Who said the arts and money are mutually exclusive enterprises? On the contrary, they are mutually dependent, according to West Windsor’s Scott Altman, co-founder with his wife, Lisa, of the New Jersey Opera Theater.
“”We have been able to do some things that no other opera theater in New Jersey has been able to do,”” says Altman, who serves as artistic director of NJOT. “”The reason why we have been successful is because everything we do is based on sound fiscal planning.””
Altman says that one of the reasons he and his wife started New Jersey Opera Theater (NJOT) was because they wanted to be sure their two-year-old son, Zachary, was offered the opportunity to experience and study opera. “”Looking through his eyes,”” says Altman, “”it was impossible to let his arts education falter in this time of education cuts.””
To this end, NJOT’s initial focus has been to build its base on providing a solid arts education program. But now, as NJOT enters its second full year (third overall), Altman says that the time is right to add a main stage component to NJOT’s repertoire. This summer the company is offering performances featuring established and emerging artists in three mainstage operas – including Mozart’s “”Don Giovanni””, a concert series, as well as a week of master classes presented by music professionals. Most of the progams are offered in the intimate (and financially modest) confines of Princeton University’s Hamilton Murray Center.
Even in the best economy, surviving as an arts organization is a tough proposition. But in the current difficult economic climate, it can seem downright impossible. Last year, after 19 years as one of the state’s preeminent arts associations, the Opera Festival of New Jersey was forced to close its doors. Faced with mounting budget deficits, its trustees elected to dissolve the company last November.
Altman constantly balances the arts versus economics question. In order to survive, Altman says that artists and arts organizations must be careful not to grow too big too fast. “”We will not program something if it is not fiscally sound,”” says Altman. “”There are some who have made the mistake of allowing the artistic aspects to run away from the fiscal aspects.”” While the temptation is always there, Altman says, artists must avoid placing the artistic cart before the financial horse.
So far, the Altmans’ plan is working. In its 18 months of existence, NJOT has taken small artistic steps, allowing its reputation to build. The result has been some dramatic economic growth. In its first (albeit partial) year NJOT operated with a budget of $7,”000. This grew to $50,”000 last year in its first full year of existence. This year the operating budget will be an impressive $200,”000.
Despite its non-profit status, NJOT will not be eligible for government funds until February, 2005. Altman says that one way NJOT has been able to fulfill its financial needs is due to the generosity of such corporate sponsors as Yamaha, Disney, Wegman’s, Target, and Janssen Pharmaceutical Products. “”There are a lot of great people who believe in what we are doing,”” he says. NJOT has also just received a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which Altman calls a kind of “”stamp of approval.””
But corporate sponsors also help in ways other than donating dollars. Yamaha has donated a grand piano to NJOT that is the same kind used at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The Lawrenceville Inn is providing gourmet food for the opening of Don Giovanni, and Wild Oats, in Princeton, is providing the food for closing night.
A bass-baritone with a smoothly dynamic voice, Altman sings with the New York City Opera and also is a professional voice teacher in West Windsor. He says that he currently has some openings available and adds that there are no age restrictions. “”I love the sparkle in the eyes of a young person new to the experience of voice, as well as the polished expertise of the professional,”” he says.
His wife, Lisa, is a soprano who gave up performing several years ago. “”Lisa is really the financial whiz behind our company,”” says Altman. She has previously also worked as an arts administrator at Sony Music Entertainment as well as at the now-defunct Opera Festival of New Jersey. She left in 2002, one year before it closed its doors.
Altman says that both he and his wife Lisa – who serves as executive director – regularly work 150 hours a week on NJOT, yet draw no salary. The Altmans, who are now busily putting the finishing touches on their new home in the Charter Club neighborhood of West Windsor, lived in Plainsboro the previous four and a half years. With a young son, the hours it takes to build the New Jersey Opera Theater from the ground up are particularly demanding. But Altman believes that it is worth it.
“”Opera is the greatest art form,”” he says. “”It encompasses many different art forms such as music, theater, dance, and the visual arts. (The experience of opera) combines many forces and comes directly through the voice, via the soul. It is also the fastest growing art form. We are looking forward to bringing accessible vocal performances to the region and the state for generations to come.””
– Jack Florek
Master Class Series, Woolworth Center, Princeton University. Friday, August 13, Mark Rucker and Jane Brunnell, 1 p.m. $15.
Mozart’s “”Don Giovanni,”” sung in Italian with supertitles, Monday, August 16, 7:30 p.m., and Friday, August 20, 8 p.m., Hamilton Murray Theater on the Princeton University campus. $25.
Benjamin Britten’s “”Albert Herring,”” conducted by Daniel Beckwith of the Metropolitan Opera. In English, Tuesday, August 17, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 21, 8 p.m., Hamilton Murray Theater. $25.
French double bill of Ravel’s “”L’enfant et les Sortileges”” and Offenbach’s “”Ba-Ta-Clan,”” Wednesday, August 18, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, August 22, 2 p.m., Hamilton Murray Hall. Tickets are $25.
A fully-staged evening of musical theater, Thursday, August 19, 7:30 p.m., Hamilton Murray Theater. $20.
Recital by Metropolitan Opera soprano and Plainsboro resident Sharon Sweet, Friday, August 20, Woolworth Center, Princeton University, 1 p.m. $15.
“”American Recital”” featuring baritone Marcus DeLoach, Saturday, August 21, Hamilton Murray Theater, 3 p.m. Register. $20.
For more information on the New Jersey Opera Theater or on studying voice with Scott Altman, call 609-919-1767 or visit www.njot.org. For ticket information call 609-258-7062.
