One of my assignments in the classical music fellowship in New York I'm participating in is to write a think piece about a contemporary issue. My topic is the new live high-definition Metropolitan Opera broadcasts that have become such a hit in movie theaters across the country. I had an opportunity to talk with Peter Gelb, the new director of the Met, and ask him about the impact of the program. What I'd love to do is use the immediacy of the Internet to find someone to add some "Fresno flavor" to the story. Are there any fans of the HD broadcasts at Edwards out there? If so, it'd be great if you could answer any or all of the following questions via the comments section.
- What are your thoughts about the quality and impact of the HD screenings?
- Are you a longtime opera fan, or did these broadcasts introduce you to the art form?
- Do you think the live aspect is crucial? Do you find yourself participating in the rituals of live performance, i.e. applause, discussing the show with others around you during intermission, etc.?
- Do you think these live broadcasts could compete with local opera companies and make it less likely for people to attend live performances? Or is it a beneficial situation all around?
I'm on a very tight deadline here, alas, so I need any responses by late Saturday night. You might make it into the Bee story that I'm sure will arise from this.
Thanks!
I've been attending the opera broadcasts for quite awhile. I absolutely love that I have the chance to see these world class performances on my Saturday morning. In fact, today my mother and I sat through the four hour Aida and just loved it. It was of particular importance for us to see Aida because when I was little we would watch Operas that were aired early in the morning; Aida was the first one we ever saw and we fell in love.
The live aspect is a lot of fun but I saw one of the re-aired operas this summer and didn't have an issue. The interviews and pre-show are a wonderful aspect I wouldn't want to lose. What I find the most entertaining is the audience. Everyone is very chatty and wants to share the experience. People clap, laugh, cry, and jeer we discuss how we feel about what is going on, our personal experiences with the opera and even life stories. Today for instance, I sat next to a woman who attended outdoor operas in Verona in the 60's when she lived there with her enlisted husband and family, The price of which were $10. She said the most beautiful thing she has ever seen is the valley just as you come over the grapevine.
I have attended and performed in many Fresno Grand Opera productions (which by the way are a treasure) It is my belief that the live broadcasts only help raise interest in the local productions, especially now that we are getting Met performers on our stage. (Marcello Giordani will be in two of the upcoming broadcasts) The FGO always has handbills for the shows and often has chorus members there handing out fliers and promoting upcoming productions. I would hate to lose these broadcasts, my mother wants to write a thank you note to the Neubauer (sp?) family, she loves them so much.
Have a blast in New York. I am jealous of your opportunity for sure.
Thanks for commenting, Lisi! You really helped me out. I'm having this piece critiqued by Dan Wakin, classical music reporter for The New York Times, and it's great to be able to add a local voice.
Glad to hear that "Aida" was such a worthwhile experience, too.
I am relatively new to opera, but am completely in love with it!
I've only been to the HD broadcasts from the Met, starting in December of '08. I love the experience. It gives the viewer an opportunity to experience a world class opera at a more accessible level. I've told nearly every person I know about the HD broadcasts, and have gotten a few of them turned onto the concept. My favorite part of the HD broadcasts the interviews with the cast and crew members, done before the show and backstage during intermissions. I also love the different cameras used during a performance, allowing the viewer to get a close up look at the action. In my opinion, the quality is excellent. I've only ever seen very minor technical issues which were quickly corrected!
While I like that I am seeing a live performance, I don't feel compelled to clap after an aria, or at the end of the performance.
I don't feel that the Met's HD performances compete with the local opera. I am more likely to go to a local opera performance than I was before attending an HD show. This is due to a couple of different factors. One, I now know more of what to expect from an opera. I'm not afraid of not being able to understand what is happening, or feeling out of place. Two, I have more interest in experiencing opera. I want to see more of them. I don't want to limit myself to only the operas that the Met chooses to show on HD.
Thanks for the opportunity to provide input!
Hi Donald,
Personally, I think the Met broadcasts at the Edwards are just fine, and serve to deepen Fresno audience's relationship with an art form that's too expensive to produce on a regular basis in Fresno.
But I also need to comment that of the performances at Edwards that I've seen, it strikes me that the color always seems washed out, or that the broadcast lighting is insufficient. Maybe it's not really the "high definition" it's advertised to be. In contrast, the delayed broadcasts when viewed on KVPT in high definition are vastly superior in terms of clarity and color.
You might ask this question of the experts. It seems to me that more technical work is needed to make the live telecasts at the movie theaters that more satisfying.
Don Reinhold
Fresno Philharmonic