Save the Michigan Opera Theater

**tarkus** · August-18-09, 08:15 AM

Please help save the Michigan Opera Theater today starting at 10am by going to the www.motopera.org and clicking on the Challange Grant link.

WE NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU

**Gistok** · August-18-09, 11:09 AM

I had lunch with Karen DiChiera on Saturday at the Detroit Opera House [[during the Preservation Wayne Historic Movie Palace Tours)... and she did mention that the big donors [[such as the auto companies) had cut back or eliminated their donations, so these matching grants are a great way to help out the MOT and Detroit Opera House during these trying times.

All employees have taken payless paydays in the past year to help ends meet. But I don't think that MOT/DOH is in any danger of losing their magnificent building... just some of their world class shows and community projects.

Another way to help is to frequent the Detroit Opera House Garage during downtown visits.

**KyleM785** · August-18-09, 12:14 PM

Yeah this really is a great cause! As a fan of the detroit opera house it is important to stand behind them and to support them during this rough time. Those who know the Detroit Opera House know it is a vital resource for our city and keeping it vibrant. All great cities have a thriving arts and cultural community, and the Detroit Opera House is part of that here.

Here are some other details:
Today, Tuesday August 18th, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan will be matching donations 50% made to Michigan Opera Theatre through the Community Foundation website. Donations can be as small as $25, so no gift is too small. Click here to be taken to the Community Foundation website with more information on the program: http://www.cfsem.org/about-us/latest...ts-and-culture

and click here to donate: http://cfsem.guidestar.org/

Thanks so much for your help in keeping opera in this city alive.

Every little bit helps and with the matching donations they will help even more!

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 12:16 PM

Rhetorical question: Why do we need opera in Detroit? Couldn't we just let it close and go on with our lives?

**rjlj** · August-18-09, 12:20 PM

Why do we need culture and the arts anyway? I have my 5th grade education, my network TV and my Fox News, why would I need anything else?

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by rjlj

Why do we need culture and the arts anyway? I have my 5th grade education, my network TV and my Fox News, why would I need anything else?

Hold up on the reductionism. It's a valid question. How many people go to the Opera in metro Detroit? In Detroit? If Michigan Opera Theatre cannot support itself on donations and admissions, why shouldn't it go the way of the dodo? It's a fair question.

**Danny** · August-18-09, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by rjlj

Why do we need culture and the arts anyway? I have my 5th grade education, my network TV and my Fox News, why would I need anything else?

The media from T.V. internet and movies are to blame for the decline of real visual culture. Most people will believe and stare to the idiot boxes to see how our world society views other cultures. Transmedia storytelling and collective intelligence from T.V. movies and internet are the norm in America and it would not stop until the last days.

WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET

Since video killed the radio star, then pop culture killed the opera star.

**tarkus** · August-18-09, 12:45 PM

FUNDS ARE STILL AVAILABLE, PLEASE DONATE.
www.cfsem.guidestar.org

**Detroit500** · August-18-09, 01:01 PM

Opera is good for Detroit. Michigan Opera Theatre is good for Detroit. David DiChiera, and his creation of Michigan Opera Theatre have had a profound impact on the city. The Opera House helps lure people into the city. Right now more affluent individuals do not want to live in the city, because they do not feel that the city has something for them. However, these individuals do very much enjoy going to the Opera House or the Symphony [[another struggling organization at the moment). When these people come downtown, they typically not only see the show, but also get dinner [[which is also good for the restaurants in the area).

These are also the types of people who are going to be most interested in moving into the loft apartments in the downtown area. The downtown area will appeal to them due to it's relative safety, and also the fact that it could potentially be close to their work, but most primarily that it has amenities that they enjoy.

As for the idea that cultural groups like the Opera House don't fill a vital role in the community, while their role may not be as pronounced in a direct way such as the United Way, these groups provide for significant opportunities for the community. The Opera House also coordinates a significant amount of education outreach programs. They go into the schools, as well as have programs for children and adults hosted at the Opera House.

When Detroit Opera House premiered Margaret Garner a few years ago, the national press was here in Detroit. For once the New York Times wasn't writing an article taking place in Detroit to lament the degradation, or demise, but rather it was here talking about a new work of art, that happened to be premiered in Detroit.

Detroit Opera House also provided for one of the most wonderful stories about preservation/restoration in Detroit during the 90s. They saved one of our dilapidated theaters, and turned it into a working performance hall space.

