On Monday night, I heard some really awful news on television. It wasn't about the job loss statistics or about the Auto Industry Bail-out, or any of those other crises that are dominating the airways these days. Instead it was about something much closer to home: The Baltimore Opera Company was filing for Chapter 11. They had cancelled their remaining performances for the season and didn't anticipate starting back up ever again.
It might not be the best Opera company on the East Coast, or even in the Mid-Atlantic region, but the Baltimore Opera Company will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the place I saw my first opera (La Traviata) and the stage I imagined one day performing on during my time as a voice student. Over the years, I spent happy evenings with my dad on our father-daughter dates laughing at the inept dancers in a performance of Aida and marveling at the star potential of a young Mark Delavan. There were conceptual stagings for an excellent version of Elektra (still one of my favorite operas), mime-like renditions of Madame Butterfly, and even a sweetly misguided attempt or two at Grand Opera.
This October, I bought my dad a pair of tickets to see another BOC production of Aida at the Lyric Opera House, and I never imagined that it would be the last show we might see there. Thank goodness we made it through this one without having to prematurely excuse ourselves for our inappropriate and uncontrollable fits of laughter. Perhaps the use of PowerPoint-esque projections in lieu of actual sets should have clued us in on the fact that the end was near.
The Baltimore Opera has struggled financially for years, so it's not too much of a surprise that it would take its final bow this year. But, the demise of the BOC is also a painful reminder that even seemingly permanent cultural institutions are susceptible to collapse. We presume they will be around forever, but just as their fundraising materials assert, they really do count on us to determine their futures.
So, in celebration of my many wonderful nights at Baltimore Opera Company, I've compiled a list of Opera Cake recipes for your enjoyment. As you enjoy your slice of bittersweet chocolate cake, take a moment to remember your favorite arts organization and cheer them on for one more curtain call.
Opera Cake Recipes around the Web:
What a lovely sad and "sweet" posting.
ReplyDeleteI would be devastated if I lost the Royal Opera House, so many evenings and memories and a huge source of evenings to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteLa Traviata is a favourite of mine - and the one that I always take opera newbies too as I know that they will enjoy it.
Powerpoint cats sound on a par with the horse skulls in The Ride of the Valkyrie that I saw recently.