In Monday’s (3/25) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin writes, “Next season’s previously announced performance of Salome, Richard Strauss’ erotically charged biblical opera after Oscar Wilde’s play, will be a co-production of Opera Philadelphia and Philadelphia Orchestra, the two groups announced Monday. It is the first in a series of anticipated collaborations between the organizations, though leaders could not say exactly where the sharing of resources might lead. ‘This one’s all about getting something started,’ said Opera Philadelphia general director David B. Devan. ‘Let’s keep investment levels modest, but do something really spectacular.’ Salome, scheduled for two performances in Verizon Hall in May 2014, will be done neither as a concert opera nor in the usual fully staged format, but in a state in between—a demi-staged production. … Devan said that the great value of projects like this—‘Let’s call it a theatrical mashup,’ he said—is the ability to bring in singers who, unable to commit to the five weeks necessary for regular productions, would otherwise not be heard here. What this isn’t, he said, is the first step in any kind of consolidation of the two organizations. … Any further projects with the orchestra would be in addition to the opera’s regular offerings, Devan said.”
Posted March 26, 2013
