Friday (7/15) on the New York Times blog ArtsBeat, Daniel J. Wakin writes, “Two more members of the board of New York City Opera have resigned in the wake of the company’s departure from Lincoln Center and artistic changes. Jonathan Sheffer, a conductor and composer who had been a trustee for two years, said on Friday he stepped down 10 days ago, but not because of the move. ‘I really felt at odds with the company’s artistic direction,’ he said, adding that it had ‘broken faith with the audience.’ The general and artistic director, George Steel, has been criticized by some for neglecting more traditional productions in favor of the offbeat. Mr. Sheffer, the former music director of the Eos Orchestra in New York and a group in Cleveland known as Red {an orchestra}, said he still had ‘enormous respect and admiration for Mr. Steel.’ Roy L. Furman, an investment banker and theater producer, has also resigned, Mr. Sheffer said. Mr. Furman did not immediately return messages; nor did a City Opera spokeswoman. The soprano Joyce Castle stepped down last month, citing opposition to the move.”
Posted July 18, 2011
