Music Hall back in the news
Three letters to the editor in two days means people are concerned about the future of Music Hall. Yesterday, Lynne Curtiss of Mount Lookout noticed the big crowd that turned out for Garrison Keillor (see my summary, below) and cautioned that "if the grand old building is remodeled, the powers that be remember times like this, when Music Hall teems with happy people. ... Let's hope that people with vision are in charge and that we don't compromise our legacy."
Patricia Helms of Colerain Township writes that ideas of "downsizing" Music Hall and adding a garage are "screwy." "I would ask, 'What are they thinking?'" says she.
And in today's paper, G. Rodger Crowe says, forget Music Hall, the symphony needs revamping.
"I believe that there is no longer a viable market for live symphony concerts on any day, any time or in any location," he says.
I'm afraid I'm not as pessimistic as Mr. Crowe, or my neighbor, Dr. Paul Gillingham, who says of renovating Music Hall, "isn't that a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?"
What do you think??
posted by Janelle Gelfand at 1:10 PM
7 Comments:
at 12/04/2006 08:07:00 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12/05/2006 10:34:00 AM 
Janelle Gelfand said...
-
-
at 12/05/2006 12:42:00 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12/06/2006 03:09:00 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12/07/2006 11:11:00 AM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12/08/2006 07:41:00 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12/12/2006 12:40:00 PM 
Janelle Gelfand said...
-
-
Post a Comment*Janelle,
Thank you for presenting so many different views on changes at Music Hall and the future of the orchestra. It has been interesting to see how passionately people feel about this, not to mention the wide scope of public opinion. I have forwarded your blog entries and the commentaries from the community to a family member, who is the president on a board of a small orchestra. She said that the input was enlightening and fascinating.
I have one question - and please pardon my ignorance: who would pay for the rennovation of Music Hall and the new garage?
Thank you!
Regarding funding of Music Hall renovations and a new parking garage -- your guess is as good as mine. I don't think anyone knows yet. I'm guessing that Music Hall improvements would be funded jointly by a combination of the tenants (CSO, May Festival and Opera) according to their percentage of the work, along with other funding from city and state. The symphony has said they plan to launch a combined capital/endowment campaign when they know what the costs will be. As for the garage, who knows? 3CDC has hired architects, but so far they have not purchased the property, or made any other arrangement to use the property, from the owners, the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. I would assume that 3CDC -- or maybe the city -- will pay for that structure...
A documentary on PBS about the history of Music Hall shows that it certainly has changed several times over the years in order to maximize it's usefulness.
I think it's fair to look at the ideas they've presented with the thought that nothing can stay the same forever. But I do hope they do everything they can to preserve what makes the building special now. Some space in the building is not being used efficiently and other space is lacking. A parking garage, as unromantic as it seems, would be a real priority.
If they can't change Music Hall, then the preforming arts organizations might as well think about moving elsewhere. They clearly have issues with the place now. And if that happens, what does the city do with Music Hall then?
It's not like another organization wants to take on the risk of making their efforts fly there. Do they turn it into condos?
Do not change music hall.
the problem is the conductor.
he is great on the podium. but, he falls way short in all other aspects.
he refuses to wear tuxedo.
he refuses to improve his English.
he is arrogant.
he is egotistical.
I went to the first show of the season - he and the violin player were to come out to sign. they never showed after 15 minutes. Don't make promises you are not to keep.
he is selecting music that is too modern - and we do not want to hear it!
he is destroying the symphony!
Those video boards at the beginning of the season. A joke - he said he could not come out and talk to us live because he is so immersed in the music.
I say he is not fully capable.
Kunzel - he talks all the way thru the pops, he plays many more pieces. he does not get so involved that he cannot connect with the audience. he has bigger attendance.
Paavo - good conductor - no other reasons to keep him.
there are many other good conductors out there that would increase attendance.
a comparison - UC Football - small crowds -- reason - boring football- they just hired a new coach - he guarantees no more boring!! he will fill the stadium. (the product on the stage controls the attendance)
the administration cannot see the forest for the trees.
we went to about 12 shows last year. maybe 6 shows this year. we are just not going to shows with the modern music. have talked with others that have not renewed. they want no part of the modern music. after all it is a classical orchestra. play the classics!! yes, there is plenty of material.
I attended the Prairie Home Companion program at Music Hall a few weeks ago, and was thrilled to see the hall packed to the rafters. It made me wish the symphony could once again enjoy that kind of audience size; it adds an incredible level of buzz and excitement to a performance. Keillor's praise for Cincinnati in preserving Music Hall made me realize how crucial it is that, whatever happens, Cincinnati's powers that be preserve the essence of that facility when they make their changes.
One question: Where will the orchestra play while Music Hall is being renovated? I know of no facility large enough in the city. I think the Opera could use Aronoff, but could the orchestra?
Janelle, Thank you for your continuing coverage of this important issue. I am wondering if the symphony has any reputable research which shows that significant new audiences would attend concerts if the hall is renovated and the new garage built? Absent such data, I'm troubled by the idea of pouring tens of millions of dollars into the restoration and garage. I am an enthusiastic symphony subscriber, (opera too) but I can't help but wonder if the CSO's future should be tied so directly to the future of Over the Rhine. I know there are no easy alternatives but I would like to be more assured than I currently am that this is the best solution for the future of th CSO. Marjorie Fox
Marjorie brings up an important point here. No one has mentioned any kind of data that says that "they will come" if there's a more glamorous venue/restaurant/attached garage/patron lounge/"intimate" auditorium or even box seats with cupholders.
In the past, to hint that the orchestra should ever leave Music Hall has amounted to heresy. (But remember, they left for 30 years for the Emery... ) But if millions are poured into a makeover without any guarantee that it will work -- will they end up going back to the drawing board when all is said and done?
* Our online blogs currently are hosted and operated by a third party, namely, Blogger.com. You are now leaving the Cincinnati.Com website and will be linked to Blogger.com's registration page. The Blogger.com site and its associated services are not controlled by Cincinnati.Com and different terms of use and privacy policy will apply to your use of the Blogger.com site and services.
By proceeding and/or registering with Blogger.com you agree and understand that Cincinnati.Com is not responsible for the Blogger.com site you are about to access or for any service you may use while on the Blogger.com site.
<< Home