Steve Schwartz wrote: >I predict, in spite of the high-profile talent, that not one significant >opera will be produced (leaving aside John Adams) that will break into >even the ghetto-rep that is modern opera. It's a fairly safe prediction. Hummm...Significant: Full of meaning or import... Well I guess it depends...I believe great significance will be made of some of these works...yet, in the long run, perhaps with my cynical nature getting the best of me, I wonder if audiences want significant works. Thinking back on the history of the MET, I am reminded of the few American operas they did. I would like to see some revivals: Hanson's Merry Mount; Gruenberg's Emperor Jones; Barber's Vanessa and perhaps the MET should do right by Barber's Antony and Cleopatra and give it a production worthy of that magnificent score and not butcher it like they did at the first performances...etc. When I thought about the American opera done at the MET, I went to their WEB site. I found it interesting that, depending on the portion of the archives you search, the composer's name is not included in the register. Thinking about all of this, I wondered what might I do if I could plan a season...including at least one commission. A cursory glance tells me that there are about 28 titles being offered this season. Ok, so I don't know things like what productions are available, costs, etc...but I wonder, from just the standpoint of repertoire, what would it take to get me to the opera...say...what 20 operas would I like to hear in a season and who would I commission... I would love to know what all of you would program...I will think about my list. Karl