August 14, 2023

In this issue, we look at opera’s terrible summer. A summer which has seen the fall of the Met Opera Guild and Opera News, the slashing of full-scale opera productions at Chautauqua and mainstage productions at Tulsa Opera, and deep cuts at Opera Philadelphia. Deep breaths, folks.

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Metropolitan Opera Guild shuts down Opera News
In memoriam: Renata Scotto, one of 20th century’s great divas, dies at 89
Opera: Opera Philadelphia cuts 20% while general director announces plans to step down
Video of the week
Around the web: Spot the fake headline, Hi-rez art, a bizarre cat website, plus more curious internet finds.

CLASSICAL CHARTS

THE BIG IDEA

Taylor Swift Gives A Nod To Opera-Singing Grandmother

On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Opera Guild announced plans to lay off twenty of its employees and stop publication of Opera News, which will be incorporated into a section of the British Opera magazine and print its final stand-alone issue in November. Guild Chairman Winthrop Rutherfurd Jr. stated that the continuation of the Guild is no longer economically viable due to losses in revenue in recent years.

Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera’s General Director, explained the losses as a situation felt by many non-profit organizations in which revenues can’t keep up with expenses.

The Guild relies on $85 membership fees as well as donations and contributions from members. In 2021, these contributions totalled $8.1 million — down from $9.1 million in 2011.

What’s behind the decline?

Members of the opera community cite numerous reasons for opera’s decline in the US. These include a lack of governmental support for the arts, economic difficulties following the pandemic, public hesitancy to return to theatres, and a Eurocentric, antiquated view of opera in which many Americans don’t see themselves.

A matter of history

The American actress and philanthropist Eleanor Robson Belmont (George Bernard Shaw’s original “Major Barbara”) founded the Met Opera Guild in 1935 as a response to financial hardships at the Met during the Great Depression.

Since its founding, the Guild has supported educational programs at the Metropolitan Opera. It has brought thousands of schoolchildren to dress rehearsals, provided backstage tours, school residencies, community outreach groups and e-learning materials, including podcasts. The Guild has also published Opera News since 1936, a leading monthly classical music magazine in the United States with a 43,000 circulation.

Zoom out

This week was a particular weekus horribilis for the US opera industry. The Chautauqua Institution announced a slashing of its prestigious opera training program while Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Philadelphia and Tulsa Opera all announced production cancellations and budget tightenings due to financial shortages.

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Mostly Mozart Festival (Photo: Matt Dine)

Requiem for Mostly Mozart — The end of the Mostly Mozart Festival indicates Lincoln Center's shift away from its classical roots, seeking wider cultural inclusivity. While such change addresses past elitism, many argue for a balance that respects the Center's core musical heritage. | The New Yorker

Yannick Nézet-Séguin: The 60 Minutes Interview — Yannick Nézet-Séguin on how he aims to dismantle barriers preventing certain audiences from enjoying classical music and opera. | CBS

Young Classical Musicians Are 'Clone-Like'? I Disagree — Opera houses worldwide are actively adopting sustainable practices, with Glyndebourne at the forefront, using initiatives like wind turbines and natural dyes. Amid the climate crisis, these measures, combined with collaborative projects and resourceful adaptations, reflect the industry's dedication to sustainability. | Violinist.com

Opera America Announces Inductees of 2023 Opera Hall of Fame — Opera America unveils its 2023 Opera Hall of Fame inductees, celebrating key figures like Michael Bronson, Wayne S. Brown, Anthony Davis, and others for their remarkable contributions to opera. The ceremony, set for January 26, 2023, will also honour 2023 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award recipients. | Operawire

Leonard Bernstein's Children Defend Bradley Cooper's Prosthetic Nose in New Biopic — Leonard Bernstein's children are standing by Bradley Cooper's choice to wear a prosthetic nose in his biopic, "Maestro", amidst controversy and accusations of reinforcing stereotypes. Set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the movie highlights Bernstein's relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre. | BBC Music

B.C. Musician’s Quick Thinking Leads Him To Recover Stolen Italian Violin — Mitch Howanyk's 1840s Italian-made violin was stolen at a concert in Kelowna. After an intense search, a tip led to its unexpected recovery. | Ludwig van Toronto

A Newly Uncovered Work for Violin Gets a World Premiere at Aspen — A neglected work for violin and orchestra will finally enjoy its premiere at Aspen Music Festival, more than half a century after it was written. | The Strad

IN MEMORIAM

Renata Scotto. (2023, August 20). In Wikipedia.

