Howard Hart – Speaking Opera

Howard Hart is the creator and host of the podcast library Speaking Opera. A native of Massachusetts, his lifelong passion for opera was first inspired by his paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother, both ardent lovers of the art form. Together, they tuned in to the Metropolitan Opera’s Saturday matinee radio broadcasts, hosted by the legendary Milton Cross. These early experiences planted the seeds of a devotion that would grow into both a personal and professional vocation.

Howard’s professional path developed in parallel with his immersion in classical music. He began his career as a classical buyer in record stores in Boston and Harvard Square, Cambridge, where he quickly established a reputation for his encyclopedic knowledge of recordings. In his early thirties, he relocated to New York City and settled on the Upper West Side, just blocks from Lincoln Center. There, he became a frequent attendee at the Metropolitan Opera, experiencing firsthand the artistry of many of the great voices of the era.

With his extensive knowledge of the recording industry, Howard soon launched his own business, promoting classical recording labels and the distinguished artists who performed for them. At the same time, he broadened his role in the world of music as a guest host on classical radio programs for major New York City stations. His interviews from this period include conversations with some of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (with co-host Tim Page, writer, scholar, and longtime friend), Renata Scotto, Eleanor Steber, Lucia Popp, Bernd Weikl, Louis Quilico, and Licia Albanese. These dialogues not only deepened his understanding of the art but also gave audiences a unique glimpse into the lives and artistry of operatic legends.

After several decades away from interviewing, Howard has returned to the field with renewed creativity, embracing new technologies to share opera with today’s audiences. Through his vodcasts and video podcasts under the Speaking Opera banner, he continues his tradition of insightful conversation, engaging both established stars and rising voices. Recent episodes have featured internationally renowned artists such as Gino Quilico, Zachary Wilder, and Amanda Forsythe, reaffirming Howard’s role as a vital conduit between singers and audiences.

The Speaking Opera podcasts are a true labor of love. Like all projects of this kind, they require tremendous commitment behind the scenes. Howard’s earliest interviews were recorded in the intimate settings of artists’ homes and hotel rooms. Originally preserved on analog open-reel and cassette tapes, these rare conversations have since been carefully transferred to digital formats. Through extensive editing and sound restoration, recordings from the 1980s—once at risk of being lost—have been preserved with dramatically improved clarity. This painstaking process ensures that both the artistry of the singers and the integrity of the interviews remain vibrant and accessible for today’s listeners.

Speaking Opera stands as a testament to Howard Hart’s lifelong devotion to the art form. His work preserves the heritage of opera while celebrating its ongoing evolution, bridging generations of artists and listeners. With a perspective shaped by decades of experience in performance, broadcasting, and the recording industry, Howard brings depth, warmth, and a genuine love of the art to every conversation he leads.