Opera's Demise in Baltimore

It's a sad time for opera lovers in Baltimore. Grand Opera at the Lyric has gone away. Everything belonging to the Baltimore Opera Company is being auctioned off. There is a report about the situation by Tim Smith in the Baltimore Sun today. Even though Tim mentions some activity that is going to allow for some opera performances in the future, it still is a very sad situation.

For some years, my son and I were patrons and attended many operas at the Lyric. We usually attended on Sundays and were happy to get to learn about the operas in the preceding lectures by prominent opera experts. We also always opted for the best seats in the house. It seemed a lot nicer to sit in separated upholstered seats, and we always were able to sit in the front of the box, until one of the season ticket sellers made a mistake and we had to sit in the back of the box. This was o.k. to a point.. there were a couple of drawbacks.. first, we could not see the sur-titles... second, squirming people in front of the box were a distraction. It just did not feel as elegant and special. (Yes, I did complain, but it didn't make a difference.. after that we always got the back of the box.) But, aside from that, the productions were marvelous and very well done, even if sometimes, the lack of sur-titles caused a language barrier. (There are a few operas where sur-titles are a great help, in my opinion.)

The Baltimore Opera combined so many things: beautiful instrumental music, beautiful individual vocal music, beautiful choral music, marvelously developed sets, wonderful acting, sometimes ballet, colorful costumes, etc etc. Although needing an overhaul, the Lyric was a great place to enjoy an opera.

My son and I also belonged to the Baltimore Opera Guild and we attended many of their luncheons where opera luminaries gave samples of their vocal skill. At these functions, many of the dowager patrons would cast a friendly eye on my handsome son. Once a year, we would attend a free wine and cheese function where my son and I were offered the chance to become officers in the organization. Because of our other committments, we had to decline. But it probably would have been a great experience to get to know the opera folks better. We also toyed with the idea of becoming extras. We met some of them on a night when we got to tour backstage at the Lyric. What a world it is, back there where the audience can't see all the marvels that are taking place to make magic on the stage!

Tim Smith mentions other opera opportunities for Baltimore:

The Washington National Opera to perform at the Lyric.
The Baltimore Opera Theater will debut at the Hippodrome and the Meyerhoff.
The Baltimore Concert Opera will perform at the elegant Engineerss Club.
Opera Vivente will present at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
At the Theatre Project, American Opera Theater will perform.
The Peabody Opera Theatre will perform.

But.. as Tim laments.. there is no longer Grand Opera in Baltimore.. and this is sad!