Detroit Opera House actually more so than most Opera Houses tries very hard to be part of the community, more so than most artistic organizations try to incorporate themselves into their communities.

Bearinabox · August-18-09, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Hold up on the reductionism. It's a valid question. How many people go to the Opera in metro Detroit? In Detroit? If Michigan Opera Theatre cannot support itself on donations and admissions, why shouldn't it go the way of the dodo? It's a fair question.

I think there is value in having a wide variety of entertainment options in the city, even if I don't necessarily partake of all of them on a regular basis. It's been a few years since I've been to the opera, but it's nice to know that it's there, and that I could go there again any time I got the urge. Besides, if Detroit only offered things I liked to do, either everyone here would be exactly like me [[Sweet Jesus that'd get old fast), or there would be a lot of really bored people around. I think part of the appeal of living in a big city is that there are activities that appeal to all sorts of different people, and that all sorts of different people are therefore drawn to spend time there.

**Gsgeorge** · August-18-09, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Hold up on the reductionism. It's a valid question. How many people go to the Opera in metro Detroit? In Detroit? If Michigan Opera Theatre cannot support itself on donations and admissions, why shouldn't it go the way of the dodo? It's a fair question.

They don't just hold operas there, dodo.

Man, do the people who live here even CARE about our historic city, its architecture, its great entertainment venues, and the people who want to sustain the culture here? Or are they all just happy with parking lots, abandoned neighborhoods, dollar stores, wig shops, and junk food?

**KyleM785** · August-18-09, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Hold up on the reductionism. It's a valid question. How many people go to the Opera in metro Detroit? In Detroit? If Michigan Opera Theatre cannot support itself on donations and admissions, why shouldn't it go the way of the dodo? It's a fair question.

well unfortunately almost all arts organizations [[opera, symphony, museums, etc.) rely on a large majority of their funding from corporate sponsorships... and when corporations start losing money they cut costs, and sadly these donations/sponsorships are the first to go. Maybe you're not an opera fan, ok...but the dso? dia? these organizations face the same problems for the same reasons...It would be devastating [[in my opinon) to let these all "go the way of the dodo"

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 02:11 PM

George, I'm trying to tease out what exactly makes opera essential to Detroit. Some people have chosen to give the best answers they can. I wonder if all opera fans are as jumpy and insulting as you are. If so, more's the pity.

**pffft** · August-18-09, 02:35 PM

So if you're not interested in something, it should just "go away" DN?
Amazing. I am not huge on art but even I appreciate the DIA, enjoy outings there and want it to always be there and thrive.
It can sometimes take time for a listener to "lock in" and really appreciate opera, but once you do, it's amazing. And in 100 years, they will be performing Verdi. 50 Cent? Not so sure.

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by pffft

So if you're not interested in something, it should just "go away" DN?
Amazing. I am not huge on art but even I appreciate the DIA, enjoy outings there and want it to always be there and thrive.
It can sometimes take time for a listener to "lock in" and really appreciate opera, but once you do, it's amazing. And in 100 years, they will be performing Verdi. 50 Cent? Not so sure.

You will note that I have not said whether I'm interested in opera. The question was about the interest in the city and the region right now, not about the durability of the art form.

**pffft** · August-18-09, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Rhetorical question: Why do we need opera in Detroit? Couldn't we just let it close and go on with our lives?

So you don't think your first comment pretty much dismisses opera?

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by pffft

So you don't think your first comment pretty much dismisses opera?

No. I'm looking for people to articulate why we need opera in Detroit. To explain why it would be a tragedy to lose it.

It may come as something of a surprise to you, but all these well-meaning posts urging people to contribute or donate don't connect with people unless they think opera is really important. What's missing, in my estimation, from this discussion is an explanation of what makes opera vital. And so I'm trying to draw people out who can do that. [[Not to prompt pissy posts about my alleged lack of cultural appreciation.)

Is this about me? Fine: I've been to the opera. I listen to opera at home. I probably listen to more classical music than any of my friends and enjoy seeing the symphony on occasion. And even though I like the music and have gone, the thought of them going out of business doesn't make me terribly upset. So I'm asking for reasons why the general public [[in a city with so many horrible social problems) should care about these institutions. And it's a valid question. I am enjoying some of the more articulate answers.

Get it?

