Parting thoughts on the 2011-2012 Metropolitan Opera Season

by Francisco Salazar

Another Met season has passed and like the ones prior  there were many successes, disappointments, and failures. Like last year, I will give an analysis of what I believe were the successes, failures, surprises, and disappointments of this season. As a disclaimer, I would like to emphasize that the following comments are my opinions and that I will not write about every single work I saw or was presented this year. I respect those who believe that everything I say is completely wrong and I welcome any contradictory arguments. Enjoy!

Met Opera Review: Is Singing still King? "Ernani" says yes

By David Salazar (for 2.10.12 performance)

Is singing still king/queen of the opera world? One side of the argument would surely make an argument for opera being a consummate theatrical experience in which all elements work side by side equally; but this operatic vision is dominated by the director. The other side posits great singing as the driving force of the operatic world. The people on this side of the fence  don't like the distractions imposed by modern directors. The job of any great repertory house is balance this medium so as to please both sides of the equation. For any of those who have read my previous reviews, you likely know that I have not been particularly impressed with the Met's attempts at the former during this season. With all the new productions (minus Manon in the spring) out of the way, revivals are now dominating the Met's stage, and giving us an opportunity to truly study the case for said operatic style. Can opera remain relevant and alive as only a vocal art where all other artistic forms are used in service of the music? Is singing still king? The revival of Verdi's early "Ernani" certainly makes a good case for the affirmative.