Gerard Mortier at the Monnaie. The Interviews

Gerard Mortier headed the Brussels opera (The Monnaie) from 1981 to 1991. They were turbulent and beautiful years, years in which Mortier raised the artistic level of the house substantially. He created a new repertoire, a new public, and a new style of operatic interpretation, thereby invigorating artistic life in Belgium and abroad. Mortier endeavored to create a general model for the management of operatic production, an essential element of which was an active communication policy. He explained, argued, discussed, and created interest through a barrage of interviews, articles, lectures, radio and television appearances, press conferences, and direct appeals. During this period he gave at least 140 (often substantial) individual interviews to the press. These dealt with every aspect of Mortier's involvement and as such represent a rich source of written documentation of an important and exciting period in theatrical history. This book is devoted to a discussion of the main themes contained in the interviews, based on copious excerpts from the interviuws themselves. The work is written for all those interested in the history, management and performance practice of opera, Belgian cultural life, and the press.