Behind the Blue Curtain
Your Backstage Pass to the Season at Sarasota Opera
Welcome to the official podcast of Sarasota Opera, offering listeners an insider’s view of the people, history and stories that bring each production to life this season.
This Week on Behind the Blue Curtain
Episode 6: Il trovatore: Serenades, sieges and family secrets
Host Martha Collins is joined by mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez and stage director Marco Nisticò for a deep dive into Verdi’s Il trovatore. Together they explore the opera’s unforgettable music, its sweeping themes of love, vengeance, trauma, and loyalty, and the raw humanity at the center of its characters. Lisa discusses the emotional complexity of the gypsy woman Azucena and what it means to bring this iconic role to life, while Marco reflects on his lifelong connection to Verdi, the opera’s enduring popularity, and the legacy of Maestro DeRenzi as he leads his final Verdi production at Sarasota Opera.
Listen to the Latest Episode
Listen on Spotify:
Listen on Apple Podcasts:
Discover the Stories of Opera
Created for both longtime opera fans and those new to the art form, this podcast series features conversations with singers, directors, historians, opera fans and members of the Sarasota Opera team. Listeners will get the inside scoop on upcoming performances, learn about the creative process, and discover what makes Sarasota Opera’s programming and community unique.
From artist interviews and opera previews to historical insights and personal stories, Behind the Blue Curtain engages audiences to experience the season in a deeper, more personal way.
Whether you’re celebrating your 67th season at Sarasota Opera or planning your first visit, this podcast is your backstage pass to everything Sarasota Opera.
Meet the Host
Director of Education
Martha Collins
Martha Collins, Director of Education at Sarasota Opera, is an acclaimed stage director praised for her insightful character portrayals and dynamic productions. Her most recent Sarasota Opera credits include Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci (2025), Carmen (2024), Ernani (2023), Attila (2022), and Roméo et Juliette, along with earlier contributions to the company’s acclaimed Verdi Cycle. Since 2004, she has served as Stage Director of the Apprentice Artist Program and has led major Youth Opera premieres such as Little Nemo in Slumberland and The Hobbit.
Beyond Sarasota, her directing work includes productions with Opera Southwest, Tri-Cities Opera, Land of Enchantment Opera, and NYU. A seasoned educator and former performer, Collins brings decades of experience and artistic vision to her role as podcast host.
Episode Archives & Videos
2025-26 Season
1) Opera 101 at 100 - October 3 - Listen here
Videos Shorts: The Opera Lover's Responsibility to Opera: Watch here
2) Modern Love for a Classic Art: Why Opera Still Resonates - October 10 - Listen here
Videos Shorts: Modern Love for a Class Art: Watch here
3) Così fan tutte: Duplicity, disguises and delightful deception - October 17 - Listen here
Video Shorts: A tale of duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception: Watch here
4) Brundibar: The Youth Opera with a Powerful Past - Listen here
Video Shorts: The Story Behind Brundibàr’s Powerful Prologue: Watch here
5) La bohème: Poetry, Poverty, and Passion - Listen here
Video Shorts: "It was literally bohème!": Watch here
6) The Merry Widow: Money, Mischief & Matchmaking - Listen here
Video Shorts: "Onstage Chemistry": Watch here
7) Il trovatore: Serenades, sieges, and family secrets - Listen here
Video Shorts: "Marco Nisticò on Directing Il trovatore for Maestro DeRenzi's Final Verdi": Watch here