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Slate Culture

Working: An Opera Singer’s Meticulous Pre-Show Routine

Slate Culture

Slate Podcasts

Arts, Tv & Film, Music

4.42K Ratings

🗓️ 30 April 2023

⏱️ 49 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, who is currently starring in the show Champion at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. In the interview, Speedo shares the meticulous pre-show routine that allows him to portray the real-life boxer Emile Griffith in Champion. He also discusses the research that went into the role, the unique genre-bending qualities of Champion, and his specialization in opera and opera alone. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss their own creative routines and practices. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Speedo talks about the opera roles he would like to tackle in the future. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [email protected] or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. To see Ryan Speedo Green perform in Champion or to see a special screening of the show in theaters on May 3rd, visit metopera.org. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

My guy, I use the point with Ms. Football.

0:03.4

This summer it's time to get to know the players and your taste buds.

0:07.1

That's the line.

0:08.1

If 70% of the UK prefers the taste of Pepsi Max, you prefer Pepsi Max.

0:13.5

Firstly for more, visit PepsiMax.withsportfryer.com to enter our quiz to win gig tickets and find your perfect playlist.

0:21.1

UK blind taste test with over 34,000 people versus UK's biggest selling food sugar cola.

0:26.0

But verification goes to Pepsi.co.uk forward slash FAQ.

0:40.1

The first time I sang a note was when I started singing opera.

0:43.8

I didn't grow up singing any other style of music, pop music, hip hop, anything like that kind of stuff.

0:48.5

Maybe to my fault, I am a one-trick pony.

0:51.4

I am an opera singing opera singer.

0:54.0

Look, I am horrible at singing any other kind of music.

1:00.2

Welcome back to working.

1:01.3

I'm your host, June Thomas.

1:03.4

And I'm your other host, Isaac Butler.

1:05.6

Isaac, it's always lovely to see you.

1:08.1

But I must know immediately whose voice did we hear at the top of the show.

1:13.1

Yes, we heard the dulcet tones of the great Ryan Speedo Green.

1:18.1

He's an opera-based baritone on the rise who's playing his first lead role

1:22.9

at the Metropolitan Opera in Terrence Blanchard's champion.

1:26.4

Oh, muscle.

1:27.8

And why did you want to speak with him? Are you an opera head?

...

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