The ultimate threat

Marshall says:

Actually, I can’t stand this stuff. The idea of treating opera as if it were something it is not, by making it more humorous, more palatable, more popular is doomed to failure. Look at this shirt-it fundamentally pokes fun at the notion of an operatic voice, and American TV-when it refers to opera, which is rarely, in awful commercials-often picks on this aspect of opera to caricature. This has also reached non-singing voices where the idea of a resonant and cultured voice is considered amusing, or something to ridicule. If you’re ever been involved with politics or public speaking, even in a small room, very few people can speak without a mic,and the world is full of mumbling, low talkers. This is, of course, part of the whole modernist idea of diminishing everything that takes skill and technique..

I know the Glimmerglass type of promotional cute goods-rarely there is something genuinely clever or witty-but mostly it’s more of this popularizing nonsense.Does it raise money? I hope so-but is a short-lived approach.

People need to come to the art form on its terms, not have it made more appealing through modern Madison avenue mass advertising techniques.

You think I’m without humor or I think it always has to be treated as if we’re dealing with sacramental objects? As I said, real wit and cleverness is always appreciated-though rare. But when someone who knows I like opera gives me a fancy pin that reads “Help Stamp Out Tenors”-ha! ha!-I am not amused. (yes maybe the pin earned a few cents for the company)

I also find many of the fine children’s book on opera well done, and helpful in attracting kids to the form. I remember one called “Pet of the Met” which was about a mouse maestro who lived at the Met-quite clever, and I’ve given it to children who loved it. Did it help them love opera-maybe a little.