Met Radio Interviews

Met artists discuss their performances, their craft, and their lives in in-depth interviews from Met radio broadcasts.

Elza van den Heever on Die Frau ohne Schatten

The versatile South African soprano describes the dramatic and musical evolution of the Empress, Strauss’s “woman without a shadow.”

(Originally broadcast on November 20, 2024)

Osvaldo Golijov, David Henry Hwang, and Deborah Colker on Ainadamar

The composer, librettist, and director expound on their work, and how they sought to honor Spain’s rich history and Lorca’s vibrant legacy.

(Originally broadcast on October 11, 2024)

Jeanine Tesori & George Brant on Grounded

The composer and librettist reflect on the work's journey from a one-woman play to a gripping new opera for the Met.

(Originally broadcast on Opening Night - September 23, 2024)

Benjamin Bernheim on Les Contes d'Hoffman

The renowned French tenor details the vocal and dramatic evolution required to depict Hoffman across Offenbach's three-act work.

(Originally broadcast on September 24, 2024)

Donald Palumbo on His Tenure as Met Chorus Master

The Met’s departing Chorus Master reflects on highlights and achievements from his 17 seasons with the company.

(Originally broadcast on June 4, 2024)

Met Chorus Members on Maestro Donald Palumbo

Chorus members share recollections of their departing Chorus Master and of how he’s led them to become one of the world’s most acclaimed choruses.

(Originally broadcast on May 18, 2024)

Anthony Roth Costanzo on Orfeo ed Euridice

The dynamic countertenor and impresario discusses his connection with Gluck’s mythological musician, whose art has the power to inspire empathy and love.

(Originally broadcast on May 10, 2024)

Renée Fleming on The Hours, and Music and Mind

The legendary soprano talks about returning to the Met in Kevin Puts's The Hours and about her work promoting research into how music affects health and wellness.

(Originally broadcast on April 30, 2024)

Asmik Grigorian on Madama Butterfly

Fresh from her triumphant Met debut, the Lithuanian soprano explains her approach to portraying Puccini’s tragic heroine.

(Originally broadcast on April 29, 2024)

Marin Alsop on El Niño

The distinguished, trailblazing conductor speaks about the musical language and magical qualities of John Adams’s opera-oratorio on the Nativity.

(Originally broadcast on April 23, 2024)

Benjamin Bernheim on Roméo et Juliette

Tenor Benjamin Bernheim talks about bringing Gounod’s Roméo, one of his signature roles, to the Met.

(Originally broadcast on February 28, 2024)

Lise Davidsen on La Forza del Destino

Soprano Lise Davidsen discusses making her role debut as Leonora in Verdi’s dramatic epic.

(Originally broadcast on February 26, 2024)

Oksana Lyniv on Turandot

Maestro Oksana Lyniv made a company debut—and a bit of Met history—conducting Puccini’s final opera.

(Originally broadcast on February 28, 2024)

Xian Zhang on Madama Butterfly

Maestro Xian Zhang talks about Puccini’s complex , suspenseful score and her path from Northeast China to the Met podium.

(Originally broadcast on January 11, 2024)

Anthony Davis on X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X

The composer—and distinguished jazz pianist—sat down at the piano with Debra Lew Harder to demonstrate how his musical language was influenced by figures like John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Billie Holiday.

(Originally broadcast on November 3, 2023)