In Friday’s (2/10) Chicago Tribune, Mark Caro writes, “Rather than just opening their doors wider, the opera company and other higher-culture organizations are trying to extend their reach. Amid the prolonged economic downturn and shifts in the way people consume culture, Chicago-area institutions have been seeking new ways to stretch past their traditional subscriber/membership bases to become more relevant to a broader demographic. This movement can be seen in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra-led, year-old Citizen Musician initiative, which has mobilized regional music organizations and individual players to engage with schools, prisons, churches and other groups to emphasize the importance of music in everyday lives. … Some organizations have invited audience members into the creative process. Others have altered their ticket policies, offering more liberal exchanges or hooking up with Groupon. Whatever the case, business as usual has lost its sense of usual. … CSO music director Riccardo Muti has conducted several open rehearsals over the last couple of weeks, including one for seniors and community groups Thursday morning as a preview of that night’s world premiere of Composer-in-Residence Anna Clyne’s ‘Night Ferry.’ … ‘Breaking down the barrier between performer and audience and having the audience engage more directly in dialogue with the performer has become more important,’ said Deborah Rutter, CSO Association president.”
Posted February 14, 2012
