Opera by democracy

Tapestry New Opera Works has decided on a pretty cool way to choose next season's operas to be included in the 30th anniversary Opera To Go revival in March 2010: They're going to hold a vote. Anyone can go to their site and take a look through the choices and cast a vote for the show that they want to see come back. Chicago Opera Theater announced something similar earlier this year except that their votes need to be purchased in what is one of the more innovative opera fundraisers that I've seen. I love these vote-things because not only do companies get feedback into what their audience wants to see but, from the company's standpoint, they develop a built in audience as the people voting will not only become aware of what the company is mounting, they'll also be far more invested in it personally and therefore more likely to buy tickets. Everybody wins!