The Metropolitan Opera recently named Italian conductor Fabio Luisi its principal guest conductor—only the second time a conductor has held the title. Although the three year contract is unrelated to James Levine’s recent absences due to illness, Luisi will act as the go-to conductor for any future performances Levine may miss.
Maestro Luisi has periodically conducted at the Met since 2005, and was already scheduled to lead several performances next season. He is currently the chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and is scheduled to become the music director of the Zurich Opera in 2012. His post as principal guest conductor will both allow him to become more familiar with the company and its orchestra, and act as reassurance for the staff in the event of any further absences. Peter Gelb, The Met’s general manager, acknowledges that while Luisi has the expertise to succeed James Levine, that scenario is not yet a consideration. Neither Gelb, or Luisi have any anticipation of Levine stepping down, and assert that the Met can simply enjoy its newest resident Maestro.
via The New York Times.
Posts Tagged ‘The Met’
Met Names Principal Guest Conductor
British Woman Donates Fortune to the Met, Bird Group
Mona Webster, a British woman living in Edinburgh who passed away at 96 last August, decreed that the majority of her fortune be split between two organizations which represented her greatest interests: the Metropolitan Opera and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
Webster was born on the Isle of Man in 1913, where her father was a lighthouse keeper. She first discovered her love for birds when she moved to Scotland as a girl, and was later introduced to opera via the Met’s Saturday afternoon broadcasts. The Met’s director of planned and special gifts, Gail Chesler, said that Ms. Webster remembered Saturday broadcasts as far back as 1939.
Webster had been in contact with Met representatives since 2000 when she was invited to New York for an opening night performance following a generous donation. She had attended performances prior to 2000 with opera tour groups however, which established her connection to the organization and prompted her to write the $7.5 million donation into her will. Needless to say, her generosity will not only boost the opera company but also serve to illustrate the boundless audience that art, music, and nature all inspire.
Source: NY Times.
Villazón Returns for 2010 Season
Will Bring Voice With Him
Tenor Rolando Villazón announced on his website that he will return to the stage in 2010, after having to cancel the remainder of his 2009 season in April to treat a cyst on his vocal chords.
Villazón was scheduled to sing at the Met last year, but was forced to cancel due to his surgery. The video on his site is full of excitement and gratitude for supporters, and Villazón tells fans to keep an eye out for his soon-to-be released 2010 schedule.
Warm wishes and good luck to Mr. Villazón for his recovery and return to his art. Source: WQXR.
A Night At The Met: Verdict – They Still Got It
And Renée Flemming is still beautiful
Most news coming from the Metropolitan Opera these days has not been uplifting. From the boos toward director Luc Bondy after Tosca, to the similar signs of vexation shown to maestro Daniele Gatti after Aida, this native New Yorker is a tad worried that we are developing a penchant for being hard impossible to please. Could this reputation possibly prevent performers from coming to New York? Probably not, since New York is “where dreams are made,” after all. However, I’m afraid we may yet become known as a city full of critics—not the art lovers and appreciators we are. Because I had not yet visited my favorite opera house this season, I splurged and purchased tickets for myself and a musician-colleague to Friday night’s performance of Der Rosenkavalier featuring Renée Fleming.
Perhaps it was the mediocre review given by the New York Times on Tuesday’s opening night, the flowing negativity for the other two productions currently at the venue, or the absence of James Levine, but let’s just say that I was hesitant to purchase last-minute-tickets for the sold out show (thanks to allshows.com for the tickets, but damn you for the 200% inflation without even delivering them to will-call). Upon arriving and immediately ordering champagne with the last of my cash, I took my seat.
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