Can Opera get its act together?

A thousand thanks to the steering committee of the fledgling UK Opera Association which opened its doors yesterday to an industry-wide consultation. The UK certainly needs a body that can advocate for opera in the face of ignorance and prejudice about what opera is and can be - and the funding drought that results from that.

Encouraging was the recognition that small companies are playing an important part in the ecosystem, not least in the opportunities they give to singers and creatives, but also in their often innovative approaches to the repertory as well as the places they perform in. I think it could be emphasised, too, that it is in such environments, rather than in the large companies, that most new works are being created, for a fresh repertory is essential if opera is to remain relevant and inclusive.

The online session was, as these events usually are, hijacked by a few loud voices grinding axes; thus, we immediately got a snapshot of the difficulties facing this new organisation, not only in the parlous state of the industry, but also in the marshalling of operatic egos and the pigeon-holing of people according to skin colour or gender. There seemed to be demands for sub-committees to increase representation - i.e. fragmentation - while the Association, surely, needs to bring voices together and to amplify the basic message: OPERA IS GREAT & OPERA IS UNIVERSAL. It can mean all things to all people through the language of music. For heaven’s sake, let’s hope the Association can pull us all together!