16 replies to this topic

[Mel Johnson]

Well, the Nutcracker premiered on a double bill with Tchaikovsky's "Iolanthe" as a light relief to the dark story of the opera.  And didn't Pas de Quatre premiere on a triple bill with Rossini's opera "Moise" and something else strictly instrumental?  Monster Mixed Bills were not unusual in the 19th century.  Gottschalk used to give orchestral concerts that would go on for 5 and 6 hours - he needed the time to marshall all those people he would have on the program (ever hear his arrangement of the "William Tell Overture" for 10 pianos?)

[Alexandra]

Thanks for that, Mel.  I think there was a tradition of mixed arts until fairly recently.  We've ended up talking about mixed subscription series as a kind of spin off from the original topic, which was why ballet programming at the Kennedy Center had gone awry.  The article has a lot of information about funding, and the balance between pop art and fine art, and repertory selection, etc.  If you have a chance, take a look at it and let us know if it raises any questions, or ideas.