Peter Gelb has become synonymous with the New York Met, yet he has only been General Manager for twelve years. Closer to home, for me, is Opera Holland Park where Michael Volpe has been General Director since OHP was founded in 1996.
It was his vision that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea should put on opera under a temporary canopy in front of a facade of Holland House. To begin with it was heavily subsidised with cheap tickets and, frankly, unambitious artistic standards.
That Opera Holland Park can now be spoken of alongside the Big Gs (Glyndebourne, Garsington, the Grange Festival and Grange Park) is a huge achievement by Michael Volpe. I can only imagine the struggles he had along the way and the scope of his achievement was unthinkable, at least to me, twenty years ago. He has got a good orchestra in the City of London Sinfonia, expanded the House to seat 1,000 and improved the canopy and catering facilities. Three years ago he cut OHP adrift from the Borough, no doubt fearing political interference and funding cuts. A risky move but one that through his drive and vision has succeeded. There is a thriving Friends programme and corporate sponsorship (currently Investec) and artistic standards have never been higher.
OHP usually pick one neglected Italian opera and this year they have chosen Isabeau by Pietro Mascagni. It is a landmark in the development of OHP as it is their first joint production; with New York City Opera where it will be on next year.
OHP’s 2018 season opens tonight: La traviata, sponsored by Viking Cruises. I will be there. Other operas this year are Così fan tutte and Ariadne auf Naxos. It is a privilege to have world class opera within thirty minutes walk and I, along with other opera lovers in this part of London, owe a huge debt of gratitude to Michael Volpe for his vision and his success in bringing it to fruition. Bravo, Michael.