From its origins under the Sun King, opera in France was a project of the state, but today its future is also being written in the regions. In this episode, Valérie Chevalier from Montpellier and baritone Stéphane Degout join us to discuss the modern challenges of regional funding, reaching new audiences through video games, and the distinct identity of the French vocal style.

A distinct operatic landscape takes shape between country-house tradition and public service. In this new episode, Gus Christie from Glyndebourne and Adele Thomas from Welsh National Opera trace the British operatic path via Purcell and Handel to 21st century questions of funding, access and cultural memory.

With its edgy originality, Poland's opera scene has long been a space to explore identity and innovation. Join Borys Kudlička, Olga Pasichnyk and Sir David Pountney as they dive into a landscape where Moniuszko’s folklore, Szymanowski’s mysticism, and the viral modernity of Dorian Gray contribute to one of Europe’s most vibrant operatic ecosystems.

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian Schwarz turns to Croatia as a revealing case study for the operatic realities of smaller European countries. The episode argues that Croatia exemplifies a broader structural paradox: strong national institutions, permanent ensembles, and a rich operatic tradition operating under conditions of limited scale, modest international visibility, and constant pressure to justify public funding. Tracing the development of opera from Austro-Hungarian and Italian influences through the Yugoslav period and into the present, the discussion shows how history, politics, and geography continue to shape artistic life today. Alongside historical context, the episode features voices from within the Croatian operatic ecosystem — Iva Hraste-Sočo, general and artistic director of the Croatian National Theatre, Diana Haller and Marko Mimica, two Croatian born and raised and internationally sought-after singers.

In this episode of Opera Road Trip, host Sebastian Schwarz turns the spotlight from national operatic traditions to a crucial gateway for emerging artists: singing competitions. Against the backdrop of increasingly opaque casting processes, the episode explores why competitions continue to play a decisive — and controversial — role in operatic careers today.

Opera Road Trip’s fourth episode is dedicated to opera in Vienna. We hear from Kristine Tornquist and Jury Everhartz, founders and directors of Sirene Operntheater, about the work of the independent opera companies and their newest opera Abendsonne, set in a retirement home. We speak with Stefan Herheim, Intendant of Theater an der Wien, about his thoughts on running an opera house. 200 years ago, Vienna’s most prominent music critic Eduard Hanslick was born – known for his scathing reviews especially of Richard Wagner’s work. Time to have a look at the role of the critic – back then and today - with Vienna’s leading music journalist and critic Walter Weidringer.