I always think it's a difficult line to draw between popularising something which is a one-off and making something more accessible in the long-term. Having worked in the music biz, I saw that a LOT - the whole "crossover" market was looked down on by the "serious" musicians and critics, for example, and I really doubt that the advent of people like Charlotte Church, Hayley Westernra and even Katherine Jenkins has increased the popularity of classical music or opera - rather, they've just increased the popularity of certain songs and arias etc.
But that's not to say that people shouldn't try. And they've clearly gone into this to do the best bloody job they can and appeal to the widest possible audience. Had the critics panned it, it would still have sold out and people who saw it would still have had a ball. But they've managed to satisfy both camps (for the most part) and that's not something to be sniffed at!
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branchandroot
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Date: 2011-06-28 08:43 pm (UTC)I always think it's a difficult line to draw between popularising something which is a one-off and making something more accessible in the long-term. Having worked in the music biz, I saw that a LOT - the whole "crossover" market was looked down on by the "serious" musicians and critics, for example, and I really doubt that the advent of people like Charlotte Church, Hayley Westernra and even Katherine Jenkins has increased the popularity of classical music or opera - rather, they've just increased the popularity of certain songs and arias etc.
But that's not to say that people shouldn't try. And they've clearly gone into this to do the best bloody job they can and appeal to the widest possible audience. Had the critics panned it, it would still have sold out and people who saw it would still have had a ball. But they've managed to satisfy both camps (for the most part) and that's not something to be sniffed at!