Performing Arts - MiamiHerald.com: As an opera evangelist, Susan Danis is accustomed to meeting people who are intimidated by the notoriously unapproachable art form.
“I’ll say to people, ‘It’s really not that bad,’ and they just look at me,” she said. “It’s like sushi: you’re not going to know if you like it unless you taste it.”
3 comments:
When I tell a non theatre person that I love opera, I usually get a really strange look, or they automatically assume the 'oh yeah that's great' smile. So I can really appreciate Danis saying that 'It’s like sushi: you’re not going to know if you like it unless you taste it. 'It’s like sushi: you’re not going to know if you like it unless you taste it. 'It's like sushi: you're not going to know if you like it until you try it'. I think that that is a great way to look at it. I find Danis very interesting in that she has been known for turning things around, which is a great skill to have. Especially in today's economy with so many arts organizations going under, I hope that her skills can help secure Florida Grand Opera in a position where they do not have to worry about such things.
For a majority of Miamians (admittedly myself included), opera isn't exactly their cup of tea. On the flip side, it's not like the Florida Grand Opera was making any huge efforts to publicize their seasons in past years. However, the funding for professional arts programs is fairly substantial right now. Now that Danis is coming to fill the CEO position, I have a feeling that things will pick up for the opera house and there will be more people coming out to enjoy the art form. And maybe when I'm home, I'll even go see a show.
I must agree with Danis and that is a fantastic analogy for Opera, It really is like sushi. I didn't like either sushi or Opera until I tried them. I admire the work that Danis did with the Sarasota Opera. That shows her passion and dedication to opera which as the writer states is exactly what Florida Grand Opera needs.
It is also sad that so many Opera companies are closing, however I think that this is due to not trying to make Opera evolve or be more appealing to new/ younger audiences. Before coming to CMU, my only connection to Opera music was my classical singing training, other than that, I found it quite boring and had only watched a few on the television. However that view has changed as was also one of the things that I wanted to gain more experience was from coming to CMU. But I know many younger audiences who are not interested in Opera and I think that finding ways to alter that interest is the test of a good season or company really.
Also maybe DPSwag is right, maybe they weren't marketing their shows well enough, hence why Florida Grand Opera was in such a state. Hopefully Danis can have the same impact there as she did previously.
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