Did No One Else Hear This?

NY Post: Page Six
December 18th, 2008
WE HEAR...
"THAT Placido Domingo is being touted as the next general manager of the Metropolitan Opera should Peter Gelb depart. The tenor would presumably quit his posts at the Washington National Opera and the LA Opera."


Did no one else see this on one of the most notorious gossip pages presumably in the country? Or am I the only gossip hound in the opera blogosphere?
However, I digress. The main point here is for me to say: WHAT THE HELL, PETER GELB, WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT?
You just got here, for crying out loud! I don't mean to be rude, but quite frankly (if Peter Gelb doesn't mean to retire right away) wouldn't Placido Domingo be too old to take his place? I love him, I really do, but he has two other opera companies and I don't think it would be fair to them and their fans if he picked up and left them for the Met.
Peter Gelb leaving the Met was not on my radar at all until I saw this little blurb. Why would he leave? Why would he do this to us?
Yes, granted, the Met has been through some trying economic times, but isn't that part of the process of change? You need the valley to get to the mountain, right? That's no reason to ditch the whole project.

I'm getting ahead of myself. This is, after all, a gossip column. This could be totally fictitious in every way, shape, and form.
It's late, I'll revisit this in the morning.... or after Christmas.



Happy Listening!!!!!!
AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!! =) =) =)

Bartlett Sher is Off The Hook and Peter Gelb: "Ghost"buster

Michael Kaiser, the head of the Kennedy Center, is the savior of New York City Opera.
He has promised to assist NYCO in finding a new leader while helping schedule the 2009-2010 season. It is made very clear in the AP report that Michael Kaiser will not be the next general manager/artistic director. He is only helping NYCO and guiding them into a new, and hopefully extremely exciting, era.
So, WWBD?? She'd find someone to help her beloved company. Good work, Bubbles. =)


IN OTHER NEWS:

It seems that New York City Opera isn't the only opera company at Lincoln Center to be feeling the effects of our economic crisis. The long awaited Met revival of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles has been cancelled for, of course, financial reasons. The opera, that was supposed to show next season, was going to star Thomas Hampson, Angela Gheorghiu, and Kristin Chenoweth. Hampson and Gheorghiu will instead star in La Traviata, which will replace Ghosts. We have no report of Chenoweth, we figure she's "pop-u-lar" enough to find a new project.
Peter Gelb has said, however, that none of next season's new productions will be cut.
Personally, I don't think he should make any promises about that. New productions are expensive and God knows how this economic situation will play out in the next few months.



Happy Listening!! =)

Who Can Save City Opera? and WWBD?

While sitting here going through tissue after tissue with probably the worst cold since tuberculosis I received the bad news the Gerard Mortier is officially "parting ways" with the New York City Opera. While some people foresaw this, I, being the idealist that I am, thought this talk of backing out would blow over and Mortier would make NYCO into a major house for modern works.
I should have seen it coming. The lay-offs. The co-directorship at Bayreuth. I just thought this was temporary. Silly, silly CaroNome.

What New York City Opera needs right now is a Peter Gelb. An influential businessperson who knows how to fundraise and get the crowds excited. They need Peter Gelb's marketing genius. This brings me to my next point:

Bartlett Sher's Obligation to Lincoln Center
Since we know that Peter Gelb could never double dip and help out NYCO (being the Met's "little sibling across the plaza"), I think that as the new director of the Lincoln Center Theater Bartlett Sher could take a temporary position as director of NYCO. He can learn from Peter Gelb's genius, take his own directing genius and put it together to put NYCO back on its feet. When they find another Mortier to take over, he can go back to just running the Lincoln Center Theater.


I have another point:
Poor Bubbles, she's rolling in her grave...
What could be worse. Only a year after her devastating death, her beloved opera company is going up in smoke. If only she was here, she would know what to do. She'd either beat Mortier into the ground, Sills-style, and make him stick to his promise using her charm and convincing Brooklyn attitude or just take over again. We need to ask ourselves "What would Bubbles do?" WWBD?


There's my two cents. Now NYCO needs to run with its own ideas and get itself together!
I hope things work out. It would be heartbreaking to see anything happen to such a wonderful company.



Happy Listening!!! =)

A Message From Peter Gelb, And A Message To Peter Gelb

On August 22nd I received the following email from the Metropolitan Opera. It was followed by a hard copy sent by mail of the same letter.

