BURLINGAME, CA (MobileCast Media) - San Francisco Opera and MobileCast Media have announced the formation of a new podcasting partnership, which will debut online with an interview with opera icon Deborah Voigt. Conducted by San Francisco Opera General
Director David Gockley, the interview with Deborah Voigt was recorded live on the stage of San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House earlier in
September and offers a personal glimpse into the life and talent of this opera superstar. In a candid interview, Ms. Voigt addresses her recent weight-loss surgery and covers personal and professional topics ranging from her international singing career, future operatic roles, her dating life, and the love she has for her dog, Steinway. In addition to the interview with Deborah Voigt, the initial launch will also include San Francisco Opera's 2006 - 2007 Season Preview - a specially narrated synopsis of each opera written and narrated by
David Gockley. Users can access San Francisco Opera podcasts from https://podcast.sfopera.com, or from iTunes by searching for "San Francisco Opera Podcast."
"Deborah Voigt is a major international star, and I imagine that her fans around the world will want to hear her discuss, in her own voice, the recent issues that have been so widely reported," stated San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley. "I am very thankful that she is allowing us to use her interview to launch this important new era at San Francisco Opera. I've always been a firm believer in taking opera out of the opera house, and we've begun that with our simulcasts. This partnership with John Houghton and MobileCast Media takes that concept to a truly international level."
John Houghton, CEO of MobileCast Media, takes the term 'audience development' to entirely new levels with his generosity and partnership in launching podcasting for San Francisco Opera. A former opera singer, Mr. Houghton became involved with San Francisco Opera as an audience member and as an active board member of the Company's young audience development group, BRAVO! CLUB. "It's the marriage of two of my life's passions," says John Houghton, who made the podcast possible through a donation of services. "As a BRAVO! CLUB board member, I worked hard to bring new people to the art form. Then I realized that I could literally reach millions through podcasting, and this perfect marriage of my passion and my profession came about. I want to thank David Gockley and San Francisco Opera for their support as we work through the new territory of emerging technologies. I fell in love with opera as a young music student and I cannot think of a better way to give back to the art form than by making it possible for opera lovers worldwide to access the programs and music of the legendary San Francisco Opera."
San Francisco Opera tested this concept with an initial BRAVO! CLUB lecture called Opera 101, featuring conductor Sara Jobin. The podcast is available at the BRAVO! CLUB Podcast Page (https://www.newmediaconversations.com/bravo) or from iTunes by searching for "Bravo Club."
Plans for future podcasts are in the works, as are conversations about videocasting.
