Following Jeremy Ward's apparent suicide last week, the Metropolitan Opera House has made the decision to temporarily close its doors, also putting an early end to Ward's debut show. Peter Gelb, the general manager, thought it best to provide a quick close to the piece in hopes the family would find closure easier. "Allowing Der Freischütz continued to run after Jeremy Ward's tragic death would be both haunting and unsettling. We at the Metropolitan Opera have chosen to close our doors for the time being in honor of this event and those in mourning," he stated at a press conference Monday, March 7th.
Meanwhile, Sam Bardem has stepped forward to direct the upcoming show, titled Incenerite Spoglie. The piece, which was also written by Bardem, is a postmodern opera sung in English following the lives of two rival orchestra directors who happen to be childhood friends. Visually, the opera reads like film noir as characters, dressed to the nines in 1930s suits, take puffs from cigarettes between arias.
Bardem has written and directed several operas before Incenerite Spoglie. However, they were self-funded and appeared off of Broadway in venues such as warehouses and even a parking lot. Bardem is known by his contemporaries for his passion for the art form and his struggle to bring it into modern times by making it accessible while also challenging and relevant. While Bardem admittedly admires Ward Senior's contribution to modern opera, he does not plan to work as closely with popular culture as Ward was famous for. In a private interview with Bardem over the weekend, he explained his intentions. "While I want opera to be widespread, I also want it to be taken seriously. I want it to be a modern art form without becoming a brand name or a commodity. Without Richard Ward, opera would not be receiving the attention it is now. I simply plan to steer it in its own direction."
Incenerite Spoglie is set to open at the Metropolitan Opera Saturday, May 21st.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Jeremy Ward's body found the second night of debut show
Jeremy Ward's body was found by the janitor in his office last night, shortly after his second night of his first show, Der Freischütz. Investigations are still under way, but suicide is suspected. After months of attention from media and opera fans because of his family name, his body was found hanging by the neck.
Several accidents, large and small, took place during the show the previous night,which was his debut as an opera director. During the archery scene in the first act, bows snapped causing the arrow, although dull and harmless, to fly into the audience. Lights also flickered and burnt out, causing main characters to disappear without a working spotlight. In one instance, soprano Shirley Ronalds was singing Agathe's aria at the beginning of Act 3 when her spotlight went out, causing her to lose concentration, miss her notes and subsequently trip on a potted plant used as a prop. Ronalds, who did not appear at the end of the show for applause, quit after opening night. Furthermore, one of the background dancers could be seen crying and the first few rows could hear her sniffling during the final scenes. The reason for her emotional display is not currently known and the dancer so far could not be reached for an interview. She did not perform the second night.
The piece also received harsh criticism, which appeared in print as early as the next morning. Blogs and newspapers alike published articles expressing disappointment in Ward junior's safe approach to the German opera. Many critics highlighted the differences between Ward junior, and his father, Richard. At least a dozen audience members left before intermission.
At a press conference yesterday morning, father Richard Ward briefly stood up to speak to his son's life and death. “Jeremy was always a passionate boy, in his quiet way. He found ways to push back and to follow his own path, despite the parameters his mother and I set out for him. He was strong and turbulent; he was an artist”.
A memorial will be held for Jeremy Ward at 10:00AM March 20th at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Family members request that in place of sending flowers, donations may be directed to The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.
Several accidents, large and small, took place during the show the previous night,which was his debut as an opera director. During the archery scene in the first act, bows snapped causing the arrow, although dull and harmless, to fly into the audience. Lights also flickered and burnt out, causing main characters to disappear without a working spotlight. In one instance, soprano Shirley Ronalds was singing Agathe's aria at the beginning of Act 3 when her spotlight went out, causing her to lose concentration, miss her notes and subsequently trip on a potted plant used as a prop. Ronalds, who did not appear at the end of the show for applause, quit after opening night. Furthermore, one of the background dancers could be seen crying and the first few rows could hear her sniffling during the final scenes. The reason for her emotional display is not currently known and the dancer so far could not be reached for an interview. She did not perform the second night.
The piece also received harsh criticism, which appeared in print as early as the next morning. Blogs and newspapers alike published articles expressing disappointment in Ward junior's safe approach to the German opera. Many critics highlighted the differences between Ward junior, and his father, Richard. At least a dozen audience members left before intermission.
At a press conference yesterday morning, father Richard Ward briefly stood up to speak to his son's life and death. “Jeremy was always a passionate boy, in his quiet way. He found ways to push back and to follow his own path, despite the parameters his mother and I set out for him. He was strong and turbulent; he was an artist”.
A memorial will be held for Jeremy Ward at 10:00AM March 20th at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Family members request that in place of sending flowers, donations may be directed to The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.
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