Tales from Backstage

clare mccaldin podcastThis week I posted my eighth podcast episode – the second part of an extended conversation with composer Stephen McNeff in which we talk about writing for singers, what makes for successful collaboration and what else he has in the compositional pipeline.

I’ve called the podcasting strand of my activity Tales from Backstage because I want it to be a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes, not just in my own work but also in the lives and work of my colleagues. Sometimes this is the story of how their path has literally crossed mine backstage in a particular performance such as the Royal Opera’s Carmen, where I met Kay, Anita, Sharon and Sam. Other conversations – with Sandy, Stephen and Liz – take place in a more metaphorical backstage area, where we discuss how and why we do what we do.

Hopefully all of these podcasts reveal interesting truths about life in the performing arts – many of my conversation partners reveal themselves as multi-talented multi-taskers, juggling roles as teachers, writers, producers and creators, which is the reality for most performers rather than a single-focussed occupation.

What kind of people would you like to hear about? Let me know and perhaps there’s one near me and my iPhone, ready to chat.