Managing the Challenges of the Inherited Repertoire: Lead Presentation by Bernard Foccroulle

Opera houses have been filled for years with performances of the European repertoire inherited from the extended 19th century, from Mozart to Puccini. In the 21st century, these works are being re-examined through the lens of contemporary social norms, and many of them are found to revolve around stories that invoke harmful stereotypes, the mistreatment of women, and a culture of oppression. Should these works be dropped from the repertoire? Should they be retold in ways that align with today’s values? What are producers and artists to do?