
How Sorry, Baby takes a nuanced look at sexual assault 25:55

4d ago25:55

25:55

In just under five years, Eva Victor went from being a viral video comedian to writing, directing and starring in their own feature film, “Sorry, Baby.” The film tells the story of Agnes, a grad school student turned professor whose life was altered by an incident they refer to as “the bad thing.” What follows is a sensitive, fraught and often funn…

1
Stephen Graham Jones is reinventing the vampire 28:15

4d ago28:15

28:15

According to bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones, good stories don’t happen in heaven — they happen in hell. His latest novel, “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” is a chilling historical vampire story based on real events that happened to the Blackfeet Nation in the United States. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the metapho…

1
Weekend Listen: Ocean Vuong finds beauty in a fast food shift 37:22

6d ago37:22

37:22

Long before he became a bestselling writer, Ocean Vuong sold rotisserie chickens at Boston Market. In his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, he explores the meaning that can be found in the daily grind of a fast food restaurant. The book follows a young addict named Hai as he unexpectedly becomes caretaker to an elderly woman and makes unlikely…

1
Jerry Bruckheimer knows how to build a summer blockbuster 15:50

8d ago15:50

15:50

Jerry Bruckheimer is the Hollywood producer behind some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, including “Top Gun,” “Armageddon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Now, he’s back with “F1,” which stars Brad Pitt as an aging Formula One driver who attempts to make a comeback 30 years after his career is derailed by an accident. Jerry joins guest host…

1
U.S. Girls' Meg Remy is finally rooting for herself 26:12

8d ago26:12

26:12

American musician Meg Remy, the creative force behind the Toronto-based experimental pop project U.S. Girls, is back with a new record, “Scratch It.” She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the process of recording the album live to tape in a Nashville studio, and why she says this is her first album to come from a place of love and…

1
Classic Stories: The Hound of the Baskervilles 4:42

10d ago4:42

4:42

Enjoy a classic story in English and learn 9 uses of 'dead' - in 5 minutes. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ L…

1
Review Programme: Van Gogh and Anselm Kiefer 42:25

8d ago42:25

42:25

Charlotte Mullins and Katja Hoyer are with Tom Sutcliffe to review The Royal Academy of Arts' Kiefer/Van Gogh exhibition, Nell Stevens novel The Original, and German language film From Hilde, with Love. And Sarfraz Manzoor is on to discuss a new Bruce Springsteen compilation – Tracks II: The Lost Albums Presenter: Tom SutcliffeProducer: Claire Bart…

1
Anar Ali quit her corporate job and created a hit cop drama 25:15

9d ago25:15

25:15

Anar Ali was working as a business development executive at Procter & Gamble when she decided to quit her job to become a writer. After publishing her first couple books, she transitioned into working in TV, and now, she’s the creator and executive producer of the hit CBC police procedural “Allegiance,” which was recently renewed for its third seas…

1
Tanika Charles confronts her complicated family relationships 28:22

9d ago28:22

28:22

You can’t choose your family. Even if they bring you joy or comfort, there’s almost always complexity too. On her new album, “Reasons to Stay,” Canadian R&B singer Tanika Charles explores all the hard conversations she’s wanted to have with her mom, dad and brother. The resulting record is raw, emotional, powerful and uplifting. Tanika sits down wi…

1
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy 42:28

9d ago42:28

42:28

UK Culture Secretary LIsa Nandy talks us through the Government's new Creative Industries Sector Plan which aims to unlock growth and opportunity in culture, media and sport. Last week 27-year-old Scottish author Margaret McDonald become the youngest ever winner of the Carnegie medal for children's writing, for her debut novel Glasgow Boys, a book …

1
How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell 32:44

10d ago32:44

32:44

“How to Train Your Dragon” is one of the most successful children's franchises of all time. A new live-action remake just hit the big screen and author Cressida Cowell, the creator of the original book series, has just released a new spin-off novel, “How To Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing.” Cressida joins guest host Gill Deacon to te…

1
How Refused’s New Noise became a global hit after the band broke up 16:10

10d ago16:10

16:10

It’s been more than 25 years since the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused released their seminal album, “The Shape of Punk to Come.” Their most famous song from that album, “New Noise,” has been called a political anthem and a protest song. It’s been used in the Palme d'Or'-winning film “Triangle of Sadness” as well as in the hit show “The Bear.” L…

