Whether it’s keeping up with opera companies across the country or indulging in a deep-dive into composers or particular operas, podcasts have fans covered. Hosted by leading opera professionals as well as dedicated fans, there’s something for everyone interested in the genre, from casual listeners to lifelong aficionados. And now Playbill’s Classic Arts has compiled a list of some of the most popular podcasts below.
PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS AND VENUES
Metropolitan Opera Guild
Official Website • iTunes • Soundcloud
This podcast from the Met Opera Guild features lectures and events presented by the Guild in support of the Metropolitan Opera.
Barbican Centre: Nothing Concrete
Official Website • iTunes
London's Barbican Centre offers interviews with classical music artists, orchestras and ensembles.
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Official Website
The London Philharmonic Orchestra's podcast offers a mix of interviews with conductors and soloists, album news, and pre-concert talks.
RADIO NETWORKS & RECORD LABELS
BBC Radio 3: Composer of the Week (U.K. only)
Official Website • iTunes
BBC's classical station Radio 3 offers a weekly guide to composer and their music.
Music To My Ears
Official Website • iTunes
BBC Music Magazine’s podcast, Music to my Ears, features a series of interviews with well-known classical musicians and composers about their musical passions and discoveries.
New Classical Tracks with Julie Amacher
Official Website • iTunes
In this weekly podcast from Minnesota Public Radio, Julie Amacher explores new classical music releases.
The Naxos Blog
Official Website • iTunes
Explore the latest releases from Naxos and the performers and composers who make their recordings possible.
Classical Breakdown WETA
Official Website • iTunes • Spotify
John Banther takes classical music fans behind the scenes with interviews, deep dives, and analysis. Episodes released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Produced by Classical WETA in Washington, D.C.
FOR BEGINNERS
Classical Classroom
Official Website • iTunes
Dacia Clay of Houston's classical station KXNG learns about classical music.
Opera for Everyone
Official Website • iTunes
From Wyoming's KHOL, this weekly podcast hosted by Pat Wright explores classic operas from a newcomer's perspective.
The Great Composers
Official Website • iTunes • Soundcloud
A podcast exploring the history and lives of famous composers and musicians
COMMENTARY & OPINION
Aria Code
Official Website • iTunes
Rhiannon Giddens explores famous arias from opera history, with each episode examining a single aria.
Indie Opera
Official Website • iTunes • Soundcloud
A weekly podcast focused on news and interviews about new work and the future of opera.
Classical Podcasts
Official Website • iTunes
Lew Smoley's commentary, panel discussions and interviews about classical music.
Crushing Classical
Official Website • iTunes
Crushing Classical podcast is a series of interviews with musicians who are pioneering new career paths in the classical music.
Opera Box Score
Official Website • iTunes • Soundcloud
A talk radio show about opera from WNUR Chicago.
