A letter to New York City Opera

Dear City Opera,
First and foremost, congratulations! You are finally out of the towering omnipresence of the Metropolitan Opera; unfortunately, they no longer have you as their constant reminder of what the people's opera should be.

You are leaving Lincoln Center- a tourist wonder that produces marvelous classical works with a new theatre newly built to support your needs. You won't have the classical Illuminati at your beck and call, perhaps; but, you will have freedom to be the opera company you should be. A true people's opera- a cooperative of good, smart musical works told the old fashion way, with good singing, good acting, simple sets and costumes. And, finally, allowing the story to be told in a theatrical context and not a multi-media one.

I hope your new home supports these ideas. With the onslaught of media every where we look, wouldn't it be refreshing to NY audiences to see sung theatre? Imagine the possibilities of stripping it all down and letting the music tell its story...not conductors, not singers, not directors and certainly not administrators and their marketing directors. Perhaps if you let good theatre be, people will come the old fashion and secured way- word of mouth.

Finally, regarding your friends, the unions. I certainly hope American Guild of Musical Artists leaves you alone. You create jobs for singers and its apparent you don't have a lot of money right now. So I hope they continue to let you create and keep jobs and not at the cost of their ego. And, Local 1, they are great people and their work is important - but I hope they are careful at what they wish for. This could be the beginning of their demise because by letting you leave, they are telling the world they don't care about you or the arts in general. And, your old buddy, Lincoln Center- we get it, operational costs are skyrocketing and going with the highest bidder is the smart choice. But the arts is your bread and butter, too- and soon there will be no audience left who understands how important classical arts are.

Best of luck to you, City Opera! I hope you enjoy your new digs! I am excited to come to your housewarming party.

Your friend,
Courtenay

PS- I would love it if you visited me in Brooklyn!