We noticed the Princeton Symphony Orchestra was putting on a concert entitled "The Eternal Feminine," exploring portrayals of womanly characteristics not only in classical music, but also in the visual arts. They are working in conjunction with the Princeton University Art Museum.
Works of music will include pieces by Wagner, Sibelius, Strauss and Debussy. After the performance, they plan a private tour of the art museum.
At the Trout, we performed for people who had never experienced a live operatic performance (no lie!) and yet they were very familiar with visual fine arts. Perhaps we take for granted that if one is interested in the arts, they understand all the individual genres.
This program the Princeton group is performing sounds like a wonderful idea. Putting a cohesive program together in collaboration with another art group ensures a larger audience to draw from, not to mention the opportunity to reach more potential patrons drawn from either group.
This may be a reminder for us in the classical arts that not only do we need to focus on reaching out to those not familiar with the fine arts in general, but also reach out across the isle to those involved in the other disciplines.
Not to mention it is really cool performing musical masterpieces surrounded by an "audience" of artistic masterpieces.
http://www.app.com/article/20101107/ENT/11070301/WHEN-ART-MUSIC-MEET
