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Date: | Wed, 24 Mar 1999 12:28:00 -0800 |
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Steve Schwartz writes:
>I've seen concert-goers walk out on Nielsen, early Stravinsky, Mahler,
>Vaughan Williams, Bernstein, Shostakovich, and Beethoven. I've seen
>concert-goers walk out in droves before the music was even played, simply
>because they didn't recognize the name on the program.
Quick anecdote: Last summer at the Santa Fe Opera I attended the
American premiere of Lidholm's "A Dream Play". Now I am a modern CM fan
so my tolerance is higher than most, and the opera WAS a bit surreal and
dissonant. But I found it delightful and (relatively) accessable (compared
to say, Lutoslawski or something). But almost half the audience left at
the intermission. I was astounded! Hagegard & McNair were the leads,
the sound was great, something brand-spanking new, and the place was
half-deserted by halftime. It was even in English! Lidholm himself was
there, and I felt a bit embarrassed about American CM audiences. Why bring
your new opera to Santa Fe if the ignorant audience won't appreciate it
anyway? How frustrating.
Bob K.
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