The Man with the Golden Ear
The amazing acute hearing of Anthony Tommasini detects an improvement in the acoustic of that place they used to call the New York State Theater, in fact, he’s willing to commit that the sound is “considerably better than it used to be.”
Which is pretty fucking impressive, considering that the last time TT heard an “unenhanced” opera performance in that space was more than 10 years ago.
La Cieca wonders, just what was Tony’s golden yardstick for measuring purity of aural experience? Could it have been Madama Butterfly with Oksana Krovytska and Barton Green under the baton of Guido Johannes Rumstadt? (How long ago was that, you ask? It was the NYCO premiere of the Mark Lamos production of this opera, that how long ago it was.) Was it Le nozze di Figaro featuring a “strapping” Dean Ely? (”As an actor he was hearty, yet light on his feet…”) Or could it have been the “naked splendor” production of Orfeo ed Euridice?
Ten years is a long time, but apparently not for this Mary Tudor of reviewers, after whose death, La Cieca suspects, we will find “acoustical enhancement” written on his breast.
“While I’m ignorant of the sentiments of his [David H. Koch's] inmost heart, he certainly gave a very good impersonation — at the dinner after the opening gala — of someone very much engaged with the success of City Opera.”
Actions speak louder than words.
“No Koch Float for NYC Opera
David Koch is funding a renovation of New York City Opera’s home, and that’s enough. His $100 million donation will transform the New York State Theater—home to City Opera and New York City Ballet—into the David H. Koch Theater, and he feels bad about the opera’s financial and administrative mess. But he isn’t planning to bail it out. “I hope they can deal with this situation successfully, but I think what I have done for the theater is plenty,” the billionaire (whom Forbes ranks the second-richest New Yorker, after Mayor Bloomberg) said at the opening-night gala for the ballet on November 25″
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/52592/
Read more: David Koch Won’t Bail Out New York City Opera — New York Magazine http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/52592/#ixzz0Yc0t6Rcw
(Sorry I couldn’t get these to transmit as links)
No one wanted to bail out the opera dragged into a financial morass by a stupid, inadequate board.
Koch was completely within his rights not to wish to fund their downfall when he had all ready laid out a hundred mil to fix a house in serious disrepair.
“I have no idea how your mention of City Center has to do with anything at this point.”
City Center of Music and Drama, Inc. The nonprofit corporation whose mission is to maintain and operate the David H.Koch Theater for the presentation of the performing arts, primarily dance and opera.