As many as 366 people from 160 organisations in 40 countries registered for the spring conference spread over the two days 28 and 29 May.
The team from Finnish National Opera, instead of welcoming us to Helsinki as originally planned, gave a tantalising glimpse of their pioneering Opera Beyond project and of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s opera Laila. The first plenary session presented thematic reports on recent developments from six specialist areas, followed by a lively debate. The next day addressed the topic of ‘Planning for an uncertain future’ with alternating presentations from outside and within the profession, which charted step-by-step routes towards recovery.
The first morning session convened current and potential OperaVision partners to consult and agree on steps towards the next stage of the digital platform in 2021 and beyond. The second morning provided a marketplace for 35 cancelled, postponed or new productions, with short video demonstrations about each, which proved an effective means of conveying essential information.
The General Assembly adopted the audited accounts for 2019, and received brief presentations about the fact-finding survey with 14 questions for members to answer early in June; and plans for the next World Opera Day on 25 October.