A little over a year ago, I began this blog in an effort to better prepare myself for my leap into graduate studies in the Arts Management at American University. Well, as the idiom goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Okay, it’s either that one or the one that goes, “The older you get, the faster time goes.” I’m not really sure, but I like to think it’s the former. Either way, last week I completed my first year of the program, quite successfully I might add, and now begin the summer and my adventures into the world of opera festivals at the Glimmerglass Opera festival in Cooperstown, New York.
A few months ago, I happily accepted a three month stint as an arts administration intern at Glimmerglass. I wasn’t terribly familiar with the festival prior to applying, not mention Cooperstown. However, the opportunity came highly recommended by a friend of mine who did the internship last summer and absolutely loved it. Despite what the surveys say, my interest in opera has only increased over the last few years, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to break into this field I find so fascinating. In all honesty, however, my first exposure to Cooperstown was the movie “A League of Their Own“; Gina Davis, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell included.
Upon further research, I learned that every summer the sleepy little town of Cooperstown, (population of just over 2,000 and home of the Baseball Hall of Fame), becomes a northeast retreat destination for opera lovers. Staging four operas each summer, many of which are original productions, Glimmerglass prides itself in being a well respected venue not only for great opera, but also for helping to develop the future of opera with its Young American Artists Program.
Alice Busch Opera Theater - Cooperstown, NY
This summer’s productions include Tosca, The Marriage of Figaro, The Tenderland, and the U.S. professional premiere of Handel’s Tolomeo. I am particularly excited about the opportunity of working on the Tolomeo premiere. It is not everyday one can say they have worked on a premiere. Certainly, I will blog about this and all my interesting experiences this summer, time permitting, of course. However, I will be careful and mindful not to have any Leonard Slatkin blogging moments like he did with the Met this past Spring.
On a side note, I have also been asked to guest blog for the Americans for the Arts blog, Artsblog. Sign-up and be part of the Artsblog conversation. Look for my posts on there in the coming two weeks.
Bravo to a great first year! Next stop, Cooperstown.
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