From May 9-17, the Detroit Opera House will be showing its final production of the season, Gorges Bizet’s legendary tale of destruction is one of the most famous operas of all time.
Having its first premiere in 1875, “Carmen” was a commercial flop. Now, it is one of the top most performed operas in North America.
“‘Carmen’ is a great first opera,” Public Relations Coordinator for the Opera House and former WSU student Rebecca Johnson said. Filled with excitement, it is the familiar story of a sultry vixen that leads her lover down a path of destruction.
Featuring rising stars Kate Aldrich and Kendall Gladen alternating in the role of Carmen and support coming from William Joyner, Janinah Burnett and Homero Velho in the roles of Don Jose, Micaëla and Escamillo, this production of Carmen is a sensual, action-filled delight. All these things lead to the question: If opera can be this exciting, why aren’t more young people interested?
Renowned singer Janinah Burnett, who portrays Micaëla, says it’s time for a change from the stereotypical opera patron.
“I would like to see more young people and people of color,” Burnett said.
She also said that things like a younger cast, more knowledge of opera and the expanding of boundaries with different advertising could help bring in a younger crowd. Which is exactly what the Detroit Opera House is trying to do.
Programs like Access in which young professionals aged 18-45 can purchase discount tickets to Wednesday night performances which include a chance to meet and have a drink with performers are being offered.
Along with advertising on event site After5Detroit.com and a Facebook page, the Detroit Opera House also has summer camps and training for children to spark their interest in the genre. Another primary resource in its quest for a younger audience is its young professionals group.
The Young Professionals group is for young people devoted to spreading their love of opera.
“It is a group that promotes the awareness of the opera with other young people,” said Johnson.
By having fundraisers like Bravo! Bravo! on June 5 to support the Opera House, this group promotes and helps the opera house, which has suffered in recent times due to the economic hardships faced by many of its patrons.
Though the Detroit Opera House is trying to attract a younger crowd, some visitors get the feeling they are not wanted.
“It’s not welcoming at all. It is focused on the uppity, white older crowd. I love classical music and I love plays, but the last time I went to an opera they treated me horribly,” said WSU freshman undergrad Alesia Adams.
With attitudes like this, can opera ever attain the support of a younger crowd? WSU undergrad Jordan Holland said that it is not up to the opera to change, but the young people themselves to change their views and be more open to new things.
“I feel that the younger audience needs to expand their horizons to include the arts and opera,” Holland said.
“Many young people are stuck in a rut where they are close-minded to many things that are deserving of attention.”
Whether it is the opera or the views of younger people that have to change, hopefully they can agree to come together so that timeless tales like “Carmen” can live on forever.
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