1
Billy Porter on activism and artists 42:18

12d ago42:18

42:18

Billy Porter, famous for his Broadway roles in such shows as Kinky Boots and Grease, and onscreen in Pose and Cinderella is making his directorial debut in theatre with This Bitter Earth. Jesse is an introspective Black playwright and when Neil, Jesse’s boyfriend, who is a white Black Lives Matter activist, accuses him of political apathy, their pa…

1
Misty Copeland honours trailblazing Black ballet dancer Raven Wilkinson 31:49

11d ago31:49

31:49

In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to become principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Her heartfelt memoir “The Wind at My Back” pays tribute to her mentor and fellow dance pioneer Raven Wilkinson, who performed in the segregated South as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1950s. A few years back, Misty joi…

1
Ribbon Skirt found inspiration in renewing her antiquated “Indian” status card 16:12

11d ago16:12

16:12

The Montreal band Ribbon Skirt just released their debut album, “Bite Down.” Lead singer Tashiina Buswa joins Tom Power to tell us how the record was inspired by grief and reconnecting with her Indigeneity, how her first exposure to music was in the church, and the difference between knowing you’re free and actually feeling free. Plus, she tells th…

1
Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer on F1 starring Brad Pitt 42:25

13d ago42:25

42:25

Samira talks to legendary Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, whose latest film F1 stars Brad Pitt as a racing car driver. Alistair McGowan and Dr Caroline Potter celebrate the extraordinary music and life of the French composer Erik Satie, whose centenary is marked on Radio 3 on Saturday. Alistair's play about Satie, called Three Pieces in the S…

1
Why the director of Materialists quit her past job as a matchmaker 25:14

12d ago25:14

25:14

Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Celine Song (Past Lives, Materialists) is back with a new movie that takes a candid look at the inhumanity of matchmaking and modern dating. As it turns out, Celine used to be a matchmaker herself. She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about her experiences in the field, why she says her “drug of choice is p…

1
Lido Pimienta and Owen Pallett march to their own beat 27:28

12d ago27:28

27:28

It’s been five years since the Grammy-nominated musician Lido Pimienta made waves with her breakout album, “Miss Colombia.” Now, she’s back with “La Belleza,” which takes an entirely new musical direction. Canadian composer Owen Pallett co-produced the album, which was recorded with help from the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra. Lido and Owen sit d…

1
Classic Stories: The Piper of Hamelin 5:41

17d ago5:41

5:41

Enjoy a classic story in English and learn 12 uses of 'pay' - in 5 minutes. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ L…

1
For Tantoo Cardinal, there’s no turning back 24:44

17d ago24:44

24:44

For more than five decades, Canadian acting legend Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Killers of the Flower Moon) has worked tirelessly to bring nuanced Indigenous stories to the stage and screen — and she says there’s no turning back. The renowned actor was recently honoured with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Wome…

1
This driving school sitcom is a celebration of Black culture in Nova Scotia 16:09

17d ago16:09

16:09

Steve Lawrence and Alexandra MacLean are the stars and co-creators of the Bell Fibe series “0-60 Driving Academy.” They speak to guest host Talia Schlanger about creating a show based on Steve’s real-life experiences running a driving school, and why they wanted to see a Black Nova Scotian family on the screen.…

1
Review Show: Pixar's new film Elio 42:06

17d ago42:06

42:06

Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi talk to tom Sutcliffe about directing Pixar's latest film Elio, about a lonely boy who wants to make contact with aliens. The film is then reviewed by film producer and critic Jason Solomons and art critic and writer Hettie Judah. Tom and guests also discuss a major retrospective of the work of painter Jenny Saville…

1
Domee Shi on Elio, aliens and one-dimensional moms 19:03

18d ago19:03

19:03

The Oscar-winning Canadian animator and director Domee Shi (Bao, Turning Red) is back with a new Disney-Pixar movie, “Elio.” It’s about an 11-year-old who’s obsessed with getting abducted by aliens. Domee joins guest host Talia Schlanger to share how her own childhood inspired aspects of the film, why the theme of alien abduction is a great way to …

