The Met at the Movies
I have to admit to underestimating the appeal of the live Metropolitan Opera moviecasts. I've attended two, both "encore" presentations and was surprised at both. The Magic Flute rebroadcast was the first and filled two screens (in a 20-plex) to capacity. The audiences were enthusiastic and my experience (despite some sub-standard sound) was positive.
My second was The First Emperor which was predictably more sparsely attended. Yet I was surprised that no one left mid opera (although some took a popcorn break at the intermission) and the response from the attendees was generally positive. Which is how I would describe my experience (the sound was better, but not perfect) if not my reaction to the work itself.
My reaction to the apparent success of this venture is mixed. It is certainly a good move by the Met which brings its product to a wider audience in a more controlled environment than a TV telecast (which had virtually disappeared until this new venture resurrected it). It essentially recreates the Spring Tour of days long gone and brings high-quality opera to places that may not have that opportunity.
And yet, it also brings it to places that do. And there is the rub. No doubt the Met Development department will try to capitalize on this and reach this audience for its fundraising efforts. This might have the effect of syphoning funds from local opera companies, which already compete with the Met as "America's Opera Company" through the Saturday broadcasts. The ubiquitous (and long-lived by Internet standards) Opera-L is decidedly Met-centric and has adopted these moviecasts, as well as the Sirius broadcasts as a major source of discussion.
Let's just not let the Met supplant the local opera companies that grew to replace the absence of the Spring Tour. Local supporters must continue to support their local opera because nothing beats the live experience.
My second was The First Emperor which was predictably more sparsely attended. Yet I was surprised that no one left mid opera (although some took a popcorn break at the intermission) and the response from the attendees was generally positive. Which is how I would describe my experience (the sound was better, but not perfect) if not my reaction to the work itself.
My reaction to the apparent success of this venture is mixed. It is certainly a good move by the Met which brings its product to a wider audience in a more controlled environment than a TV telecast (which had virtually disappeared until this new venture resurrected it). It essentially recreates the Spring Tour of days long gone and brings high-quality opera to places that may not have that opportunity.
And yet, it also brings it to places that do. And there is the rub. No doubt the Met Development department will try to capitalize on this and reach this audience for its fundraising efforts. This might have the effect of syphoning funds from local opera companies, which already compete with the Met as "America's Opera Company" through the Saturday broadcasts. The ubiquitous (and long-lived by Internet standards) Opera-L is decidedly Met-centric and has adopted these moviecasts, as well as the Sirius broadcasts as a major source of discussion.
Let's just not let the Met supplant the local opera companies that grew to replace the absence of the Spring Tour. Local supporters must continue to support their local opera because nothing beats the live experience.
posted by Rich Russell at
10:05 PM
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