Opera Commisions

Why is it that major symphony orchestras are commissioning more new operas than the major opera companies?
The short answer is that there are actually more major orchestras than there are major opera companies. The second short answer is that in general, American symphony orchestras are slightly more adventurous than their counterpoints in opera. That's sad.

The good news is that a Pulitzer has been handed out for a new opera, Madame White Snake, which is very exciting and I sincerely hope this helps it break into some of the major houses. I would think that San Fransisco and New York (City or Met) would have an interest in it given the cross cultural connections of the story and those cities. Once a set and costumes are constructed other cities could then go about renting the production and remount it, one of the ways operas spread and costs are cut.

Here is the story in the Boston Globe
Work commissioned by Opera Boston wins Pulitzer - Culture Desk - An Entertainment and cultural blog by The Boston Globe

Now if The Importance of Being Earnest (see my previous blog) won a Pulitzer that would really be something. I guess we'll wait and see.

While I think any fan of new opera is absolutely thrilled that these major players are commissioning operas, I think most would agree that opera is something that needs to be fully produced (costumes, staging, dance, sets, etc.) to be truly experienced. The word opera is the plural form of opus which essentially means "work" or perhaps "creation". Composers often will number there works "opus number ..." to denote what order there pieces were written. The collected works of a composer are called their "opera" though that term is little used today because in American English we have such a strong connection with a certain artform. Still, the roots are there.

Opera (as an art-form) is a collection of several different creative works; the musical composition, vocalists, instrumentalists, visual artists (set-design, construction, lighting, etc), actors and often dancers, all in one. In some ways it is the culmination of "classical music" maybe even a the high point of western culture from 1750-1900. Any how, I think opera still has something to give is and will only die when it stops being new so I'm glad that there is new opera out there.