Detroit Opera has named Patty Isacson Sabee as its next president and CEO.
She is a former chief of Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). For the past three years she has been executive director of Planet World, in Washington, D.C.
Admirably qualified to run an opera.
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To me this seems like an inspired choice!
Ms. Sabee brings museum executive know-how (most operas are museum pieces) as well as pop culture knowledge (operas that aren’t museum pieces are desperately striving for pop appeal). If I’m not mistaken, MoPOP in Seattle began its life as Paul Allen’s Jimi Hendrix Museum. What Norman conveniently omitted from her abbreviated bio is that she, for years (decades?), was in upper management of the Seattle Symphony, which is the orchestra for Seattle Opera. She has the financial and artistic savvy to have a significant positive impact in Detroit. Judging from the declining condition of the industry in the US, I agree with the last sentence, although obviously intended as snark by Norman.
Give her a chance…the Detroit Opera board has.
Many volunteer boards of opera companies have given the top job to individuals without pertinent experience. It rarely works out well. The posts of Slippedisc are littered with unfortunate stories.
If you had any knowledge of Detroit Opera in the last few years, you might reconsider your appraisal. The company has a history of fine and substantial productions. Current management have guided the company into the ditch with poor choices of conductors and most tellingly, terrible, tech and pop culture influenced productions of the most meretricious kind, the culmination of which was an utterly atrocious presentation of Act 3 of Die Valkyrie made to look like the Disney movie “Tron”. Words fail to describe what a horrific debacle that was. The company has lost its way and while I don’t doubt the qualifications of Ms. Sabee in her field, her appointment does not seem to bode well for actual opera.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Look Forward. Opera needs a breath of fresh air, and Patty is it. She has classical experience (shame on you, Norman, for omitting it) and Detroit Opera’s forward-looking, forward-thinking company is a perfect fit.
She only got the jobs with the Seattle Symphony because her husband has been a violist in the orchestra since 1986, NOT because of her qualifications!
Um…her husband is a ‘cellist, not a violist. As to her qualifications, I can’t do better than to reiterate this excerpt from Chris Miller’s post: “She is a brilliant, sensitive, creative manager and leader who cares deeply about the future and relevance of classical music.”
David Sabee is a cellist, but nevermind the details.
Wayne Brown has done a remarkable job of setting her up for further success.
Agree with the comment of “Look Forward”. I had the pleasure of working for Ms. Isacson-Sabee while she was Executive Director of Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony. She skillfully and successfully guided the development, opening and operations of the Hall in partnership with Symphony executive and artistic leadership. She is a brilliant, sensitive, creative manager and leader who cares deeply about the future and relevance of classical music. The Detroit Opera is extremely lucky to have hired her, and I am confident she will do great things there.
Yes, Patty was in upper management at Seattle Symphony, and is one of the rare administrators who understands how to balance artistic and financial concerns while making no enemies en route. They’re lucky to have her.
And it’s Planet Word, not Planet World.
Sorry, but little research here. Ms. Sabee worked at Seattle Symphony for 20 years. Damning because of her last job? Weak.