Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Opera

 

New York City Opera, also known as NYCO, is a renowned classical music company that has been entertaining audiences for over 75 years. The company was founded in 1943 by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who wanted to create an affordable alternative to the Metropolitan Opera. Since then, NYCO has become a staple of the New York City arts scene, known for its innovative productions and talented performers. The early years of NYCO were marked by financial struggles and a lack of recognition. However, the company persevered and began to gain traction in the 1950s and 60s under the leadership of Julius Rudel. Rudel, who served as NYCO's general director from 1957 to 1979, was instrumental in establishing the company's reputation for producing contemporary and American operas. During his tenure, NYCO premiered works by composers such as Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti, and Leonard Bernstein. One of NYCO's most notable productions during this time was the 1958 premiere of Menotti's "The Saint of Bleecker Street." The opera, which tells the story of a young woman who believes she is a saint, was a critical and commercial success. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1950 and was later adapted into a television movie. In the 1970s, NYCO continued to push boundaries with its productions. In 1976, the company staged a controversial production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" that featured nudity and simulated sex acts. The production was met with mixed reviews, but it helped cement NYCO's reputation as a company that was willing to take risks. NYCO's fortunes began to decline in the 1980s and 90s, as the company struggled with financial difficulties and a lack of artistic direction. However, NYCO continued to produce notable productions during this time, including a 1994 staging of Bernstein's "A Quiet Place" that was praised for its innovative use of video projections. In 1999, NYCO hired Paul Kellogg as its general and artistic director. Kellogg, who had previously worked at the Glimmerglass Opera in upstate New York, was tasked with revitalizing the company. Under his leadership, NYCO began to focus on producing more traditional operas and building relationships with other arts organizations in New York City. One of Kellogg's most notable productions at NYCO was a 2003 staging of Benjamin Britten's "Peter Grimes." The production, which was directed by John Doyle and starred Anthony Dean Griffey in the title role, was praised for its minimalist staging and powerful performances. In 2007, NYCO celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gala concert at Lincoln Center. The concert featured performances by some of the company's most famous alumni, including Beverly Sills, Plácido Domingo, and Sherrill Milnes. Despite these successes, NYCO continued to struggle financially. In 2011, the company filed for bankruptcy and canceled its entire season. However, NYCO was able to reorganize and return to the stage in 2013 with a production of Mark-Anthony Turnage's "Anna Nicole." The opera, which tells the story of the life and death of model and reality TV star Anna Nicole Smith, was a critical and commercial success. NYCO's most recent production was a 2017 staging of Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West." The production, which was directed by Ivan Stefanutti and starred soprano Kristin Sampson in the lead role, was praised for its strong performances and inventive staging.

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