Julia Levitan, Author at iCadenza

Cutting-edge violinist, Stefan Jackiw

Julia interviews violinist Stefan Jackiw, who is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after violinists worldwide. In this interview, he discusses his musical beginnings and decision to pursue music as a career, his choice to attend Harvard rather than a top conservatory, why music is important to our society, his pre-performance routine, and how we … Read more

Grammy-nominated mandolinist, Avi Avital

by Julia Levitan

Jennifer interviews Grammy-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital. He discusses his choice to start playing mandolin, the process of finding his artistic identify in the midst of a very sparse mandolin-specific repertoire, and his upcoming projects.

Charles Castronovo, Tenor

by Julia Levitan

Julia interviews tenor Charles Castronovo, who is starring in the World Premiere of Daniel Catán’s new opera, Il Postino, at Los Angeles Opera. In this interview he discusses the joys and challenges of an international career, imparts his advice for young singers, and shares his story about how a clever choir teacher convinced him (a … Read more

Composer Jake Heggie

by Julia Levitan

Julia interviews noted American composer Jake Heggie, whose most recent opera Moby-Dick was a major success at Dallas Opera. Jake Heggie discusses how he developed a love for composition and his process for writing an opera, and gives advice for aspiring singers and composers.

Klaus Heymann, Founder and President of Naxos

by Julia Levitan

Julia interviews Klaus Heymann, the Founder and President of Naxos, the world’s leading classical music label. Over the past two decades, Naxos has grown to a company that is known for its quality, and Naxos recordings have garnered 11 Grammy Awards and 130 Gramophone Editor’s Choice Awards, among other distinctions. In this interview, Klaus Heymann discusses his early experiences with classical music, his decision to start the Naxos Music Library, how video factors into his plans, his thoughts about the future of the music industry, his advice for young artists seeking to produce a recording, and what drives him as Naxos soars into its 23rd year of existence.

David Gockley, General Director of San Francisco Opera

by Julia Levitan

Julia interviews David Gockley, General Director of the San Francisco Opera. In this interview, Mr. Gockley discusses how he approaches his progressive yet traditional programming, the unique challenges that SF Opera faces, the importance of young artist programs in the US, and why he supports the use of technology in the opera house.

Vladimir Chernov, Baritone

by Julia Levitan

Julia inteviews renowned baritone Vladimir Chernov, who has graced the world’s leading stages, including La Scala, The Metropolitan Opera, Kirov Opera, Royal Opera House, and Vienna State Opera. This month, he appears in Los Angeles Opera’s world premiere of Il Postino, by Daniel Catán. In this interview, he discusses why he must perform, his advice for young singers, his thoughts about technique, and how he approaches the stage.

iCadenza interview with tenor Daniel Montenegro

by Julia Levitan

Interview with tenor Daniel Montenegro before the Summer Nights in the Plaza concert series presented by the Beverly Hills Community Services Department. In this interview, he discusses what it was like to perform in Verdi’s La Traviata alongside Renee Fleming and Rolando Villazon, the little bits of luck and coincidence that it takes to make it in opera, and funny mishaps that he has experienced on stage.