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From: James Swanton <swanton@aecom.yu.edu>
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Subject: opera, society, whatnot (fwd) MORE OPERA LISTSERV
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Cynthia Becht writes:
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From: Cynthia Becht <ECZ5BEC@UCLAMVS.bitnet>
Subject: opera, society, whatnot
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Okay since Tom wants to learn more about opera - and I do too!! - I'd like
to pursue a couple comments.

Ric said:
                 opera was, should be, and in fact can be a POPULAR art
form when approached correctly in production, performance, and marketing.
It has, unfortunately, become more of a social event in our country.


I agree about the "should" and "can" be... but, when has opera ever been a
POPULAR art?  Wasn't it always a social event?  Certainly in the previous
century people went to the opera "to be seen" and not merely "to see"... you
can read all sorts of accounts in Tolstoy, Flaubert, etc. on how society
people flock to that center of excitement and pay very scant attention to
the action on stage... the action of interest happening in the theater boxes.
I know opera has also been extremely popular in Italy during that same time....
is Italy an exception?  I'd like to know other people's opinions about
opera's historical role in society - whether it was more popular or more of
an event.  And how or if we differ today.


As a parting, I just can't let pass Didier's comment that opera is "an
acquired taste" and that "certain effort" must be made "in order to gain
enjoyment".  I'm glad Didier think's it's worth it... but as I said in my
little opera-autobiography yesterday, I hear people say that all the time,
and I don't believe in it being universally true.  Unless you allow that
acquired taste may have occurred at so young an age that no effort was
felt... I "acquired" opera by having it seep under my skin before I even
knew there was other music out there... and if I ever made any efforts it
was to try and like other kinds of music.  Ah well.

I do agree with the mentions that young people need to be reached and shown
that it is an art form as expressive (IMHO more) any other and not just
a symbolic appendage to elitist glitz.


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