steel yourselves
Our Own JJ takes to the airwaves this afternoon to yak about the new regime at NYCO. He’ll be on “Soundcheck” on WNYC between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. La Cieca is told that George Steel himself will also be on the program, so she will caution JJ to be sparing in his use of the word “dick.”
In fact, the word “dick” may soon be used not at all, if the reaction of at least one NYCO staffer to Steel’s introductory meeting this morning holds true. La Cieca hears that the new GD’s brief remarks were “auspicious and well-received” and the staffer even sounded cautiously optimistic: “If he’s true to his words, I think sunnier days are ahead for NYCO.”
Not sure how much of a “fresh start” Steel thinks is neccesary since he articulated a master plan no different from what Robin Thompson has been doing.
Steel is a fan of Thompson’s work, he said last night he attended “many, many, many, many” NYCO performances in the dozen years (prior to Dallas) that he lived in NYC. One of our own posters, Alto, claims he saw Steel there a lot last season. So he must have been impressed with “Vanessa” and “Margaret Garner” both Rt’s creations and
“King Arthur” something imported from ENO. Also I guess Domingo is a fan too since the National Opera bought NYCOs 2001 “Flying Dutchman” which Mortier was going to throw out!
Hello sirens… I have it from a well-positioned authority that Mr. Steel’s Dallas departure was not so dramatic — actually about as the public voices told it, and there is no enmity lurking in act 2.
Well that’s interesting, the phrase I heard last night was his departure brought “a new kind of joy” to Dallas; because they were sick of him already.
Opera is a small world, if you had your eyes open last night you saw high level people from a number of other opera companies (not the Met), as well as big agents (maybe the biggest) and managers (also biggies). The stories that are passing amongst those people re: Steel in Dallas would curl your hair! These people are honestly shocked at his ascension and amused and angered by his antics in Dallas.
Understandable since most leaders of opera companies (ja ja Gelb I know, but remember he has retained Volpe’s Artistic, Musical and Technical Directors and made a new Ast Manager position and filled it with a Met Alum) have actually worked at an Opera Co.
Past is past though, we need NYCO. NYCO seems to think they need Steel. Despite all I wish I had a million dollars to lay out to help NYCO survive. Also, sad to say, I hope they have a plan B, or C:)
Ah, the grapes of wrath are especially sour this year!
Robin Thompson’s last day of employ at NYCO was Jan. 16th, punctuated by an emotional and heartfelt thank you by e mail to everyone who had helped keep NYCO viable and alive the last decade.