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Launching its comeback in perilous financial times, the New York City Opera might well have played it safe with a surefire crowd-pleaser, like its production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly."
The New York City Opera and the union for its singers have reached a contract agreement.
The beleaguered New York City Opera will resume staged performances following absence of more than one year when it opens its 2009-10 season on Nov. 7 with soprano Lauren Flanigan starring in a revival of Hugo Weisgall's "Esther."
Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra" and the New York City Opera were a perfect match: Both had disappeared for long stretches.
The New York City Opera is likely to present only five-to-seven productions when it returns to Lincoln Center for the 2009-10 season and might not offer any new stagings.
Kennedy Center head Michael Kaiser will assist the New York City Opera in finding a new leader and scheduling a 2009-10 season following the departure of Gerard Mortier.
Philip Glass has been commissioned by New York City Opera to compose an opera that imagines the final months in the life of Walt Disney.
Gerard Mortier says his application to run the Bayreuth Festival in Germany will not change his plans to run the New York City Opera starting with the 2009-10 season.
Conductor George Manahan will remain a music director of the New York City Opera under incoming general manager Gerard Mortier, agreeing to a four-year contract through the 2011-12 season.
The New York City Opera commissioned Charles Wuorinen to compose an opera based on "Brokeback Mountain," the 1997 short story by Annie Proulx that became the basis for a 2005 movie that won three Academy Awards.
The New York City Opera will likely produce four pared-down operas while its Lincoln Center theater is renovated next season, down from the company's typical 12 productions, officials said.
The New York City Opera will be without a home next season, when the Lincoln Center space it shares with the City Ballet will close for renovations.
The New York City Opera may lose its home at the State Theater for the 2008-09 season to allow for reconstruction, then return to the Lincoln Center venue for the start of Gerard Mortier's regime.
Which Is the People's Opera? Let the Fireworks BeginGerard Mortier, the controversial Flemish-Belgian director of major European opera houses and music festivals, a passionate and intellectually voracious provocateur, will become the general manager and artistic director of the New York City Opera starting in 2009. Mr.
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