**Detroitnerd** · August-18-09, 03:44 PM

Oh, wait. I see now that I identified it as a rhetorical question. So, no, it's not dismissive at all.

**Detroit500** · August-18-09, 11:24 PM

Detroitnerd, I along with a few other people were happy to give you substantive answers, which you seem to have had no interest in either disagreeing with or mentioning in your subsequent posts, which I can only assume means you've hijacked this thread for the sheer purpose of being obnoxious.

**reddog289** · August-18-09, 11:35 PM

While I can say I have never been to the Opera House , One day my Girlfriend or someone else I know might want to go and drag me with them.Having never been there I just might go.Had that experience this year when I went to the DSO. I wasn't that bored, and I can say I got to see the DSO.

**Gistok** · August-18-09, 11:36 PM

Ignoring the trolling....

Detroit does have a world class symphony and world class art museum.

But for many decades it didn't have much in the way of Opera. In a sports town I guess Opera is a bit Hoi Poloi...

But when MOT started hosting operas at the Fisher and Masonic [[after many years of hosting it at Music Hall... and saving it from possible demolition)... they were still a 2nd tier opera company in the USA.

One reason was that they were always hosting their productions in leased space with leased or makeshift scenery.

Dr. David DiChiera, the founder of MOT realized that if Detroit would ever attract true world class opera stars, Detroit would need a world class venue dedicated to Opera.

Several existing facilities were examined, such as the State, Fox and Masonic. They had their drawbacks, and the big stumbling block was the owners of those venues didn't want to sell.

So in 1989 the Grand Circus Theatre became available... and MOT paid a paltry $300,000 for the decrepit venue, which had been deteriorating since the mid 1980's, with burst pipes, leaking roof, and a piano floating in water in a flooded orchestra pit.

The major patrons of MOT at the time thought Dr. DiChiera was crazy for this decision. After all why would anyone want to restore a theatre in that depressing and desolate part of downtown.

Dr. DiChiera had MOT purchase 2 neighboring small buildings that were later torn down to build the new stage house for what was to become the largest stage in the midwest. And $42 million later the Detroit Opera House is now considered one of the finest opera facilities in the country.

The New York Times did an article about 10 years ago about the DOH. They were surprised to find that opera stars that rarely ventured beyond New York and San Francisco were coming to Detroit to perform in a venue whose world class acoustics were given rave reviews by opera stars. And the Times story told the tale of taking an old 1922 built 4,250 seat theatre and vaudeville house that was built in the style of European opera houses... and restoring it to a glorious venue worthy of any world class city.

MOT has done a lot of community outreach within Detroit. And they do some operas that have African American themes. For the uninformed... not all Opera patrons are older suburbanites... but you would't know that if all your information is based on stereotyping. I've only been to 3 operas since they opened... but there were a lot of young people and African Americans in attendance.

The Detroit Opera House has had 2 opera world premiers... and people from around the world fly here just to see world class opera in a world class opera house.

If one needs to ask why we should keep it... then go to an opera and find out for yourself...

**reddog289** · August-19-09, 12:03 AM

Thanks for the info Gistok. Until the Tigers moved to Comerica Park, I didn't know myself where exactly the Opera House was. Seeing work going on at the DOH was something that made me look at Detroit in another way. I just might add that venue to the too do list.

Bearinabox · August-19-09, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

In a sports town I guess Opera is a bit Hoi Poloi...

Gistok, sometime when you have a spare minute or two, google "hoi polloi." You might be surprised at what you find.

Lorax · August-19-09, 08:06 AM

Again, if we weren't so afraid of that worst of all boogey men "socialism" we could have a very vibrant arts culture in all cities across America.

In France, 57% of every tax dollar [[euro) goes to culture.

That means restoration of it's architecture, public sculpture, support for it's opera, national theatre, parks system, museums, yes, even it's sports stadiums.

The rest of those tax dollars go to universal single-payer health care, defense, infrastructure, and publicly funded elections.

Think we could learn something from the French? Yeah.

**Detroitnerd** · August-19-09, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Detroit500

Detroitnerd, I along with a few other people were happy to give you substantive answers, which you seem to have had no interest in either disagreeing with or mentioning in your subsequent posts, which I can only assume means you've hijacked this thread for the sheer purpose of being obnoxious.

Oh, bull. I've been occupied fending off pissy people. Like you...