1
Playwright Tim Crouch doesn’t want his actors to hear this podcast 24:16

18d ago24:16

24:16

There's a reason why the British theatre maker Tim Crouch doesn't want his actors to hear this podcast — it’s because they’re not supposed to know anything about their role until an hour before the show. This year, Tim’s award-winning play “An Oak Tree” turns 20. It’s one of the strangest and most influential theatre experiments in history, and it’…

1
Trailer-ROCOPRANATRA: The Ultimate Fusion of Rock, Opera & Crooner Hits – 2024 VFF Musical Headliner 0:55

18d ago0:55

0:55

Support the show Sign up to become a member of Janette's TV Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@JanettesTV/videosBy Janette Burke

1
ROCOPRANATRA: The Ultimate Fusion of Rock, Opera & Crooner Hits – 2024 VFF Musical Headliner 6:30

18d ago6:30

6:30

In this powerful Janette’s TV Podcast episode, meet ROCOPRANATRA — the sensational act that headlined the 2024 Vaughan International Film Festival. With a genre-bending style that blends the raw edge of Rock, the grandeur of Opera, and the timeless charm of the Crooner tradition, ROCOPRANATRA delivers a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Janette cha…

1
Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist Fergus McCreadie plays live, plus poet and Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen on his new novel 42:54

18d ago42:54

42:54

On the opening night of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist Fergus McCreadie performs from his forthcoming album The Shieling live in the Front Row studio. Writer and Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen talks about his debut novel Muckle Flugga – a story of love and family set on a remote Scottish island – and reads from the p…

1
Joshua Jackson had to make a tricky transition before Dawson’s Creek 21:47

19d ago21:47

21:47

Joshua Jackson rose to fame more than 20 years ago as a teen heartthrob on the show “Dawson’s Creek.” But his latest role relies solely on the power of his voice. The Vancouver-born actor joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about narrating the suspenseful Canadian audio series “Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview,” embracing his Canadian roots, and …

1
Endless Cookie is a psychedelic family portrait of two half-brothers 22:51

19d ago22:51

22:51

Imagine taking your favourite family memories and spinning them into a full-length movie. That’s exactly what the Toronto filmmaker Seth Scriver has done with the animated documentary “Endless Cookie,” which he created over nine years with his half-brother Peter. Though Seth and Peter lead radically different lives (they’re separated by age, cultur…

1
The producers of RuPaul's Drag Race, plus pianist Alfred Brendel remembered 43:09

19d ago43:09

43:09

RuPaul's Drag Race producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato join Nick Ahad to talk about their career making making television and movies, ahead of being guests of honour at this year's Sheffield DocFest. Radio 3 presenter Tom Service discusses the life and legacy of Alfred Brendel who was a celebrated author, poet and pianist. Caroline Norbury, t…

1
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland on 28 Years Later 42:24

20d ago42:24

42:24

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland tell Tom Sutcliffe about their new film, 28 Years Later; a whole new take on the story which stars Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. It's the follow up to their post-apocalyptic fast-paced, gory zombie movies 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. The Rage virus escaped a medical research laboratory and - …

1
Owen Wilson’s childhood was a real-life buddy comedy 22:27

20d ago22:27

22:27

Owen Wilson has played a misfit, a cowboy, a robber, a male model and now he can add pro golfer to that list. In the new sports comedy series “Stick,” Owen plays Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer with a dark past who ends up coaching a troubled teen prodigy. Owen joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the show, how his carefree nature seeps into h…

1
Comedian Malik Elassal on why it's important to make fun of everything 21:44

20d ago21:44

21:44

The Calgary-born comedian Malik Elassal has already been getting noticed on the stand-up circuit, but with a starring role on the new FX and Disney+ series “Adults,” a lot more people are going to start hearing about him. Malik sits down with Tom Power in our studio to talk about the show, his journey in stand-up, and why he says you can talk about…

1
Adam Duritz wrote a song about wanting to be famous — and it came true 47:47

21d ago47:47

47:47

In 1993, Counting Crows’ debut album, "August and Everything After,” went multi-platinum, selling more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone. Lead singer Adam Duritz joins Tom Power for a wide-ranging conversation about “Mr. Jones” (the song that started it all), how there’s no going back after becoming famous, and what it was like playing hi…

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