Renata Scotto, One of 20th Century Opera's Great Divas, Dies at 89

Renata Scotto died last week in Savona, Italy, after a reign as one of the Metropolitan Opera’s most popular sopranos, where she appeared 314 times from 1965-1987.

Who was Scotto?: The soprano Renata Scotto (1934-2023) is remembered as one of the most expressive singing actors of her generation. Her signature roles included Mimí in La bohème--which she performed in PBS’ first installment of “Great Performances at the Met” alongside Pavarotti--Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Bellini’s Norma, all three heroines in Il Trittico, Adina in L’elisir d’amore and Violetta in La Traviata.

What made her so special: Scotto imbued each note she sang with drama. The former Met Music Director James Levine championed her career, calling her a “direct descendant of the great, expressive Italian sopranos.” Scotto’s repertoire oscillated between that of a lyric soprano and a spinto. She preferred specific vocal characterizations to overblown, veristic singing in the style of Beniamino Gigli. Her performances were noted for their expressiveness as well as their musical cleanliness.

How is she being remembered?: Tributes to the great soprano, who became a devoted teacher and even a stage director, are pouring in from many of the world’s leading singers.

Wondering where to start?: Ludwig Van suggests a listen to her graceful phrasing and unforgettable pianissimi in Puccini’s “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from La rondine.

Grazie, maestra.

OPERA

(Photo courtesy of Opera Philadelphia )

Opera Philadelphia Reduces Staff and Budget by 20% While General Director Announces Plans to Step Down

Executive Director of Opera Philadelphia David B. Devan announced his plans to leave the company at the end of the 2023-24 season.

The scoop: Opera Philadelphia has run up two $800,000 deficits in the past two years, forcing them to postpone performances of Joseph Bologne’s The Anonymous Lover by a season, cut their annual budget by 13%, eliminate five staff positions, and discontinue their streaming platform.

Why is this happening now?: After Covid, Opera Philadelphia expected audiences to return to pre-lockdown levels, which has failed to happen. Philanthropy has also subsided, dropping OP’s budget from $18 million down to $11 million.

David B. Devan, Opera Philadelphia’s ED since 2011, steered the company towards cutting-edge productions that reflect contemporary life, positioning it as a clear alternative to the nearby, more traditional Metropolitan Opera. Opera Philadelphia created 18 new productions during Devan’s tenure that have since been produced by companies around the world. When Covid-19 hit, he quickly pivoted the company towards digital creation.

What’s next?: Devan, who is originally from Toronto, believes the company needs to continue to be an integral part of Philadelphia’s community, including reaching those in underserved areas. Everything from talks of mergers with other companies to a complete upheaval of their definition of opera is on the table. In Devan’s words, “The next period of [Opera Philadelphia’s] evolution is going to be a long one.”

Let’s hope their next leader is ready to buckle up and continue Devan’s work championing this innovative company.

QUIZ

What opera ends with all slaves being released by the Pasha?

A: Verdi: Aida

B: Rossini: La pietra del paragone

C: Mozart: Lucio Silla

D: Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Scroll down for the answer…

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. It was not recovered until 1913, which sparked a media sensation that helped make it one of the world's most famous paintings.

🤔 Cure Boredom: Can you tell which headline is fake?

🤷 Useless: We have no idea what this is, but we like it.

🖼️ Art: Hi-Res public domain paintings, posters and illustrations.

🐈 Aww: This no sitting on the future rule will not do.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Maestro unveils the profound and unwavering love journey of cultural luminary Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A tribute to life's artistry, Maestro fundamentally captures the heartfelt saga of family and romance.

Catch Maestro in select theatres on November 22 and streaming on Netflix from December 20.

QUIZ ANSWER

D: Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail — In a grand show of mercy, Pasha Selim gives liberty to all those confined in the Seraglio, as well as those who entered it to rescue loved ones.

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Today's email was brought to you by Sara "Weekus Horribilis" Schabas with editing by Michael "Deep Breaths" Vincent.

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