Editorial

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The year seems to be opening on a positive musical note. Attendance was up at the OdM’s production of Il Trovatore, thanks to Verdi’s popularity and a strong vocal cast. Maison symphonique de Montreal’s main tenants, the OSM and the OM, are seeing full houses due to the new hall’s reduced seating.

However, a dark cloud looms. Music and the arts are not immune to economic forces. The global economic malaise, discussed daily in the media, affects local arts spending. When people are spooked, donations and ticket buying drops and arts organizations feel the pinch.

La Scena Musicale, which derives 80% of its budget from advertising revenues, has also been negatively impacted. In the last two issues, advertising has been down, which explains this leaner February issue.

For this reason, La Scena Musicale’s fundraising efforts take on even more importance. In December, we launched our 2012 donation and subscription campaign. Over 150 of our faithful readers have already given, and we hope more of you will do the same.

Our second annual Singing Valentines Fundraiser again welcomes the participation of the singers of the Atelier lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal. For a donation of $25, you can offer your loved ones a unique valentine on February 14: a song sung by a trained opera singer over the telephone. New this year is the option for an in-person Singing Valentine in Montreal for a $100 donation.

Or, why not offer a pair of opera tickets to the Opéra de Montréal’s May production of Gounod’s Faust? All proceeds from tickets purchased through LSM go to fund our operations. Four dates are available (May 19, 22, 24 & 26) and when ordered by February 14, you get a 25% discount (for subscribers, 15% for non-subscribers), while also saving up to $16 in service fees.

Following a wonderful fundraiser featuring soprano Aline Kutan in December 2010, LSM advisory board member Margaret Lefebvre will host an afternoon of Tea and Trumpet featuring OSM Principal Trumpet Paul Merkelo and pianist Alexandre Vovan at her Westmount residence on February 26, 2012. Seating is limited. Tickets are $125 (including a $100 tax receipt and cocktail reception) and it promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Finally, this issue marks the fourth year anniversary of the Discovery CD partnership with XXI Records. The 30 previous recordings include gems from Maureen Forrester, Oscar Peterson, Pierrette Alarie (solo and a 2-CD set of the Bach B-minor Mass), Huguette Tourangeau, Bouchard-Morissette, Colette Boky, to name but a few. Missed some? You can now purchase our remaining inventory at $6 each or five for $25.

Additionally, all of last year’s 10 Discovery CDs (in MP3 format) as well as the issues of Volume 16 (September 2010 to July-August 2011) in eBook form (PDF or iPad version) are now available as a package for only $9.99. Visit our online store to get yours!

Thank you in advance for your support. Happy year of the dragon!