First Gathering
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Kresge Auditorium
By Ted Farraday, Vice President, Education Programs
Just one week ago, I was in St. Louis for my annual visit to the summer season of the Opera Theater of St. Louis. As some people in here tonight know, opera is the art form I love the most, and have loved ever since I was about 12 years old. As I was listening to the first act of Puccini's La Boheme, which was one of the operas I heard last weekend, I started thinking about all of you.
La Boheme is about four young men, (a writer, a painter, a musician and a philosopher) who have little money and share a very simple apartment in Paris. One of these young artists, Rodolfo, meets a young woman named Mimi. Meeting for the first time, Rodolfo and Mimi introduce themselves to each other and sing one of the most beautiful duets in all of opera. As I was listening to this duet last weekend, what struck me immediately were Rodolfo's first words to Mimi. Those words made me think of this evening, of Interlochen, of all of you who are now here for this incredible summer arts experience.
Rodolfo introduces himself to Mimi by saying, "Who am I? I'm a poet. What do I do? I write." He then goes on to say more about what he writes. When asked the question "Who am I", how do you respond? I hope you say "I am a dancer." "I am an actor" "I am a singer" "I am a writer" "I am a filmmaker"..."I AM AN ARTIST".
What sets you apart from so many of your peers is that you think of yourselves in terms of your art, as does Rodolfo. What you do is what makes you who you are. It defines you. That is a wonderful thing. And I can't think of anything more wonderful than spending time in a place that devotes itself so entirely to helping you become even more the artist you want to be. That is why you are here. There is a sea of faces in front of me here tonight...all of YOU, young artists, aspiring to develop your talent, to become even more accomplished artists than you already are. I hope all of you, when answering the same question Rodolfo answered in La Boheme, will have a similar answer. You will say "I AM AN ARTIST". There is no better response. I wish you all a wonderful summer here pursuing your art.
Thank you.
