At the weekend, the Royal Opera House hosted two days of discussion and debate about the future of opera. Devoted and Disgruntled: What are we going to do about opera? brought together diverse members of the operatic community – audience members, donors, critics, singers, composers, librettists, directors, designers, producers, academics and many more – for a weekend of conversation about the art form.
‘The event was inspiring and galvanizing,’ says Royal Opera Associate Director John Fulljames. ‘There were so many diverse conversations; what emerged was an overwhelming sense that we need to work together better both as individuals and institutions if we want to help an art form, which we all love, to thrive.’
The event was one of a series of Devoted and Disgruntled discussions that look at the future of theatre. Managed by Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson, Artistic Directors of theatre company Improbable, the discussions use Open Space Technology, a system that allows groups to self-organize and collaborate around a shared concern.
Topics ranged from funding opera, to making new opera for the medium of film, to modernizing classics.
Here's a selection of comments from Twitter:
Like a kid at a candy store, this looks good! Where to start? That is the question... @DandDUK #DDOpera pic.twitter.com/Yz6iQTlDeX
— Opera still sings (@operastillsings) June 6, 2015
#DDOpera Most important issue for me is the balance in the sector between curating the past and creating the future of #opera. — Jonathan Best (@JonnnyBest) June 7, 2015
My brain officially on fire now. Excellent! #DDOpera
— Clare McCaldin (@mcmezzo) June 6, 2015
@DrKMcK Digital streamed opera/theatre is becoming a way for relatively rich London arts companies to colonise the regions #DDOpera
— Jonathan Best (@JonnnyBest) June 6, 2015
@DandDUK We must remember we are communicating with music, text & movement & ensure they are ALL serving the dramatic action. (3) #DDOpera
— Alex Groves (@AlexGroves_) June 7, 2015
Lively session entitled simply “ENO”
#DDOpera
@DandDUK
@E_N_O
Read the report later here:
http://t.co/iqhr7YRHwZ pic.twitter.com/gyHmXuHq0M
— Tête à Tête (@teteateteopera) June 7, 2015
A two-step approach to attracting more diverse audiences: introduce work in THEIR environment, then give them ticket to see work. #DDOpera — Kara McKechnie (@DrKMcK) June 6, 2015
Lots of bold ideas here at #ddopera about what ideal opera houses for London would be @TheRoyalOpera @E_N_O
— John Fulljames (@JohnFulljames) June 7, 2015
Enjoyed good company & some realistic ideas for the future of grassroots opera @DandDUK. Thanks, accommodating @RoyalOperaHouse #ddopera
— Cheyney Kent (@CheyneyK) June 7, 2015
Great discussions this morning about closing the gap between core programming & education. #DDOpera @DandDUK #Education
— Marc Dunleavy (@SharkyMarc) June 6, 2015
ABSOLUTELY "it's got to stay fun" - that's what I like to keep in the centre of all my work, certainly #DDOpera — Catharine Rogers (@operacat) June 7, 2015
Closing panel @DandDUK #DDOpera Everyone pleased & exhausted w. collaborative potential, frustrations shared & plans hatched. CU next time!
— Kara McKechnie (@DrKMcK) June 7, 2015
Still feeling invigorated by the pool of ideas and conversations @DandDUK #DDOpera. Taking that energy today to plan new work! Thank you all — Catherine Kontz (@catherinekontz) June 8, 2015
The sky's the limit! Thanks @RoyalOperaHouse and all at #DDOpera for a great weekend. The space is still open x pic.twitter.com/Nky1UpQLwD — Devoted&Disgruntled (@DandDUK) June 7, 2015
View all the reports from the session here and do share your thoughts below.