An Inconvenient Opera

By Drew

A

s a follow-up to Bobby's post last year about the forthcoming opera based on Algore's An Inconvenient Truth, William Friedkin, the film director of The Exorcist and The French Connection (remind me, how does that qualify him to direct an opera?) has bowed out of the production. Reports vary as to the reasons for Friedkin's departure but the opera's composer, Giorgio Battistelli, criticizes Friedkin for his use of special effects. Perhaps they were going to create too much of a carbon footprint?

Battistelli was quoted as saying, “Opera isn’t Hollywood.” And for that we can all be grateful. But if opera isn't Hollywood, then what is it doing turning this fairy tale into an opera in the first place?