The Boston Lyric Opera announced via email this morning that the planned "Aida On The Common" for September 2006 has been canceled due to a shortfall in corporate sponsorship. Calling off the followup to the acclaimed "Carmen on the Common" of 2002 "was a difficult decision for those of us who took such pride in this program," Lyric General Director Janice Mancini Del Sesto (left) said in a statement. In addition to two free, outdoor opera performances, the "On The Common" deal includes dozens of mini-performances and clinics for community and school groups.
The Lyric raised over $1 million of the $1.4 million needed, but that's not close enough, apparently. Although, this isn't the first time we've seen a worthwhile program very publicly canceled after falling short on a fundraising drive, only to attract a last-minute hero with a checkbook.
I didn't attend the formal "Carmen" performances, but I spent a very pleasant - and very extended - lunch hour that Friday, lolling on the grass, eating a lemon ice and watching a rehearsal from more or less the front row. (Jossie Perez in the title role - oh lala!) This would be a shame.
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