Cancelling large meetings is the rule of the day now for our best effort in “flattening the curve”, limiting the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) so that our health care system does not get overwhelmed. Opera companies in the mid-Atlantic are necessary participants in this effort, as is the case for symphonies and chamber music companies as well. I think seeing the list below covering just the mid-Atlantic region reveals the enormity of the sacrifices being made.
CDC chart showing why we need to use “social distancing”: making it take longer for COVID-19 to work its way through our population will keep our hospitals and critical care facilities from being overwhelmed and thereby lower the number of deaths among those who contract the infection.
As of March 14, 2020, the following opera companies in the mid-Atlantic have made changes to their near-term schedules:
Annapolis Opera - Susannah postponed until June 20, 21
Update on 3-27-20: Academy of Vocal Arts - Un ballo in maschera and the Graduation Recital have been cancelled.
Baltimore Concert Opera – Performances of L’Incoronazione di Poppea cancelled.
Opera Delaware – Spring Festival 2020, including performances of The Coronation of Poppea and The Tales of Hoffman, cancelled until further notice
Maryland Lyric Opera – Performances of Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi are postponed indefinitely
Metropolitan Opera – All performances, including HD in Cinemas performances, cancelled through March 31. Update on 3-20-20: Remainder of the Met’s 2019-2020 is cancelled.
Update 3-27-20: Opera Lafayette has postponed performances of Le Maréchal terrant (The Blacksmith) until the 2020-2021 season.
Opera on the James – Performances of The Barber of Seville are cancelled
Opera Philadelphia – Opera (Madama Butterfly) returns on April 24. Update on 3/24/20: Madama Butterfly is postponed until Spring 2022.
Pittsburgh Opera – Performances (including Carmen) canceled through April 5. Update 3/24/20: All public events, including performances of Norma, cancelled though May 3.
Update 3-19-20: Washington Concert Opera has post-poned Simon Boccanegra from April 5 to September 13.
Washington National Opera – All performances, including Don Giovanni, Samson and Delilah, and Blue, cancelled through March 31. Update on 3/17/20: All Kennedy Center performances cancelled through May 10.
Updated 4/8/20: Victory Hall Opera - The June performances of No Daughter of Mine are postponed to 2021.
Virginia Opera – Performances of Aida are postponed indefinitely. Update on 3/20/20: Norfolk presentation of Scalia/Ginsburg on April 4 cancelled, to be rescheduled for the Fall.
Updated 4/22/20 - Wolf Trap Opera - All 2020 performances cancelled. A concert of arias with the National Symphony Orchestra is planned for August 7.
This is not only a disappointment to opera fans in the region, but a huge disappointment and financial blow to opera companies and performers as well. It is also not clear that these limited cancellations and postponements won’t need to be extended. My heart goes out to all involved, and my heartfelt thanks goes out to these companies that are so important to our cultural life for putting the health of their fans first.