In part one of Indie Opera Podcast’s coverage of Opera Philadelphia’s 019 Festival, Chuck Sachs talks first with Conductor Gary Thor Wedow, Mezzo-Soprano Daniela Mack and Tenor Alek Shrader about their work as part of Director James Darrah’s production of Handel’s SEMELE. We hear about what makes they keep returning to work at Opera Philadlephia, why they believe that the story of SEMELE is relevant to today’s audiences and how to reconcile duel artistic careers with their marriages. Two solo interviews follow with Tenor Jonathan Johnson and Soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer about their Opera Philadelphia and role debuts in Alessandro Talevi’s new production of THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES conducted by Corrado Rovaris. Jonathan shares the wildly complicated and farcical character journey for The Prince and Wendy shares recollections about the training and mentoring she received in three of American Opera’s most prestigious Young Artist programs.