the wails of august
Several of you cher public have been kind enough to forward to me an email from Peter Gelb offering the Met’s apology for the debacle of the first day of subscriber ticket exchanges. Though La Cieca has sneered a bit at the Buoso Donati contingent, she certainly can understand why loyal subscribers might feel that this email is somewhat “too little, too late.” It does seem that so sweeping a change in the exchange system could have been handled more transparently, and, more to the point, more consistently.
La Cieca has heard numerous complaints that subscribers were given conflicting information by Met personnel, especially about trades involving the more in-demand new productions like Thaïs and La rondine. At this point there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that there was a concerted effort by the Met to hold these tickets back for later single sale, but when the policy is not made crystal-clear and observed consistently, there’s always the chance of the perception that something underhanded is going on.
In a way, Gelb reminds La Cieca of New York’s dear Mayor Michael Bloomberg in that both these gentlemen transitioned from the private sector, where leaders can get away with acting in a rather dictatorial fashion, into a more public arena where one has to be careful not to come off like a bully. Of course, the dictatorial style is handy for getting things done quickly and efficiently, but sometimes at the expense of long-term goodwill. Mayor Bloomberg has learned, La Cieca thinks, to moderate his tactics so that his leadership feels more like it’s based on consensus. Mr. Gelb might benefit from emulating the mayor’s newfound management style.
Ruxton, Josephine, whatever, and Harry:
Thanks for the eloquent (and often hilarious) input/responses to my Gelb letter. What can I say, I’m an opera fan. I already sent the letter. He probably won’t even read it, but as is so often the case in situations like this, I felt better after I sent it to him (and to you.)
Cheers!
klingsor2000
i’m actually with you, klingsor — probably not as dramatically, but “whatever”.
i recognize we’re not funding the cure for cancer here, but — so what? who says we have to be? *anytime* somebody puts money on the table s/he deserves to know the terms up front …
Dear Klingsor….with respect, a whining Klingsor
doesn’t play….you might want to consult Kundry’s
Therapist….
Dear #184: It’s worse than in insult, what Gelb has suggested, it is a stupid marketing blunder — from the alleged “master marketer” of all time!
Is it possible Mr G is not as bright as we had thought?
“Ask not what the Met can do for you, rather what can you do for the Met” is the implication of his subscription policy, and you and I know that ain’t gonna fly.
About six weeks or more ago, the WSJ ran a piece on Gelb and his problems at the Met, and sorry I don’t recall the woman author’s name. BUT … she made it pretty clear, he is heading into deep water on his budget — spending very heavily, running up overheads, and not necessarily selling more seats. So where will the deficit be made up — of course, by the board. Keep you eye on that; I sort of have a worrisome feeling he just may sink his expensive glittering boat. And in addition to which — we’ve all heard he is a martinet at the office and is not personally popular.
You can guess the logic coming from those conclusions.
mr M
santa fe