Just thought you opera buffs would like the latest data (or up-data!) I just received from the Metropolitan. Seems the Live-in-HD-at-the-Movies Series is now at a record 1,900 Theatres in 60 countries.
Not bad, for this beloved art form that was said to be dying. The demise was not only supposed because of lack of interest on the part of an audience that was said to be shrinking away from any serious music -- preferring any form of rock -- but is also attributed to the incredible cost of producing opera.
And there is much truth to the latter argument. Small opera companies throughout the United States, have to sell out every performance to survive. That often drives them to restricting their repertories to war-horses like Tosca and Boheme. Not that there is anything wrong with those wonderful Puccini triumphs, but it hardly leads to expansion of their audiences.
Evidently, in other countries, opera is still supported by governments and public support is very strong as well.
The Met’s HD affordable ticket prices enable American audiences to enjoy the best casts, the ever-so-amazing orchestra, interesting (if sometimes over-the-top-modernized) productions, and delightfully entertaining intermission features.
This season’s intermission interviews of Divas, Maestros and let’s coin the designation: “Divos,” will be in the hands of Joyce DiDonato, Renee Fleming, Susan Graham, Eric Owens, Sondra Radvanovsky, and Deborah Voigt. (Note, I carefully listed them alphabetically, avoiding any mistakenly telegraphed Diva, Divo* status!)
These world-renowned hosts will introduce us to casts, crews, and production teams and guide us through features that, judging from past experience, truly entertain the eye, ear and brain.
Hope you were able to get the HD tickets you wanted. If you did not, remember, the recorded “Encores” are on Wednesday evenings, approximately 18 days from their original Saturday Matinee, totally live, performances.
See you at our “Opening Matinee:” Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, on October 13, 2012 at 12:55 our ES time.
* It dawns on me that the designation of "Divo" is such a natural, that others may have come up with it before me. If so, I plead innocence. I am not aware of any earlier mention.
