2024年世界歌剧论坛综述报告：四大关键议题

A SUMMARY June 3–5, 2024Los Angeles, CA FROM THE FORUM HOSTS FORUM SPONSORS The World Opera Forum was made possible by a generous leadership gift fromC. Graham Berwind, III, with additional deeply appreciated support fromBarbara Teichert, Nanette and Keith Leonard, Carol F. Henry, Susan F. Morris,Susan G. Marineau, and John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fisher. It was an honor and pleasureto greet operacolleagues from around the world at the second WorldOpera Forum. The convening extended our effort to make OPERAAMERICA the discussion about the future of opera a global conversation that reflects the globalnature of the art form. Although our deep appreciation was earned by Christopher Koelschand our colleagues at Los Angeles Opera who served as official hosts of the forum, specialthanks are due to Ignacio García-Belenguer, general director of the Teatro Real in Madridand host of the first World Opera Forum, for his warm and unwavering encouragement toovercome the challenges inherent in a meeting of this international dimension. Planning for the key themes of the 2024 forum was enriched by members of OPERAAmerica, Opera Europa, Ópera Latinoamérica, and the Association for Opera in Canadawho attended the 2018 forum and who are deeply connected to the artistic and socio-political trends shaping our world. I am grateful to all of them, and to Karen Stoneand Audrey Jungers, Alejandra Martí, and Christina Loewen, who helped assemble anextraordinary group of official delegates. Beyond the official delegation, hundreds of operaleaders from across the globe attended the meeting as active listeners and contributors tothe discourse during sessions and at the many events that filled the days in Los Angeles. As you will read in the summary that follows, everyone agreed that the rate of changein the world around us has accelerated since 2018. Everyone agreed, too, that operaretains its unique power to enlighten and inspire established audiences and those whoare new to the art form. But the global pandemic, climate change and its consequences,new technologies that expand and challenge our human abilities, immigration anddemographic shifts, and socio-political tensions including Russia’s war on Ukraine placetremendous pressure on opera and opera companies to deliver demonstrable public valueoutside the walls of the theater as the basis for earning public and private support. Despiteabundant challenges, participants retained the essential optimism that is fundamental tosuccess in the complex practice of producing opera. The 2024 World Opera Forum would not have been possible without the leadershipcontribution of C. Graham Berwind, III, whose generosity made it possible to committo this historic event and inspired other members of OPERA America’s cherished donorcommunity to step forward. Thank you, all. TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Forum Hosts1Participants4Revenue & Repertoire: A Global Comparison6Key Themes8Agenda10A Festival of Opera10Summary Report13Final Reflections22 MARC A. SCORCAPRESIDENT/CEO, OPERA AMERICA Building trust between human beingsis The World Opera Forum provideda dynamic the fundamental basis for collaboration and networking— which in the long term generates a more platform for the exchange of experiences and information.A central theme that emerged was the vital importance of sustainable, empathetic, and resilient society. meeting face to face to fully appreciate how opera resonates across the globe and the diverseroles it plays in different societies. Theater associations, through their conferences and face-to-face meetings, provideplatforms for these relationships to be lasting and fertile and to contribute to a greater impact. Networking was a cornerstone of the forum, with its impact being nothing short ofextraordinary. One of our Opera Europa delegates, Laura Canning, general director andCEO of Opera North in the U.K., captured her reflections beautifully: The second World Opera Forum in Los Angeles was an example of communicationthat transcends borders, cultures, and generations. By meeting and exchanging viewsfrom different regions of the world, we can realize that we share problems and challengesand that, by joining forces, we can find solutions together. “What a gift to step out of the day-to-day and begin building the future we wantto see for the art form we all love so much. I met extraordinary colleagues, each fromcommunities at different stages of their journey with opera. ‘We’ve only really had operafor 15 years,’ said Paolo Petrocelli from Dubai, ‘so we’re not worrying about refreshingthe canon just yet!’ But the message that resonated with me the most came from BibianKalinde, an inspirational music educator from Zambia: ‘You keep talking about opera as aWestern classical art form, but really, is there anything more universal than singing withan open heart?’ Long may we continue to do so.” The Latin American delegation, through its speakers and participants, was able tohighl