A little bit of controversy can go a long way

Portland Opera has taken a gutsy stance by allowing patrons to comment on its current production of Turandot (click here to read the postings). Sometimes controversial productions help to stir up the pot and invigorate companies and audiences. I attended the opening of the Canadian Opera Company's new home in the fall of 2006 and experienced a very unsatisfactory (at least in my view) Ring cycle with really weird staging. However, the Canadian Opera Company has gone forward and reported successful finances every year since that opening. Ergo, a controversial production might turn out to be just the right spice for Portland Opera.