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    LIBRARY OPERA
March 19, 2010

Library caters to local fans of opera

Met broadcasts inspire growth of library collection

By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS

TRAVERSE CITY -- It's not quite Paris or Milan. But Traverse City is turning into an opera city, thanks in part to the Met: Live in HD series at the State Theatre.

Area audiences have long been listening to Interlochen's Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and attending its opera workshop performances. But the State Theatre's more recent live feed performances -- coupled with Carmike Cinemas' filmed performances -- have led to a renewed interest in the art form.

And that, in turn, has led to a growing interest in the Traverse Area District Library's opera collection, said library director Metta Lansdale.

To keep pace the library is expanding its collection, developed largely under former director and classical music enthusiast Mike McGuire. Lansdale said she hasn't identified a specific amount for opera acquisitions but is encouraging library Sight and Sound department head Aaron Olson to direct as much of his resources as he wants to opera in support of the State's broadcasts.

"Having the Met come to Traverse City is huge," Lansdale said. "Because of the broadcasts people who love opera or never thought they loved opera will come back to the library."

Currently the library has about 310 opera CDs -- mostly older -- and about 20 newer DVDs, Olson said. And more are being added all the time.

"As budget allows, we make sure we have the materials available for the renewed interest," Olson said of the combined collection, displayed with a Mozart opera poster, a schedule of the State's Met broadcasts and a whimsical bird sculpture in bow tie.

"Video and filmmaking of opera has improved, so accessibility is up and the quality is much better. Opera CD and DVD sales are up nationally; it's not just us," he said.

Library aide Bob Smith assists Olson in selecting new opera titles, with a focus on DVDs. A classical music and opera expert who worked as an editor for the online information service allmusic.com, Smith said he bases his choices partly on opera reviews. He also previews DVDs at home.

"On my days off I've been seeing one a day -- and they've been wonderful," said Smith, who has attended the opera in Chicago, New York and Paris. "I'm pleased with my choices. I just think that those who are interested in the opera series at the State might like to expand their horizons and I'd like to help them do that."

Mozart is a favorite of Smith, 71, who began listening to classical music as a teen in Florida and later haunted Orchestra Hall while living in Chicago. But the library's collection represents scores of other composers and operas -- from Jean-Philippe Rameau's 18th-century "Zoroastre" to contemporary American composer John Adams's "Doctor Atomic."

"I've added some incredible productions of newish operas and I would go for a lot more of that if I got the go-ahead," Smith said. Also on his to-order list: light operas that are "tuneful, frothy and fun."

"That's something we don't have much of," he said. "There isn't a single Gilbert and Sullivan operetta in our collection."

Meanwhile Smith is writing reviews of the library's existing classical music and opera holdings to post on the "staff picks" section of the library's Web site. As the facility's "classical music guru," he also talks about opera with interested patrons.

"We have an extensive classical music collection and to have someone on staff like Bob who knows opera is really a big deal," Lansdale said.

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