Congratulations to George Steel, who will be leaving Columbia University's Miller Theatre to join the Dallas Opera as its general director. (More from Steve Smith, here.) For the last 11 years, George's passion for contemporary music and choices for Miller have transformed the venue into a den of genuine excitement. I have spent countless evenings there, happily enjoying some of the most thoughtful, visceral and challenging concerts in New York.
The Dallas company is very lucky to have him, and I am sure it will thrive under his leadership, leading to artistic achievements unimaginable at the moment. But it's a loss for New York, for sure.
That's good new for Dallas (where I used to live), but as you say a loss for New York. Broadly speaking this reminds me of the appointment of Gérard Mortier to run the New York City Opera: in both cases, what the men have become known for doing will probably not be what they'll do in their new posts. George Steel will be programming for a much bigger house in a city without such a large and varied audience as New York's. Mortier, similarly, will have to address audience tastes that aren't what he's used to. I hope that both of them manage to push the envelope.
Posted by: John Branch | August 14, 2008 at 01:03 PM