"Dear Subscriber:
Monday, August 11, was a frustrating day for opera lovers who came to the box office for the first day of our priority period for subscribers and patrons. We should have done a better job communicating new information about the more limited availability of tickets for exchange. Because you and our other subscribers are a vital part of the company, I would like to apologize for the inconvenience this caused.
Four seasons ago, the Met introduced instant ticket exchanges, an unusual measure begun at a time when subscriptions were faltering and ticket sales declining. Now that the company is beginning to thrive again at the box office, such a policy is difficult to sustain. Since we want our subscribers to be happy, some exchanges continue to be available. We've also added the opportunity for subscribers and patrons to buy single tickets before the general public.
I am proud that the Met is doing more for opera lovers than ever before—including numerous free public events, a rush–ticket program, more new productions, and our transmissions into movie theaters, on public television, and on the radio.
I appreciate that many of you have taken the time to share your thoughts, and I regret the confusion that took place on August 11. We are working to make sure that next season things will run much more smoothly and are very grateful for your loyalty and passionate interest in the Met.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Peter Gelb
General Manager"

I was not at the Met on this apparently very "frustrating day." I'm glad I wasn't there, from what I hear it was an absolute nightmare!

However, I didn't post this letter to complain about the situation on August 11th. I'm posting this letter in response to the new ticket exchange program for subscribers.
I was so grateful to have an exchange program like the Met's. It made everything easy and I got to see every opera that I could possibly want! I didn't want to see War and Peace? That's fine, I can see La Traviata instead! (hypothetical) It was also great for new subscribers, or people new to opera. They (probably) have no idea the importance of Eugene Onegin, but they know all about La Boheme! So they can see that instead. It was a wonderful process, but it was changed this season.
This season there is an exchange fee and you can't exchange your tickets online. You must exchange by mail or in person at the box office. I guess the free online exchange

I did some research and here's what I came up with :
(these are just the opera houses I researched, other opera houses may have different policies

Opera Houses Without Exchange Programs
Teatro La Fenice
Teatro Alla Scala
Teatro Real
Glyndebourne
Mariinsky Theatre

Opera Houses With Exchange Fees
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Royal Opera House

Opera Houses With Free Ticket Exchange
Washington National Opera (first two exchanges are free)
Gran Teatro del Liceu

Note: None of these opera houses let you exchange online.


I guess we're lucky to have an exchange program at all, but let's face it those opera houses don't have the assortment of operas to choose from like the Met does. At the Met you don't get all the operas in one subscription, you get 6-8 out of 24 operas. So, isn't the Met a special case?
I could just be an annoying whiner, but I'm sure other people share my views.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings.


Happy Listening!!! =)

The Inevitable- Cancellations

Cancellation numero uno:

Anna Netrebko underestimated the time she would need with her new baby before returning to the stage. As a result, she has cancelled her scheduled performances of Mimi at the Met. Maija Kovalevska is going to replace the Trebster in those performances. However, La Trebs will still be singing her scheduled Lucia's at the Met.


Cancellation numero deux/trois:

Despite the amazing advertisements and super cool pictures, Salvatore Licitra will not be singing Manrico in the Met's brand new Trovatore. Marcelo Alvarez will be this season's Manrico (the run starts February 16th). This means that Alvarez will have to cancel Adriana Lecouvreur, but never fear! TBA is here! Old reliable "to be announced" has replaced Marcelo Alvarez as Maurizio until further notice.



Happy Listening!!! =)

How Will YOU Find Your Way To The Box Office?

Did anyone else see the humor in the Met's new link on their website: "Lincoln Center Construction: How to Find the Box Office"? You can look at it and say "Oh look, they're being so helpful!" Or you can look at it and laugh and say "Haha! Look at them taking a jab at the people who thought up this construction!"
Does Lincoln Center really need all those improvements at once? It definitely ruins the overall awe-inspiring affect of the plaza. Not only for the many tourists who go there daily, but for the veteran Lincoln Center goers. I personally don't like seeing my (yes "my") fountain and plaza torn apart. Not all at once, anyway. Do the front of the Lincoln Center Theater after the plaza is done, or vice versa!
Plus, the idea of not having it in tip-top shape for Renee's Big Opening Night is frustrating to say the least.


So how will YOU get to the Met Box Office?

On West 62nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, through the underpass/garage,
On West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, through the underpass by the Vivian Beaumont Theater stage door,
OR from Columbus Avenue, via the lobby of Avery Fisher Hall

You decide.



