General & Artistic Director Esther Nelson on Opera in Boston

As we begin rehearsals for Peter Maxwell Davies’ The Lighthouse, our third Opera Annex production (you really should see the film clip on our website showing the evolution of the set, and also the interview with the composer and our Music Director David Angus), I am experiencing the familiar excitement that comes with turning a production dream into a reality. The tension is even greater with our Annex productions because we are not performing in a familiar theater but in a “found space,” always full of unexpected challenges. Opera is, to me, one of the most exciting art forms, embracing singing, orchestra, acting, set and costumes designs, lighting design, hair and make designs, and much more—it’s really the world’s oldest multi-media art form. Of course, it is costly and we often ask ourselves if we can justify its expense. Is opera still relevant? (more after the jump)