Seth Black-Diamond and the new Straz web series, Milkshakes & Opera
On January 12, Opera Tampa launched its first-ever web series geared towards kids. The idea? Take a well-loved local 11-year-old performer, give him a hosting gig and sit him across from equally well-loved opera conductors to gab about opera and drink milkshakes donated by Chik-Fil-A. Throw in a surprise cameo by The Cow (“Enjoy Mor Opera”), and you’ve got a hit.
Caught in the Act crashed the most recent taping of Milkshakes & Opera, getting the delightful host, Seth Black-Diamond, to give us a quick look behind the scenes before his guest for the day, The Barber of Seville conductor Jorge Parodi, took a seat on the purple couch. Seth, a student here at the Patel Conservatory, performed in the children’s chorus of Tosca with Opera Tampa and already has a love of the form.
Here’s our behind-the-scenes video, where you can meet Seth as he gives you a quick run-down of the set and introduces you to his camera crew. You’ll also meet Catalina Nieto, our digital marketing manager who created the show, who explains how she found Seth. After that, enjoy some behind-the-scenes pics of Seth’s interview.
Make sure you’ve liked Opera Tampa on Facebook to keep up with Milkshakes & Opera and all the extra info and cool facts about the opera world and the world of opera in Tampa.
If you missed the first episode, where Seth interviews Opera Tampa Managing Director Robin Stamper, who conducts this season’s The Marriage of Figaro, you can catch it here:
Want to see the next episode starring Jorge Parodi? Look for it on the Opera Tampa Facebook page the week of Jan. 29.