hidden in plain view
As everyone knows, practically nobody reads the Saturday edition of the New York Times even during the winter, much less on the first weekend of the summer when everyone who might be interested in giving money to an opera company is on their way to the Hamptons.
So it comes as no surprise that it is tomorrow’s edition of the Times that breaks the not very pleasant news that the 2008-2009 season at the New York City Opera will consist of exactly two performances. The budget for this (ahem) abbreviated stagione? Oh, about, say, $32 million.
By the way, did La Cieca mention that the NYCO orchestra will stay busy touring the boroughs with a program of Messiaen, Stravinsky, Foss, Reich and Varèse?
Coming up on the Fourth of July weekend: Anthony Tommasini examines Gérard Mortier‘s medical records.
I am in no way championing the way this has been handled and I am certainly no fan of Dr. Baker. My point is that burying bad news in the Saturday edition is not going to make the problem seem less dire. Every opportunity for “spin” is lost on their P.R. Department. Yes, I think that they get a fair shake when reviewed by the Times. Are they utilizing the Times to their advantage? No.
The “scrappy little opera compnay that could” image of this company irritates me when there is talk of a 32 million dollar budget for a non-season. Let’s not lay all of the blame at Baker’s feet. Kellogg and his like had a lot to do with the current state of affairs as well.
My comment was more toward the posters that seem to think that NYCO is ready to give up the ghost.
I think it’s too early to be writing the NYCO’s obituary as some seem to be doing.
They are in a real predicament, being obligated to pay the orchestra without a subscriber base (steady source of income). I think that orginal plans for next season were far more interesting than what they are proposing now. When they come back, they’ll have trouble bringing all those subscribers back. Even long-time subscribers can be fickle. Give them a year off and they might not come back. Certainly, the challenging programming for their first full season back will draw a smaller subscriber base. Yes, there are a lot of hurdles to overcome.
However, looking on positive side, they will (hopefully) come back to a much improved theatre and their orchestra might sound better than ever. And Mortier’s programming may not be an instant hit with audiences but it certainly won’t be boring. If they present quality productions and truly become a re-energised company, the good reviews will flow in and their star will rise again. The ticket sales won’t rise as easily and they’ll have to supplement the loss of ticket sales with lots of fundraising. But, overall, they could be a vital company again.
I was not invited to her recent birthday party, but a soprano (hence, a person least inclined to underestimate La Flanigan’s age) who was there tells me that her age is well under the figure that you give.
Cori Ellison must surely have the most level head at City Opera nowadays. Thank goodness they at least have her.
According to the website of tenor Simon O’Neill who is singing Caesar in these 2 performances, they are taking it into the studio the following week for a recording. Which is considerably more pleasant news – the work badly needs a modern recording….
Glad to hear about the recording. Now perhaps if they had a soprano whose voice had some tonal beauty they’d have something worth hearing.
Claire Rutter for Cleopatra!
Claire Rutter is not something worth hearing.
I happen to really enjoy Danielle De Niese. I think all the criticisms are valid in terms of technical short-comings and a lack of inherent beauty in the voice, but for me it all adds up to much more than the sum of its parts. I find her utter commitment to what she is doing really compelling. I’ve only seen her at Glyndebourne and also as entertainment at a private function (so a very small venue) – perhaps in a larger theatre it does all fall a bit flat. But as far as I’m concerned, this recording sounds great – I’ll be rushing out to buy it as soon as it becomes available.
“I was not invited to her recent birthday party, but a soprano (hence, a person least inclined to underestimate La Flanigan’s age) who was there tells me that her age is well under the figure that you give.”
No, it’s not.
flanigan got her BA from boston university in 1981. i’ll let you gals do the math from there …