I was recently challenged on a point of ‘conventional classical music etiquette’ and put in the position of having to justify my directive - to reiterate the contemporary context to get my own way in the face of ‘tradition pushback’. It took me by surprise, because I had assumed that highly experienced professionals in Australia would have been aware - if not exposed to - the types of unconventional practises that are quite commonplace overseas - particularly as companies evolve in presentation of works in non-traditional settings, venues and concepts, and are consciously setting out to break down barriers.
It got me thinking about all of the contemporary opera, concerts and theatre I’ve seen overseas over the past decade or so, and how most of what I’ve seen overseas passes unnoticed - and, as a female stage/artistic director, I am challenged on ‘authority to direct’ more than male counterparts - even conductors (peers) will challenge my concepts and question my feedback. Not all bad; a healthy ideas exchange has never done art any harm. It’s the inherent assumption that the status quo in Australia is the traditional and the correct, that troubles me. Artistic decisions are always informed, even if a directive appears to be spontaneous - always, for me, an artistic decision underpinned by a foundation of expertise/experience, and an audience-centric mindset. Not in terms of subject matter or style of materials - but certainly in vitality and clarity in the end-game of compelling storytelling.
I thought I might try to list as many highlights as I can remember - extraordinary experiences of creators, performers, musicians and creative professionals pushing boundaries and breaking the stronghold of tradition and etiquette - which increasingly, holds meaning only for those ‘in the know’.
This will be a WIP as I brain-dump first, and maybe come back and re-order/add comments later:
I’d say this is a third so far…
PRISM by Ellen Reid directed by James Durrah - Beth Morrison Projects - Prototype Festival NYC
AND GOD CREATED GREAT WHALES written and performed by Rinde Eckert Culture Project NYC
MAI LAI written and performed by Rinde Eckhert Singapore Arts Festival
ATLAS by Meredith Monk directed by Yuval Sharon Los Angeles
WAR OF THE WORLDS by Los Angeles Philharmonic, directed by Yuval Sharon
FIRST TAKE by Wild Up and The Industry, Los Angeles
SECOND TAKE by Wild Up and The Industry, Los Angeles
TÊTE A TÊTE FESTIVAL London - Tosca in a pub
PAUL BUNYAN by Benjamin Britten presented by the ROH Chorus in an out of town arts space
NEW OPERA WORKSHOP Opera America Conference San Francisco
THE FATE OF FRANKLIN AND HIS GALLANT CREW Four Larks
PEER GYNT Four Larks
BLISS
POWDER HER FACE by Rufus Wainwright New York City Opera at BAM
THE MAGIC FLUTE dir by Barrie Kosky in collab. with 27
PETER PAN Royal Opera Covent Garden
LADY MACBETH OF MTSENK The Met
SYNAESTHESIA FESTIVAL MONA
MADAMA BUTTERFLY The Met
PRINCE IGOR The Met
ADRIANA LECOUVREUR The Met
RING CYCLE (Castorf) at Bayreuth
RAPE OF LUCRETIA Glyndebourne
CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN Glyndebourne
THE TWO FIGAROS UCLA
THE RING CYCLE Seattle Opera dir by Stephen Wadsworth
THE CONSUL Seattle Opera
THE PERFECT AMERICAN English National Opera
ROSSINI by Little Opera Theater NYC
FLY AWAY PETER Sydney Chamber Opera
THE ENCHANTED PIG Young Vic on Broadway
THE RING CYCLE Munich
VENUS IN FUR New York
THE RIVER starring Hugh Jackman New York
A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE New York
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with Nathan Lane New York
HELLO DOLLY with Bette Midler New York
NEXT TO NORMAL New York
THE MAGIC FLUTE by Barrie Kosky Komische Oper Berlin
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHOGONNY by Barrie Kosky Komische Oper Berlin
4:48 PSYCHOSIS Prototype Festival NYC
THE ADDAMS FAMILY New York
THE FRONT PAGE New York
ALL THE WAY New York
BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO with Robin Williams New York
BILLY BUDD Glyndebourne
THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN Glyndebourne
SAUL Glyndebourne
THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA Glyndebourne
TRISTAN & ISOLDE ENO
THE PLACE WHERE YOU STARTED Mark Weiser Helix/Los Angeles
DIE WALKURE with Placido Domingo Los Angeles
CAPRICCIO with Renee Fleming The Met NY