In town for Adams

There has been a big invasion of Chicago today for the opening of Dr Atomic at Lyric this evening.  I will not be there - I will return to see it for the third time in January - I was at the world premiere in San Francisco two years ago as well as the dress rehearsal on Tuesday.  I was also, incidentally, at the world premieres of Nixon in China in Houston in October 1987 and of A Flowering Tree in Vienna in November last year.  I am something of a John Adams groupie it seems!

I had the opportunity this afternoon of meeting one of those visitors, Carole Charnow, General Director of Boston's upstart opera company and COT's step sibling, Opera Boston.  This was a great pleasure - this company, like COT, has defied the odds as well as all other obstacles and is making a real name for itself in a city without any great operatic tradition but with another larger opera company there taking the cream of the support.  Now Boston Lyric Opera (the other company) is not exactly the Met, or even Chicago Lyric.  Nevertheless it must be an obstacle for Opera Boston; however they are really doing well with quality work to carve an important place for themselves in a city with, I think we must concede, a certain intellectual level.  So good for them indeed.

So we have much in common and maybe we can find some ways to collaborate to our shared advantage.  So this we discussed and I am sure we will keep you informed if anything occurs!

We will have a busy weekend - including our staff Christmas brunch here at home on Sunday.  And Nancy Gustafson's annual benefit at Pick Staiger Hall in Evanston for Over the Rainbow is tomorrow.  This is a fabulously worthy cause - support it if you can.  It will be a great party tomorrow evening.

Comments

[Carole Charnow]

Brian,

Thanks for the write-up in your blog! It was great to meet you and discuss ways to collaborate. I hope you can make it to Semele in February and I will plan to come to Flowering Tree in May. Dr. Atomic was incredible! And it was great to be in Chicago. Hope to see you soon. Best to all - Carole