The 6/25/2014 edition of The New Yorker published an article by Alex Ross which examines the Metropolitan Opera’s (Met) ongoing “Klinghoffer” saga. Ross adds yet one more prominent voice of reason to the growing chorus of negative feedback surrounding the Met’s series of executive decisions that produced their decision to cancel the opera’s broadcasts. At the same time, Ross adds an additional bit of observational insight that connects “Klinghoffer” with the ongoing labor dispute in such a way that casts genuine doubts on the Met’s executive credibility.
It is an excellent piece and one of the best examples yet that helps provide a reasonable frame of reference while watching the labor dispute unfold.
In the wake of Ross’ article, it is difficult to imagine that the “Klinghoffer” saga will serve as nothing more than an Albatross around the neck of the Met’s leadership, both inside the bargaining room and within the broader realm of public scrutiny. Nonetheless, it will be fascinating to see whether or not this has any impact on the institution’s governance as it navigates what is almost certainly going to be a challenging season.
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“(Gelb) earned a generous salary of $1.8 million. When that figure, which includes benefits, surfaced last week, Tino Gagliardi, speaking for the A.F.M., told the Times, ‘Local 802 doesn’t take any issue with the general manager of the Met earning a competitive salary. Our position is that the person needs to be effective in that position.'” Ouch.
Also, why perform an opera that tends to alienate or infuriate–whether justified or not–some percentage of your major contributors?
A few comments:
I support free speech and the right of the Met to put on any opera of any kind, including for example a racist/sexist/pornographic opera.
When I watch John Adams’ remarks http://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2014/jun/18/the-death-of-klinghoffer-if-john-adams-opera-isnt-anti-semitic-how-can-it-fan-anti-semitism
He comments that he wants listeners to “see the humanity” of both sides and that there “have to be reasons why they [the terrorists] did this” He included no such view of both “sides” in his 9/11 work “On the Transmigration of Souls”
To Alex Ross, what is wrong with saying America is one big Jew? Is that an insult?
Finally, just because an opera doesn’t directly incite violence doesn’t mean it is not harmful.