MusicMusic Commentary

What the Fach?

Clover Kayne and Erin O'Rourke

Welcome to What the Fach? – where opera meets reality!

We’re Clover and Erin, two young singers navigating the chaos of the opera world: one rejection, one costume disaster, and one poorly planned tech week at a time.

Our goal is to create a space where we can talk, learn, and laugh about all things singer life. From silly games to semi-serious conversations, we're opening our hearts and minds to this wild, beautiful art form in 2025.

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10 episodes
monthly
Avg 59 min
English

Episodes 10

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S1 · E10
October 2 · 1 hr 2 min
XOXO: OPERA'S VERY OWN GOSSIP GIRL
XOXO, opera lovers… This week, we’re joined by the anonymous voice behind Teatro alla Flopera, opera’s very own Gossip Girl... We get into the tea on the opera industry: what needs to change, gatekeeping, accessibility, representation, career sustainability, and the pressures of being a performer. Plus, what keeps us loving this ridiculous, brilliant art form? We also play our classic WTF games and answer YOUR questions, sent in by listeners. So who is Teatro alla Flopera? We can’t tell you… but we can tell you she has a LOT to say. 💅
S1 · E9
June 26 · 1 hr 6 min
FIVE STARS FOR THERAPY: MENTAL HEALTH & OPERA JOURNALISM
We're joined by the fabulous Hattie Butterworth: journalist, editor, cellist, and mental health campaigner... what can't she do?! Hattie is the founder of the podcast Things Musicians Don't Talk About, a revolutionary platform, which has helped change the stigma surrounding mental health with musicians. Hattie shares her own journey with severe anxiety, OCD, depression, and an eating disorder — and how the culture of perfectionism in classical music both fuelled and concealed her struggles. Challenging the stigma around medication, therapy, and diagnosis. We ask ourselves: is the hyper-focused, obsessive mindset that makes musicians excel the same one that can spiral into disorder? Where does dedication end and dysfunction begin? Hattie pulls back the curtain on how reviews actually work — word counts, forgotten performances, critics who may not even be musicians... sparking a discussion of body shaming in reviews and editors' responsibility to protect performers. We love Hattie, and we know you will too! Book mentioned: Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts by Sally M. Winston, Psyd and Martin P. Seif, PhD
May 15 · 1 hr 1 min
SOCIAL MEDIA FEVER: OPERA ON INSTAGRAM
In this episode we chat to Shakira Tsindos – mezzo-soprano and creator of Your Artist Media – who manages the socials of opera singers like Aigul Akhmethsina , as well as promoting star artists represented by agencies such as MWA and MK Impresario. We know intimately that, as opera singers, socials can feel scary. How can you present yourself online without feeling vulnerable? When your instrument is constantly changing and evolving? Just how online do we need to be? Callas didn't have to be online... so why do we?! We know that, now more than ever, the industry expects us to have an online presence, so Shakira offers her tips and tricks to make all of social media business much less daunting. Sometimes it's just about knowing where to start! Comment below what your favourite tip was!
April 10 · 54 min
CATCH-UP: TAKING UP SPACE & USING YOUR FACE
Timothée Chalamet said opera is dead. The Met is down to nine donors. And someone in a young artist program was told to try a weight loss drug. We are back in the same room and we have a lot to say. Featuring: karaoke confessions, frozen foreheads, billionaires buying streaming services, and a feminist theory that connects all of it... Comment below with your thoughts and feelings!
S1 · E6
January 30 · 47 min
CATCH-UP: SINGING FOR A LIVING COSTS A LOT
January catch-up incoming 💋 We get real about the taboo no one wants to touch: audition costs. From eye-watering audition expenses (how much did we actually drop this season?!) to tales from a European audition tour backed by the ultimate keyboard-warrior mum. We dive into our audition experiences too, sharing the highs, the lows, and the full horror stories, plus some very exciting updates on young artist programme developments. We're spilling the tea, crunching the numbers, and getting into the nitty gritty – because it’s time singers stopped whispering and started being honest about how we make this career work.
S1 · E5
January 9 · 1 hr 6 min
CROSSING CONTINENTS: FEST VS GUEST
Soprano Emily Hindrichs spills all on how she went from New Orleans to accidentally building a powerhouse career in Europe – landing at Oper Köln and escaping a lifetime of only singing Queen of the Night. She breaks down what fest life is really like (spoiler: structure! colleagues! health insurance!) and why the German system can either lift you up or chew you up if you’re not steering your own ship. We get into the cultural whiplash of working on both sides of the Atlantic, the steep learning curve of surviving and thriving in the German language, and how to handle feedback without losing your mind. Emily also talks about creating Lighthouse Opera Köln, the mentorship programme she literally runs from her living room, plus the importance of intimacy coordination, stage combat, and saying “nope, not for me” without guilt. Funny, frank, and full of wisdom, a must-listen for anyone trying to navigate opera without burning out.
S1 · E4
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
HERE COMES TREBLE: BREAKING THE OPERA MOULD
This episode, we’re joined by the one and only Laurence Kilsby – tenor, storyteller, and all-around vocal powerhouse – for a no-holds-barred look behind the velvet curtain. From choirboy beginnings to international stages, Laurence spills the tea on surviving typecasting, balancing a jet-setting career with real life, and the art of not losing your mind (or your voice) in the process. We dive into the highs, the lows, and the hilarious in-betweens of opera life: awkward auditions, pigeonholing, the pressure to fit the “tenor” mould, and why sometimes you just have to let it all out. Plus, we play some games, swap wild stories, and get real about what it takes to keep singing when the reviews – and the travel – never stop. Whether you’re an opera insider or just here for the drama, this episode hits all the right notes. Tune in for laughs, inspiration, and a little bit of treble. As promised, here is a clip from Laurence's Royal Albert Hall debut. No, you're crying.
S1 · E3
Oct 10, 2025 · 42 min
CATCH-UP: CHORUS AND CHAOS
In this episode, we dive into the highs, lows, and hilarious realities of life in the chorus. We share personal stories and insights that most young singers will relate to, such as auditions – what works, what doesn't, and how to cope. We ask the all-important question: Which opera characters would we date... and which ones are immediate red flags? Then, get ready for some voice type hot-takes as we challenge the usual stereotypes and spill our opinions on what makes a mezzo or a soprano.
S1 · E2
Sep 19, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
MICS, METAL AND MAXIMISING TAKES
This week, we’re joined by the amazing Jan Capiński to talk all things recording! From the highs and lows of studio life to tips for capturing the perfect performance, Jan shares his insider knowledge with warmth and humour. Of course, we also play some new games, get a little chaotic, and sneak in some metal chat... because why not? You can find Jan's Recording Basic's Course here.
S1 · E1
Aug 1, 2025 · 59 min
THE PILOT
In the pilot episode of What the Fach?, Clover and Erin introduce themselves – two young singers navigating the highs, lows, and everything in between of the opera world. Expect honest chats, unfiltered stories, and a healthy dose of humour as they kick off this new adventure. Whether you're a fellow musician or just opera-curious, they're so glad you're here. Fach, pronounced "fahkh", is the German system used in opera to classify singers by voice type and the roles they're suited to. But voices don't always fit neatly into boxes – and neither do people. @whatthefachpod

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