Home / Arts and Entertainment / Reviving Opera: Melody Over Modernism
Reviving Opera: Melody Over Modernism
26 Mar
Summary
- Opera attendance has plummeted to less than 1% of American adults.
- New American operas often fail due to overly complex musical language.
- Past operas with accessible melodies offer a path to renewed popularity.
Opera's once-prominent place in American culture has significantly waned, with fewer than 1% of adults attending in recent years. This decline is partly attributed to new American operas often prioritizing perceived sophistication over audience accessibility.
Composers and producers frequently reject music that is easily appreciated, leading to new works that quickly disappear. This trend contrasts with earlier eras when opera singers were national celebrities. The article argues that opera companies should embrace works with memorable melodies and harmonies.
Historical American operas like Kurt Weill's "Street Scene" and Marc Blitzstein's "Regina" are highlighted for their immediate relatability. These works, alongside operas by Menotti, Barber, Bernstein, and Ellington, demonstrate the power of accessible music.
Reviving opera in America may depend on reclaiming this gift for captivating song. Nineteenth-century Italians, who packed La Scala, would likely find the idea of avoiding infectious melody baffling. Embracing this approach could offer a vital resurgence for the art form.
