We asked Bernard A. Greenberg, one of the founders of LA Opera and the current chairman of the Executive Committee, for his memories of LA Opera’s inaugural performance of Otello on October 7, 1986.
As I recall, we were sitting in the middle downstairs around the 10th to 12th row. When the curtain got stuck, I thought “Oh, no! This is not happening!” But then it was over so quickly. Little did I think at that time that we would be constantly reminded of this mishap “courtesy” of [former LA Times critic] Martin Bernheimer.
The one thing I most remember from that night is that the production was a triumph and, finances aside, we were finally, solidly on our way towards establishing a real producing company.
Given our myriad of problems, I sometimes marvel that we are still here. But, notwithstanding the adage that embarking on the presentation of opera creates its own opera, looking back over our 25 years, plus the many years that led up to our October 7, 1986 opening, I am very satisfied and extraordinarily pleased to have been part of this adventure.
By Bernard A. Greenberg
Do you have a special LA Opera memory that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your reminiscences to press@laopera.com