A New Philosophy of Opera

From “the most imaginative director in the US” (New York Times) comes this generational work with a vision for transforming opera into a powerhouse cultural phenomenon. Visionary director Yuval Sharon has been celebrated as one of the world's most innovative opera impresarios, yet he has never adhered to traditional form, observing that most operas “suffer the dull edge of routine in unimaginative and woefully under-rehearsed productions.” Sharon seeks to disrupt conventions by urging the performance of opera in “non-spaces” like parking lots; amplifying voices; and even performing classic works in reverse order. Surveying the role of opera in America and drawing on his experiences from Berlin to Los Angeles, Sharon lays out his vision for an “anti-elite opera,” which celebrates the imagination and challenges the status quo. Refusing to believe that opera is dying, Sharon maintains that opera has always existed in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. Engaging and accessible, A New Philosophy of Opera, with its advocacy of opera as an “enchanted space” and its revolutionary message, promises to be one of the liveliest opera books in years.

Yuval Sharon is an opera director and a MacArthur fellow. He founded The Industry in Los Angeles and has served as artistic director of the Detroit Opera since 2020. He will direct the Metropolitan Opera's new Ring cycle beginning in 2028.