VILNIUS, Lithuania: Most New York operagoers are likely to know that the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "Madama Butterfly," which launched Peter Gelb's regime as general manager in September, wasn't really new at all, since it was borrowed from the English National Opera. Many, however, may be unaware that Anthony Minghella's mesmeric treatment of the Puccini tearjerker was actually a co-production of the ENO and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater.
Last spring, when Gelb's initial opening night was still several months away, audiences in the Lithuanian capital were already experiencing the production destined to set New York abuzz.
Globalization means that the Baltic states have become an emerging operatic market, as major Western directors, like foreign corporations, venture off to places like Vilnius to expand operations.
Since Gintautas Kevisas became the theater's general manager four years ago, Vilnius has seen the likes of a Francesca Zambello production of "Der fliegende Holl nder" and a rethought version by G nter Kr mer of his treatment of Hal vy's "La Juive," previously seen in Vienna and New York. Meanwhile, Lithuanian directors like Dalia Ibelhauptait and Eimuntas Nekrosius are finding increased opportunities outside their native country.
Kevisas's idea of bringing bold new productions to Vilnius is apparently paying off. Attendance is up from 65 percent to 90 percent of capacity, with ticket prices performances rising to 170 litas, or about $65, in a country where a decent restaurant meal can be had for under $10. Major star singers sometimes appear, not least the Lithuanian mezzo-turned-soprano Violeta Urmana, but Kevisas apparently believes that money is better spent on productions that will remain in the repertory than on singers who come and go.
The state's Ministry of Culture finances 75 percent of the budget and is currently considering whether to reappoint Kevisas for a second five- year term.
In any case he has ahead of him at least one new production bound to attract attention later this season, a staging by Robert Wilson of Bach's "St. John's Passion" in a co-production with the Th tre du Ch telet in Paris.
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