Happy Listening!!! =)

PS. Michael Phelps is a god.

Opera's Biggest Stars Singing Through the Smog in Beijing

The "Divas in Beijing" concert, which is apparently one of the highlights of the "Meet in Beijing 2008 Olympic Arts Festival", will feature our most treasured opera stars. This includes, of course, Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu, Dmitri Hvorostovky, Marcello Giordani, and others.
Angela Gheorghiu will start the string of concerts on August 7th, the day before the Olympics officially start. She will be accompanied by the China National Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Emmanuel Villaume. All the concerts will be at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.


As cool as this may sound right now, this could have some serious effects on the singers. I'm very worried about all the singers (the athletes, too, of course) going through the smog in Beijing and the terrible pollution all around that area. I'm especially worried (as we surely all are) about Renee. It would be dreadful if the conditions should threaten her voice for the big Renee Opening Night Gala at the Met. (=]) It's a potentially disastrous situation for all the singers, but the Met (I'm sorry-- the Renee) Opening Night can't be spoiled because of the Olympics. Pardon my saying so, but Rondine, Trovatore, and La Damnation de Faust can't all be robbed of their lead singers because of a little smog and pollution!
In all seriousness, I'm concerned for the health (and vocal longevity) of all of the singers participating. (Once again, I'm concerned for the athletes as well.) At least they will be inside for the concerts, but I hope they don't breath in too many harmful fumes. I don't want anything terrible to happen just before, or during, what promises to be an exciting season in many opera houses around the world.


Happy Listening!!! =)

Tomorrow: The SAT II's, The Next Day: The World

Tomorrow are the SAT II's (aka every students nightmare) which are some of the hardest tests I/we will ever take in my/our life/lives. I've decided (psh) to take the Global History and the Chemistry exams...The chem was probably a mistake, but we'll see what happens!!!!!!
I'm about to go study for a billion hours, so I'm not allowed to post anything super significant until they are done and I've recovered (give it a day or two).
I promise I'll be back with some great things ie. Dudamel Tribute, Opera Exam, etc. (I mentioned those before, I think.)

Until then...
Happy Listening!!! =)

PS. Wish me luck!!!!!

Johan Botha "Too Fat" for the Vienna State Opera

Ouch.


More at Mostly Opera...
More at The Opera Tattler



Happy Listening????

"Abduction"'s Endless Sparkling and Wagner Retires

The New York Times review of "Abduction from Seraglio" in three sentences:
Diana Damrau's singing, acting, and person in general was sparkling. The rest of the cast sparkled brilliantly also. They lit up the city with said sparkling.

In case you want to read the actual review, here it is. Mine is better though. Nah nah.



Wolfgang Wagner has resigned from his position as head of the Bayreuth opera festival. He was head for at least 57 years, to my understanding. It is not clear who is taking over the festival, Katharina or Eva. After Katharina's disaster a few months ago, I'm sort of voting in the other direction. Having said that, I don't know what kind of person Eva is, so I won't judge. I'll leave it open for the Wagnerites to shed blood over. Not being a Wagnerite, I will stay out of it.



Happy Listening!!! =)

Met in the Park Gone (After My First Season!) And My Summer Plans Are in Sudden Disaray!

So after last summer's performance I vowed to go every year to the Met in the Parks concerts. Now that I planned my whole summer around going (not really... hyperbole is my specialty!) Mr. Gelb is cancelling them (for good?), but have no fear! The Alagnas are here! They're doing a concert (not a full length opera) in Prospect Park.

This is a big scale down (even though Mr. Gelb would have us supposed otherwise) and according to some it's due to the "financial troubles" (total Rumor Patrol) that the Met has been having. If that's the case then scale it down! We'll just miss all the history and tradition that goes along with the park concerts. =(

NOTE: This is not a reproach on Mr. Gelb. He has done so many great things for the Met. The Sirius Radio, the HD movie transmissions, the press... The list goes on! We can't expect these things to pop out of thin air and not cost a significant amount of money. I still support Peter Gelb. We can't turn on him (I'm not saying anyone has, I'm just warning) because of this. He knew that it would take some time to pay all of this off. Yes. Of course! I just hope that he can continue with the great things he has planned for our glorious temple of opera.
Viva Peter Gelb!
Viva!


Happy Listening!!! =)