‘Changing Vision’: Chautauqua Opera To Shift To Workshop Model
Trending
CHAUTAUQUA -- Chautauqua Institution's Opera Company and Conservancy will look a little bit different in 2024 and 2025.
Coming out of the pandemic in 2022, Chautauqua Institution officials found themselves in a situation similar to many other art institutions across the country that had to reduce their budget to make up for revenue lost during the pandemic. Michael Hill, Chautauqua Institution president, said institution officials took a look at all of their programs and did an analysis.
"We were coming out of the pandemic and looking at what our programs needed to look like and we took a look at all of our programs," Hill said. "We looked at the attendance and how much each program costs to put on. The changing vision of the opera is where we think the industry is currently going."
The institution made the decision to eliminate the subsidy in the budget which has supported the opera in the past. Beginning in 2025, the opera will no longer produce a full opera. Instead, the focus will be on producing new works, creating new music and holding workshops for the public. While the institution works to make these changes, 2024 will be a transition year. Operas will be produced on a smaller scale and Steven Osgood, Chautauqua Opera Company general manager and artistic director, said the company will not open Norton Hall, though the building will be open for other reasons and continue to be a venue for the arts and education. What operas are produced next year will be smaller and held at other venues.
The focus of the changes being set for 2025 will be on being dedicated to developing new and young artists with a unique set of skills.
"We will be having public workshops where people can come and hear new singers and see new work," said Deborah Sunya Moore, chief program officer. "It will be similar to our theater program, the New Play Workshop, and will focus on young artists and collaborations. The public is invited to these workshops, they will not be private."
Moore said the Opera and Pops Concert program will continue, along with the orchestra concert.
'THE ONLY WAY'
Osgood said while Chautauqua Institution having financial struggles is not surprising as all art institutions in the country are in a similar situation, the immediate impact on the opera is unfortunate.
"The immediate impact is that a number of people in our production teams no longer have jobs," Osgood said. "If there's no production, or smaller productions, then there's smaller production teams. The costume, makeup, music and opera administration teams will be cut significantly. People who have given decades of service to us in the summer will not be employed."
Even with this, Osgood said he was given a task and had to complete it to make the opera be able to continue to operate in some way, and parts of the changes will still be very exciting.
"The impact this will have on art performers and creators is extremely profound," Osgood said. "I think it is what we have to do to continue to have a lasting impact. I would love to have more money and do exciting things and keep the opera going. This is our 94th year and we are the oldest opera company in the United States, so it would be a shame if we were to walk away fully. This is the only way we can keep our opera performances going."
Looking to the future, Osgood said the last 20 years have been a golden age of opera and he is very happy that Chautauqua Institution can still be a part of that with a focus on new creators and the workshops.
Moore praised Osgood for his work with the opera over the years.
"Steven Osgood has led the opera company with excellence and love for the people and the art form," Moore said. "We believe his leadership can keep the opera as a golden jewel at Chautauqua Institution."
'EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE'
Hill said the upcoming changes will allow the institution to be a part of exploring the best new work in the country.
"People can expect to see an incredible group of young and emerging artists and the chance to explore the best new work in the country," Hill said. "People will get to experience the creative process and as we go on we can be a proud part of that."
Hill said the Institution is looking towards the future.
"I am excited that as Chautauqua appears to emerge from the pandemic period, we have done an economic impact analysis and we maintain a strong financial position," Hill said. "We are hopeful and excited for the future."