The Telegraph | Opera boss Michael Volpe
Our Executive Director, Michael Volpe OBE, has given a wide-ranging interview to The Daily Telegraph (published 20th May 2024) about his new book ‘Do I Bark Like A Dog?’ and discusses, at length, the current situation in the opera world.
The article also addresses the critical issue of arts education in schools.
‘Which brings us on to opera’s other big problem. Volpe reckons there are not enough children getting interested in music, especially at state schools, and we have an “obsession” with kids learning to play instruments. Instead, Volpe says the key is to try and turn children into future audiences by exposing them to the art form in their formative years.’
“We should approach it that way: an hour or two every week, where a classroom of eight-year-olds sit and the teacher says, ‘Right, today, we’re going to listen to a symphony, then we’re going to talk about it and you’re going to write how you feel, what you thought.’”
‘While many of his fellow opera bosses are despairing at their current predicament, Volpe says the chance to change the form for the better must not be missed. “The mood around opera and all classical music is very, very grim. We are under fire and because opera gets all the money, we are an easy target” he says. “But I think there’s a fantastic opportunity.”’