 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2014-01-30 14:58
Down 20% from last year's season. NYC opera has shut- down permanently. Tough times for classical music.
richard smith
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-01-31 00:18
I think it very sad but they may be pricing themselves out of todays market. Many people still unemployed or on part time jobs and wages not keeping pace with expenses for the average music lover. NY is an expensice place to live. How many middle class people with children to support can afford those tickets. Of course they do have those movie presentations now for several live performances, that must bring in a lot of income to make up for the lose of income.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-01-31 00:51
The tickets for the new New World Symphony are also out of most people's reach. The cheapest tickets available for this week's performance of Tschiakovsky's 6th Symphony are just shy of $100 per. My good friend who used to be a star tenor at the New York City Opera, Mr. Lankston remarks that the latest set design of the Mets' Wagner's Ring Cycle cost more than several years' budget was for NYC Opera used to be. I was shocked to hear that Eglevsky Ballet that I danced for in 1977 spent $100,000 for a single Picasso designed backdrop back then. Personally, I'd be happy to spend $35 to $60 for a prized ticket but when prices reach $250 for a fair seat, I'd say things are out of control.
By the way, Mr. Gelb's good friend kicked me in the balls in 1970 while Peter just watched and said nothing. I know I shouldn't hold it against the Met but I must admit to a little left over bitterness.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2014-01-30 22:30
I worked in the set shop for the Boston Opera (with Sarah Caldwell). I remember one set cost $250,000. This was for four performances. The set could be rented out or reused. But still….
Steve Ocone
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-01-31 02:54
Balanchine figured out that people ultimately come to see the ballet for the dance and to hear the music. He choreographed many ballets with little or no scenery and his company prospered as a result. Some of the enormous focus on sets for operas is unavoidable because these are classic pieces set in traditional ways, but when Eglevsky ballet paid $100,000 for a Picasso designed backdrop that was little more than a 8 foot diameter circle painted on wing to wing solid backdrop, while his dancers in the mid 70's were still making a less than $300 a week, I call it economic suicide. It cost many millions for the Met's ride of the Valkires modern set. The point was to make a single set so bizarre that people would pay anything just to see it. I'd love to see it too, but I can't afford $500 for my wife and I just to have a look.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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