What Should City Opera Do Now?
A revived New York City Opera? I don’t see it happening — it would take beaucoup bucks. And even if the current plans succeed in reviving the thing, ongoing costs to produce opera, the most expensive performing-art form, are killing. The New Yorker suggests what should happen if the resurrection does take place: ‘A revived City Opera could take on not only the old company’s name but also much of its former agenda: developing young American singers, nurturing homegrown composers, and mounting theatrically innovative productions.’ The first opera in this revival process, “Tosca,” isn’t exactly a daring choice.
